Spring is the perfect time to declutter and deep clean your home. As the weather warms up and you open your windows to let in the fresh air, it’s motivating to freshen up your living spaces as well. This guide will walk you through sustainable tips to declutter room-by-room and then deep clean using non-toxic products you may already have at home.
Why Declutter and Deep Clean
There are many benefits to giving your home a deep clean and removing clutter this spring:
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Better organization – Decluttering gets rid of items you no longer need or use so everything has a home. This makes cleaning faster since there are fewer things to move or work around.
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Happier home – Clutter can create a feeling of chaos. Decluttering and cleaning clears out negative energy and welcomes in a fresh start.
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Eco-friendly routine – Sustainable cleaning techniques reduce waste and your exposure to harsh chemicals. It’s better for your health and the planet.
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Increased productivity – Clean and clutter-free spaces help you focus. You won’t waste time looking for things either.
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Safety check – Decluttering and deep cleaning gives you a chance to check the condition of your possessions. Identify anything that needs to be repaired or replaced.
Room-by-Room Decluttering Tips
Go through your home systematically to make decluttering feel manageable. Here are some tips for each room:
Kitchen
- Clear countertops completely – work in sections.
- Check expiration dates and discard expired food.
- Donate unopened food you won’t use.
- Go through cabinets and drawers. Toss or donate duplicate and unneeded items.
- Give away chipped, cracked, or unused cookware and dishes.
- Reorganize shelves so most used items are easily accessible.
Living Room
- Sort through surfaces like coffee tables, bookshelves, and side tables. Remove clutter.
- Go through all storage like baskets, shelves, TV cabinets. Toss or donate anything you don’t use or display.
- Remove books, magazines, and media you won’t re-read or re-watch. Donate or recycle.
- Vacuum under furniture cushions and behind furniture to remove dust and hidden objects.
Bedrooms
- Make the bed nicely before decluttering for a clean slate.
- Clear surfaces like nightstands, dressers, and desks.
- Clean out closets. Donate or consign clothes that don’t fit or you never wear.
- Go through dresser drawers and remove items you don’t use.
- Check under the bed. Toss or donate anything that’s been collecting dust under there.
- Remove unused decor, especially bulky items. Donate or sell.
Bathrooms
- Remove all items from countertops, cabinets, and drawers. Clean then only return essentials.
- Go through towels and linens. Toss stained, torn, or tattered items. Donate unneeded extras.
- Toss expired medicines, dried up beauty products, and old razors.
- Look inside the shower and under the sink. Remove unused products or equipment.
Garage/Basement
- Discard or donate broken or unused furniture and sports equipment.
- Recycle containers of old chemicals, paints, cleaners, and automotive products. Contact your local waste management company for hazardous material disposal if needed.
- Sort through boxes. Repack storage containers neatly with labeled contents after purging.
- Hold a yard sale or sell larger items online to earn extra cash.
Eco-Friendly Deep Cleaning Supplies
Deep clean your thoroughly decluttered spaces using natural products you may already have at home:
- Baking soda – Deodorizes, polishes, scrubs.
- White vinegar – Disinfects, degreases, removes stains.
- Lemon – Refreshes, bleaches, cuts grease and grime.
- Hydrogen peroxide – Disinfects, brightens, deodorizes.
- Coarse salt – Scours, deodorizes.
- Liquid castile soap – Multi-purpose cleaner.
- Microfiber cloths – Lift and remove dirt without chemicals.
- Essential oils – Unite cleaning power with natural scents. Lavender is calming. Peppermint and citrus energize.
Room-by-Room Deep Cleaning Checklist
Tackle deep cleaning room-by-room using your natural products and some elbow grease. Here are the key tasks for each area:
Kitchen
- Wash inside of fridge and freezer.
- Clean stove top, inside oven, and vent hood.
- Scour sinks and countertops.
- Wash cabinets inside and out.
- Sweep and mop floors.
- Shake out rugs.
- Dust lighting fixtures.
- Polish stainless steel appliances.
- Descale kettle and coffeemaker.
Living Room
- Dust shelves, surfaces, and electronics.
- Clean mirrors, windows, and glass.
- Fluff and rotate cushions. Vacuum upholstery.
- Wash curtains and blinds.
- Shampoo rugs and carpets.
- Dust ceilings fans and lampshades.
- Wash walls and lighting.
Bedrooms
- Strip bedding and wash – sheets, duvet/comforter, pillows.
- Dust and polish furniture.
- Vacuum mattress. Flip and rotate.
- Clean windows, mirrors, and screens.
- Shampoo rugs. Steam clean carpets.
- Dust ceiling fans and lampshade.
- Wash bedskirt and mattress pad.
Bathrooms
- Disinfect all surfaces – counters, toilet, tub, shower, floors.
- Descale showerhead and faucets.
- Clean tile and grout.
- Wash mirrors and windows.
- Sweep and mop floor.
- Clean out cabinets, medicine cabinet, and drawers.
Basement/Garage
- Sweep out cobwebs and dust.
- Mop floor.
- Wash windows and screens.
- Dust shelves and storage containers.
- Hose down outdoor surfaces.
- Clean out garbage cans.
- Tidy tools and workspace.
Focus on a few rooms per week so the decluttering and deep cleaning tasks feel manageable, not overwhelming. The fresh start will be worth the effort!