The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring is a time of renewal and fresh starts. As the weather warms up, many people feel motivated to do some deep cleaning and get organized. A thorough spring cleaning can make your home look and feel cleaner, fresher, and more inviting. Below is the ultimate spring cleaning checklist to help you tackle every nook and cranny.

Do a Walkthrough and Make a Plan

Before pulling out the cleaning supplies, do a walkthrough of your entire home to identify areas that need attention. As you go from room to room, make a list of tasks you want to complete. This will help you prioritize and budget your time wisely.

Consider making a detailed cleaning schedule outlining which areas you will tackle on which days. Breaking up the big job into smaller daily tasks makes spring cleaning feel less overwhelming.

Here are some areas to inspect and add to your spring cleaning checklist:

• Kitchen
• Bathrooms
• Bedrooms
• Living room
• Dining room
• Home office
• Entryway
• Garage
• Outdoor areas

Deep Clean the Kitchen

The kitchen tends to attract grease, food spills, and grime, so it deserves special attention.

• Clean inside cabinets and drawers. Remove everything, wipe down the inside surfaces, and neatly organize items when you put them back.

• Scrub the oven and stove top. Use oven cleaner and a stiff brush to remove baked-on spills.

• Clean small appliances. Wipe down the outside of appliances and make sure they are free of food debris.

• Clean inside the refrigerator and freezer. Toss expired foods, wipe down shelves, and wash removable parts.

• Wipe down surfaces. Use disinfecting wipes or all-purpose cleaner for countertops, the sink, backsplash, and any exposed grease or dirt.

• Sweep, mop, and vacuum the floors. Move appliances to get underneath them.

• Clean windows, screens, and sills. Use glass cleaner for any window grime.

• Check for clutter and organize. Decide what you really need in your kitchen. Donate unused items.

Scrub the Bathrooms

Bathrooms also require heavy-duty cleaning. Be sure to:

• Clean the toilet bowl, tank, lid, seat, base, and behind the toilet. Use a toilet bowl brush and an all-purpose bathroom cleaner.

• Scrub the tub/shower walls and floor. Remove built-up soap scum and mildew.

• Disinfect the sink and countertops. Use a non-abrasive bathroom cleaner and rinse well.

• Shine the mirror and wipe down any cabinets. Use glass cleaner on mirrors. For cabinets, use a mild soap and water solution.

• Check for grime in crevices and corners. Use an old toothbrush to scrub grout and the space between the tub and tiles.

• Freshen up towels and shower curtains. Wash or replace linens.

• Sweep and mop floors. Get into corners and along baseboards.

• Take out trash and clutter. Discard old products and organize what remains.

Refresh the Bedrooms

Bedrooms accumulate dust and often turn into clutter zones. Here are some key tasks:

• Wash bed linens. This includes sheets, pillowcases, comforters, and blankets.

• Wipe down bed frames and headboards. Use a wood cleaner or mild soap solution.

• Clean under the bed. Pull everything out and vacuum or mop the floor. Toss anything you don’t need.

• Dust furniture, windowsills, and baseboards. Use a microfiber cloth.

• Clean windows and screens. Use glass cleaner.

• Shake out rugs and vacuum carpet. Get into corners and along edges.

• Organize closets. Donate or toss what you don’t wear. Neatly arrange what remains.

• Clear out clutter. Put items where they belong or discard them.

Tidy and Disinfect Other Living Areas

Here are some tips for cleaning the main living areas:

Living Room

• Vacuum and clean all furniture, including under cushions.
• Dust shelves, windowsills, light fixtures, ceiling fans.
• Clean windows, screens, doors.
• Shampoo or steam clean carpets if needed.

Dining Room

• Clean table, chairs, and any other furniture.
• Dust shelving, window treatments, and light fixtures.
• Clean windows, sills, and screens.
• Sweep, mop, and vacuum floors.

Home Office

• File away paper clutter and shred unneeded documents.
• Clean computer, keyboard, phone, and other electronics.
• Dust bookshelves, windowsills, and other surfaces.
• Vacuum floors and wipe down baseboards.

Entryway

• Clean entry flooring and windows.
• Sanitize doorknobs and switches.
• Dust furniture and decorative items.
• Organize cabinets, hooks, benches.

Clean and Organize the Garage

The garage often turns into a messy storage zone. A good spring cleaning here can free up a lot of space.

• Sweep floors. Use a stiff broom to clean corners and walls too.

• Organize tools, sports gear, and hardware. Label bins or storage containers. Toss damaged items.

• Clean garden tools. Remove dirt and debris. Sharpen tools that need it.

• Discard hazardous chemicals that are expired or no longer needed. Check if your community has a hazardous waste collection day.

• Clean windows and screens. This lets more light into the space.

• Clear clutter. Donate or throw away what you no longer use.

• Wash garage doors. Use a garden hose and all-purpose cleaner.

• Inspect garage door opener. Clean and lubricate the chain if needed.

Refresh Outdoor Living Areas

Your spring cleaning checklist wouldn’t be complete without tending to outdoor areas, including:

• Porches and patios – Sweep away dirt and leaves. Clean railings, furniture, and lights.

• Windows – Wash exterior windows and screens.

• Doors – Wipe down outdoor doors. Clean glass inserts if applicable.

• Outdoor toys/furniture – Clean and disinfect. Make repairs if needed.

• Gutters and roof – Clear out any debris. Inspect roof for damage.

• Lawn tools/equipment – Clean off dirt and make any repairs. Fuel up for the season.

• Grill – Deep clean the grill surface and clear out ash/grease traps.

Following this detailed checklist will get your whole home looking refreshed for spring. Break big tasks down into smaller daily cleaning sessions. Enlist help from family members too. The sense of accomplishment will make all your hard work worthwhile.