Use This Expert’s Spring Cleaning Checklist for a Fresh and Tidy Home!
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Spring has sprung, which means it’s time to tidy up your home. Spring is one of the best times of year to deep clean your house because the temperatures are warming up, which allows you to open the windows to let the fresh air in and all that dust out.
But trying to figure out what you should tackle to get your home spotless can be daunting. That’s why I went straight to Ashley Kidder, a cleaning expert and chief operating officer at Dashing Maids, to help me create this ultimate spring cleaning checklist.
What You’ll Need
Here is a list of cleaning supplies and tools Kidder says you need for spring cleaning:
Gloves
Microfiber Towels
Grout Brush
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
Dish Soap
Magic Erasers
Vacuum
Plastic Sandwich Bags + Vinegar + Rubber Bands
Baking Soda + Hydrogen Peroxide
Pumice Stone
Spring Cleaning Checklist: General Household Tasks
There are general household tasks that need to be done throughout the entire house. Let’s start with these first, and then we will dive into spring cleaning checklists for various rooms with additional chores you should do.
Dust All Surfaces
Before you begin, open the windows and use an air purifier (like the Rabbit Air A3 Purifier) to reduce airborne dust particles. Since dust settles, start at the top of surfaces and work your way down. Make sure to remove and dust any items on shelves or tables, too.
Wash Doors, Trim, Baseboards, Railings
Kidder says that washing doors, trim, baseboards, and stair railings should be part of your spring cleaning checklist. “Use hot, soapy water with a scratch-free sponge to remove buildup. Then wipe clean with a dry microfiber towel,” she instructs.
Clean Curtains
Kidder says that you can clean your curtains by either keeping them hung up to vacuum them or, depending on the material, you may be able to remove them from the hanging rod and wash them in your washing machine.
Clean Window Tracks
Cleaning window tracks is another task you should tackle in all the rooms. “Spray the track down with an all-purpose cleaner, and scrub clean with a grout brush and sponge. Once all the dirt is agitated, wipe it clean with a microfiber towel,” Kidder instructs.
Deep Clean Light Fixtures
Your light fixtures should be the next item on your spring cleaning checklist. “Use microfiber towels and an all-purpose cleaner to hand clean light fixtures throughout the home,” Kidder says.
Vacuum All Areas and Under Furniture
It’s easy to neglect vacuuming behind and under furniture. So, make it a goal to move appliances and furniture to vacuum all areas of your home. Also, make sure you dust before vacuuming, as dust tends to settle.
Mop the Floors and Shampoo Carpets
Mop tile floors and shampoo the carpets to ensure you clean and sanitize your floors properly and give your home a fresh and tidy feel. Opt for natural, non-toxic cleaners and ones that are pet-friendly if you have fur babies. You can use floor fans to help dry carpets quicker.
Sanitize Touchpoints
According to the Cleveland Clinic, cold germs can live up to a week on some surfaces! You can help evict those germs by sanitizing high-traffic touchpoints. “Use a natural all-purpose cleaner to clean touchpoints such as light switches, door handles, and cabinet pulls, and be sure to let it ‘sit’ so it has time to work properly,” Kidder advises.
Spring Cleaning Checklists for Various Rooms
Spring is the time to go past surface cleaning and get into the nitty gritty spots of your home. Here are some additional tasks you can check off your spring cleaning checklist for various rooms to make your home shine bright:
Bathrooms
It’s easy to try to speed clean bathrooms, but there are some places that will need extra attention, such as:
Wash Shower Liner
You should wash your shower liner at least once a month, so if you’ve skipped it, it is an essential part of your spring cleaning checklist. Kidder says that most liners can be washed on a cold, gentle cycle in your washing machine, but you should check the label for specific instructions.
Deep Clean Faucets and Fixtures
Hard water buildup not only takes the luster out of faucets and fixtures but can also reduce water flow. “Fill a plastic sandwich bag with white vinegar, place it around your faucet so the entire head is submerged in vinegar, and use a rubber band to hold the bag in place while the vinegar works to break down the hard water buildup,” Kidder instructs.
You want to leave it sit for at least 1 hour or even overnight, depending on buildup. She informs that you should not let it soak for more than 30 minutes on brass or nickel-coated surfaces.
Clean Out Cabinets and Drawers
Kidder says you should work shelf by shelf and get rid of things you no longer use or need. For makeup and body care, be sure to check the expiration date, and remember to wash your makeup brushes, too.
She says you can clean each shelf with an all-purpose cleaner and a microfiber towel before returning stored items.
Deep Clean your Grout
Last but not least, Kidder says you should include deep cleaning your grout in your spring cleaning checklist. She advises creating a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and using a hard-bristled grout brush to scrub the paste into the grout to remove the buildup.
Kitchen
Roll up your sleeves, grab some gloves, and make sure you address these areas of your kitchen:
Clean Out the Pantry and Cabinet Shelves
Kidder says to work shelf by shelf and get rid of things you no longer use or need. Make sure to wipe out cabinets before returning any items you are going to keep.
Clear Out the Junk Drawer
Ah, the infamous junk drawer that every home seems to magically have. It’s time to stop avoiding that overflowing drawer and finally clear it out.
“Be honest with yourself about what you actually need because over the next few months, even more random items will get stored in here, so now is the time to clean it out and make more room,” Kidder says.
Deep Clean Oven
“Create a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to the oven's interior, let it sit, then spray with vinegar, and finally wipe clean with a damp cloth,” Kidder instructs.
She continues, “Use a wet pumice stone to buff out any touch spots that don’t come clean with the above method.”
Deep Clean the Fridge
Fridges can get funky, and they have a lot of nooks and crannies that need to be cleaned out. Wipe down all the shelves, drawers, and seals to give it a good cleaning. Kidder says you can use hot soapy water and a magic eraser to clean the outside of your fridge.
However, you should always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions before cleaning any surface to ensure you don’t use any chemicals or products that are not recommended.
Clean Appliances and Garbage Disposal
Kidder says you should follow instructions from the manufacturer for all small appliances. Here are some examples of ways you can clean some of your small appliances as long as the instructions state it’s safe to do so:
Espresso machine/Coffee Maker: Descale with vinegar
Air fryer: Wash the parts you can with warm, soapy water
Microwave: Use lemon in water, microwave on high, then wipe clean
Garbage Disposal: Run the garbage disposal with baking soda and vinegar inside
Bedrooms
In addition to the general tasks such as wiping walls, dusting, and vacuuming, there are a few more things to check off your bedroom spring cleaning checklist, such as:
Wash Mattress Pads, Duvet Covers, and Pillows
Deep Clean and Rotate Your Mattress
Clean Under the Bed
Clean Closet and Declutter Wardrobe
Laundry Room
The laundry room is another area that needs to be included in your spring cleaning checklist. Do these tasks to tidy up your laundry room this season:
Declutter: Clear out any items that don’t belong in the laundry room, get rid of what you don’t need, and put items you keep where they belong.
Dust & Wipe Surfaces: Dust shelves, countertops, and any appliances, including the washer and dryer
Deep Clean Appliances: Clean the washing machine (run a cycle with white vinegar or a washing machine cleaner, but always refer to manufacturers instructions for what product to use)
Drain & Clean Washing Machine Filter: Kidder states that this will depend on the manufacturers' instructions, but it simply requires accessing the filter, draining some fluid, washing the filter, and replacing it.
This expert guide will ensure you don’t miss anything on your spring cleaning checklist. Of course, every household is different, and you may have to curtail it to your needs, such as if you have children and/or pets. Remember to wear protective gear while cleaning, and do not expose your kids or pets to any chemicals.
If you don’t feel up to spring cleaning yourself this year, you can also hire a professional cleaning company like Dashing Maids to do the deed for you!
Plus, don’t forget to grab the free blank categorized cleaning list below!