Spring is here, which means it’s time to do some spring cleaning! As a professional cleaner, I’ve learned a lot of useful tips and tricks over the years that help make spring cleaning faster, easier, and more effective. Here are my top spring cleaning tips to help you tackle every nook and cranny in your home this season.
Create a Cleaning Schedule
The key to successful spring cleaning is having a plan of attack. Don’t just randomly start cleaning – make a detailed schedule of what tasks you want to complete each day. This will help you stay organized and make sure every area gets cleaned.
Here’s a sample spring cleaning schedule you can follow:
Week 1
- Monday: Declutter kitchen, wipe down appliances
- Tuesday: Declutter bedroom closets, donate old clothing
- Wednesday: Clean out basement and garage, donate unused items
- Thursday: Declutter bathroom vanities, wipe down mirrors and fixtures
- Friday: Vacuum and mop all floors, clean rugs and mats
Week 2
- Monday: Dust ceiling fans, vents, baseboards, and windowsills
- Tuesday: Declutter living room, clean surfaces and furniture
- Wednesday: Declutter and organize office, shred old documents
- Thursday: Clean windows inside and out
- Friday: Detail clean kitchen appliances – oven, fridge, dishwasher
Having a schedule will keep you motivated and help you tackle cleaning tasks more efficiently room by room.
Declutter First, Then Clean
Before any deep cleaning, it’s important to declutter all spaces. Clutter only accumulates more dust and dirt, making cleaning harder. Go through each room and be ruthless about getting rid of what you no longer need:
- Toss expired food items, old magazines, broken items, and anything you haven’t used in over a year.
- Donate/sell gently used clothing and household items to charity.
- Rehome unwanted furniture, decor, or electronics using online groups.
- File away important documents into proper folders.
Decluttering first will create space needed to clean thoroughly behind and under furniture and appliances. It also prevents dirt and dust from being stirred up and redeposited while cleaning.
Use the Right Cleaning Tools
Having the proper cleaning tools makes cleaning tasks go much smoother. Stock up on essentials like:
- Microfiber cloths: Great for dusting and cleaning delicate surfaces.
- Vacuum with attachments: To reach corners, crevices, curtains.
- Mop: Choose a steam mop or one with washable, reusable pads.
- Cleaning caddy: Tote cleaning supplies from room to room efficiently.
- Duster: Remove dust from blinds, fans, light fixtures.
- Cleaning solutions: All-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, stainless steel polish.
It’s also helpful to have a few sets of microfiber cloths you can alternate between when one gets too dirty. The right tools really do make cleaning easier!
Work from Top to Bottom
When cleaning a room, it’s best to start up high and work your way down. This prevents dust and dirt from falling onto already cleaned surfaces.
Here are the steps I take:
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Dust ceiling fans, vents, light fixtures, and the tops of shelves/cabinets first.
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Clean windows and mirrors.
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Dust and wipe down walls if needed.
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Clean counters, appliances, and sinks.
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Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors last.
By working top to bottom, rooms will look cleaner faster since you won’t be going back over already cleaned surfaces multiple times.
Target Often Missed Areas
When doing a deep clean, don’t forget about those easily overlooked spots that tend to collect dust and grime. Be sure to scrub:
- Window tracks and window sills
- Doorknobs and baseboards
- Ceiling fans blades
- Behind and under appliances
- Inside cabinets and drawers
- Curtain rods and blinds
- Couch and chair cushions
- Lampshades and light switches
Really examining each room closely will help you find and clean every last nook and cranny.
Wash Bedding and Curtains
One of my top spring cleaning tips is to wash all your bedding, curtains, and window treatments. These fabrics accumulate dust, pollen, and odors over the winter months.
- Wash pillows, comforters, mattress pads, and sheets in hot water. Add vinegar or baking soda to help remove odors and brighten whites.
- Machine or hand wash curtains and curtain liners. Use a gentle cycle and air dry.
- Vacuum blinds, then dip a microfiber cloth in warm soapy water to clean between each slat.
Your freshly washed linens will leave bedrooms feeling crisp and renewed for spring.
Scrub Outdoor Surfaces
Once you’ve cleaned inside, head outdoors to tackle patios, decks, outdoor furniture, and play equipment. Give them some extra attention since they were exposed to the elements all winter.
- Power wash patios, decks, and siding to remove grime. Let dry fully before sealing or staining.
- Scrub outdoor furniture with a stiff brush and all-purpose cleaner.
- Disinfect play equipment and wipe down plastic/metal surfaces.
- Sweep debris from porches, paths, and driveways.
Your spring cleaning isn’t complete until high-traffic outdoor areas get some love too.
Enlist Help from Family
Spring cleaning is a big job, so don’t try to tackle it all yourself. Assign cleaning tasks to family members based on their ages and abilities. Giving each person a room or chore will help the process go faster.
- Have kids tidy their rooms, fold laundry, wipe down bathrooms.
- Ask teens to vacuum, dust, clean cars.
- Have spouse tackle windows, appliances, garage.
Working as a family gets your home sparkling clean faster. Then you can all enjoy the fresh start spring brings!
Reward Yourself Afterwards
Once the hard work is done, be sure to reward yourself! Relax and admire your clean home with these refreshing ideas:
- Cook a nice dinner using finally tidy kitchen.
- Soak in a bubble bath now that the tub shines.
- Light candles and lounge on freshly washed sheets.
- Sip coffee on the deck you just power washed.
You’ve earned some “you time” after accomplishing a thorough spring cleaning.
Those are my best tried and true spring cleaning tips after years as a professional cleaner. What are your favorite tricks for getting your home sparkling clean each spring? I’d love to hear your top tips!
