Spring Cleaning Checklist: A Room-by-Room Guide to a Fresh Home
Spring has arrived, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to give your home a thorough cleaning as the days start to get lighter (and you can see more of the dust!). While it might sound like a daunting task, a well-organised spring cleaning checklist can help you tackle each room step by step, ensuring no nook or cranny is left untouched. In this guide, I’ll share a room-by-room breakdown of cleaning tasks, along with deep cleaning tips to leave your home feeling fresh and revitalized for the season ahead!
Your Easy to Follow Spring Cleaning Checklist!
Kitchen
Spring cleaning the kitchen can seem like a big job, but if you take it step by step it should seem more achievable.
- Clear the Clutter: Begin by decluttering countertops and cabinets. Pull everything out and clean the cupboards, then put things back. Donate or discard items you no longer need or use and you’ll be amazed how much more space you have!
- Deep Clean Appliances: Clean the oven, microwave, refrigerator (inside and out), and dishwasher. Don’t forget to wipe down the toaster and coffee maker if you have them – I think we must be the only house in our village without a microwave!
- Cabinets and Drawers: Remove items from cabinets and drawers, clean the interior, and reorganise. Replace shelf liners if needed. This is a great chance to organise your cutlery drawer and treat yourself to a new drawer organiser.
- Worktops and Backsplash: Wipe down worktops/countertops and backsplash, paying special attention to grout lines. Polish granite or stone surfaces.
- Sink and Taps: Scrub the sink and taps, and check for any leaks or issues.
- Floors: Sweep and mop the floors, and consider applying a floor wax or sealant for added shine (if your flooring is the right kind!).
Deep Cleaning Tip: For stainless steel appliances, use a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar to clean and remove streaks.
Living Room
A great spring cleaning tip is to start at the top of a room and work your way down, leaving the floors until last. This way you don’t undo all the floor cleaning!
- Dust and Vacuum: Dust all surfaces, including shelves, electronics, and decorations. Vacuum the carpets and upholstery, giving cushion covers and blankets a wash.
- Deep Clean Furniture: If applicable, clean and condition leather furniture. For fabric upholstery, check for manufacturer cleaning recommendations and treat any stains. A great way to clean fabric sofas is to use a dishwasher tablet – simply dissolve one in a bowl of warm water and dip a microfibre cloth in the mixture. Wrap this cloth around a pot lid and use this to wipe over your sofas – so easy!
- Windows and Window Treatments: Wash windows, clean blinds or curtains, and replace or wash window screens. Use a window cleaner or white vinegar to leave a streak-free finish.
- Electronics: Clean TV screens, remote controls, and other electronics with a microfibre cloth. Dust and tidy up entertainment centres. Get rid of anything that doesn’t work any more or that you don’t need, such as old games consoles or games.
- Declutter: Organise shelves – remove items that no longer serve a purpose, and donate or discard them. Decide what soft furnishings you want to keep and what doesn’t suit your decor any more.
- Flooring: Depending on your flooring type, vacuum, sweep, mop, or deep clean as needed. Clean any rugs or floor mats.
Deep Cleaning Tip: Use a lint roller to clean lampshades, removing dust and pet hair.
Bathroom
- Clear Counters and Cabinets: Remove items from countertops and cabinets, declutter, and clean the interior. I like to take everything out, clean the containers and then put everything back, deciding what to keep as I go along. Get rid of toiletries that you no longer use.
- Sink and Taps: Scrub the sink, taps, and handles. Check for any leaks and address them before they get worse.
- Toilet: Thoroughly clean the toilet bowl, tank, and exterior. Don’t forget the flush handle.
- Shower and Tub: Scrub tiles, grout, and the showerhead. Clean the bathtub, including taps and fixtures.
- Mirrors and Glass: Clean mirrors and any glass surfaces, such as shower doors, with specialist cleaner or white vinegar which will leave a streak-free finish.
- Floor and Baseboards: Sweep and mop the floor, and wipe down baseboards using a damp microfibre cloth.
- Change Linens: Replace shower curtains, bath mats, and towels if they’re looking worn or stained.
Deep Cleaning Tip: Use a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub away grime and soap scum in the shower or bathtub.
Bedroom
As part of this spring cleaning checklist, it’s essential to tackle the bedrooms. For each one, go through the following:
- Declutter: Start by decluttering your bedroom. Donate or discard clothing, shoes, and items you no longer need.
- Dust and Vacuum: Dust all surfaces, including dressers, nightstands, and decor. Vacuum carpets and clean under the bed.
- Bedding: Strip the bed and wash all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and comforters. I like to do this every week.
- Windows and Curtains: Clean windows and wash or vacuum curtains, blinds, or shades.
- Closets and Drawers: Organise closets and drawers, discarding items you no longer wear or need. Consider reorganising your storage space if it’s not working for you.
- Mattress: Rotate or flip the mattress, and vacuum it to remove dust and allergens. If you have time, you can freshen up your mattress by sprinkling baking soda on it and leaving for a few hours to absorb any smells, before vacuuming off.
- Flooring: Depending on your flooring type, vacuum, sweep, mop, or deep clean as needed.
Deep Cleaning Tip: Use a fabric freshener or lightly spray your mattress with a mixture of water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil to keep it smelling fresh.
Home Office
- Desk and Surfaces: Clear your desk and surfaces, dusting and wiping them down. Organise cables and cords to stop them ending up as a tangled mess.
- Electronics: Clean computer screens, keyboards, and other electronics using appropriate cleaning products.
- Files and Papers: Organise paperwork and files, shredding or recycling what you no longer need. This is always a big job in our house – the paper just seems to multiply!
- Bookshelves and Shelving Units: Dust and organise books and materials on shelves. If there is anything you no longer need, either discard or donate it to charity if possible.
- Furniture: Dust and clean furniture, including chairs, cabinets, and any office decor.
- Windows and Lighting: Clean windows, blinds, or curtains, and ensure proper lighting for your workspace.
- Flooring: Vacuum or sweep the floor and clean it as needed.
Deep Cleaning Tip: Use compressed air or a small brush to clean out dust and crumbs from your computer keyboard. Don’t use your vacuum cleaner (as I found out! I ended up with a laptop with half the keys missing after I did this 🤦♂️)
Entryway and Hallways
- Shoe Storage: Declutter and organise shoe storage areas. Consider donating or discarding shoes you no longer wear.
- Coat and Bag Storage: Clear out coats, jackets, bags, and accessories. Clean and reorganise your coat rack or storage solutions.
- Entryway Furniture: Dust and clean entryway furniture like benches, tables, or shelves.
- Floor Mats: Shake out or clean floor mats and rugs, and consider replacing or washing them.
- Lighting: Clean light fixtures and replace any burnt-out bulbs.
- Windows and Doors: Wash windows and clean or replace weatherstripping as needed.
- Declutter: Organize any clutter like mail, keys, or items that tend to accumulate in these areas. If you tend to get a build up of these items, a bowl or basket can make them look tidier.
Deep Cleaning Tip: Use a microfibre cloth to clean and polish doorknobs and handles.
Outdoor Areas
- Garden and Yard: Clear debris, prune plants, and prepare your garden for spring. Clean outdoor furniture and cushions.
- Windows and Screens: Wash exterior windows and clean or repair window screens.
- Patio or Deck: Sweep and clean your patio or deck. Consider pressure washing for a deeper clean.
- Garage: Declutter and organise the garage, disposing of items you no longer need.
- Gutters: Clean out gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage.
- BBQ Grill: If you have a BBQ grill, clean the grates and check the propane or charcoal supply.
- Exterior Maintenance: Inspect the exterior of your home for any maintenance or repair needs, such as peeling paint or loose siding.
Deep Cleaning Tip: To remove stains or mildew from outdoor furniture cushions, use a mixture of water, mild soap, and a soft brush or cloth.
Spring cleaning is an opportunity to refresh your living space and create a clean, organized, and inviting environment. Following this comprehensive room-by-room Spring Cleaning checklist will help you tackle the tasks systematically, ensuring that no area is overlooked. Whether you’re deep cleaning carpets, purging clutter, or polishing surfaces, the effort you put in will leave your home feeling revitalized and ready for the season ahead.
Remember to pace yourself, enlist help if needed, and take breaks to avoid burnout. You don’t have to do this all in one day! Set aside a few weekends to tackle this as a gradual spring clean. With a well-executed spring cleaning routine following this Spring Cleaning checklist, you can enjoy a cleaner, more organised, and refreshed living space, setting the stage for a bright and joyful season. Happy cleaning!
If you need extra cleaning tips, I’ve gathered together some of the best cleaning advice on Pinterest.
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