Spring Cleaning Checklist: Your Guide to a Cleaner Home

Spring is almost here, and we're all looking forward to warmer weather. But before you dive into outdoor fun, tackle this ultimate spring cleaning checklist to breathe some fresh air into your space.

After saying goodbye to winter, it's time to throw open your windows and your cabinet full of cleaning supplies. A thorough cleaning of your entire house can make a big difference in how your home feels. From cleaning light fixtures to resealing grout lines, every little step helps rejuvenate your space.

Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with an easy-to-follow deep-cleaning checklist to keep you on track. As the flowers bloom and the birds serenade, your house shouldn't feel like it's stuck in winter. Here’s how to spring clean so you can freshen up your home and get a head start on the fun seasons of spring and summer.

Spring Cleaning Your Interior

After a long winter:

• Clean the interior to breathe new life into your home.
• Go beyond the weekly sweeping, dusting, and mopping and deep-clean your home using a practical spring cleaning checklist. Don't let dust and dirt overtake your favorite place to relax.

We know you don't want to spend the first days of the new season indoors with a scrub brush, so spread out the cleaning chores. You can dedicate just a few hours a week or deep-clean one room daily. Tackle one room at a time with our spring cleaning guide, and your entire home will be refreshed and spring-ready!

The Kitchen

• Declutter counters
• Wipe off counters
• Clean counters with a proper cleaning solution
• Sweep the floor
• Mop the floor
• Organize cabinets and dispose of expired food
• Organize the fridge and dispose of expired food
• Organize the freezer and dispose of expired food
• Defrost freezer (if needed)
• Clean the stovetop
• Clean oven (inside and outside)
• Clean microwave (inside and outside)
• Clean and organize utensil drawer
• Inspect fire extinguisher

The kitchen is one of the most cluttered rooms in a home, making it a top priority for your cleaning to-do list. 

Start with the floors: sleep thoroughly to remove loose dirt and crumbs, then mop for a dust-free surface. 

Next, tackle the counters by removing any clutter and wiping them down with a solution of warm water and dish soap. This mixture works well for sticky spots or greasy buildup.

Move on to the fridge and freezer by tossing expired or unwanted items and wiping down the shelves and drawers. If accessible, clean the fridge coils to improve efficiency. 

Your kitchen cabinets and pantry deserve attention, too. Go through the contents to declutter, then clean both the tops and interiors of cabinets with warm, soapy water. Pay extra attention to the pantry and utensil drawer, which tend to collect the most dust builds. 

For the microwave, a quick and natural solution to remove stuck-on food is to place a bowl of water with lemon juice inside and heat it until it boils. The steam will loosen gunk while the lemon helps cut through grease. 

When it comes to the stove and oven, remove stove grates and any detachable parts, cleaning them according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wipe down the stovetop and knobs, using magic erasers, warm water, and baking soda to remove tough residue and grease spots.

Don’t forget about the dishwasher—remove and clean the filter, then run an empty cycle with white vinegar or a dishwasher cleaner to eliminate odors and buildup. 

Finally, take a moment to inspect your fire extinguisher to ensure it’s fully charged and in good working condition. With each task checked off your cleaning checklist, your kitchen will feel refreshed and functional, ready for the new season and the warmer months ahead.

The Bathroom

• Declutter and wipe down counters
• Clean the sink and toilet
• Clean the shower/tub
• Clean mirrors and light fixtures
• Sweep and mop the floor
• Organize cabinets
• Get rid of expired products
• Clean baseboards and towel racks
• Replace or wash shower curtains
• Take out trash and replace liners

Start by vacuuming and wiping the ceiling and walls to keep the surfaces sanitary and prevent build-up. Use the brush attachment to vacuum, and then wipe walls down with a cleaner and soft cloth that doesn't damage painted walls. Your walls could be coated with perfume, hairspray, and other products, so it’s best to clean the walls thoroughly for a fresh, polished look.

Next, it’s time to clean your tub, floors, and sinks. Clean your tub, floors, and sinks. If you have a Bath Fitter tub, follow our guidelines to properly care for your solution. Then, rinse everything from top to bottom, and don’t forget to reseal grout lines with a reliable grout sealer to keep your bathroom looking new. Clean the toilet starting with the tank, and then clean the bowl and base. Use microfiber cloths that don't leave lint. Be sure to wash the microfiber cloths you use in the bathroom before using them anywhere else. 

Wash bathroom rugs in the washing machine to get rid of bacteria and buildup, and then wash mirrors and the insides of windows. Lastly, mop the floor to make your bathroom sparkle. See more bathroom-cleaning tips here.

Bedrooms

• Air out the room
• Clean walls and ceilings
• Dust furniture, lights, and décor
• Wash all bed linens
• Wash window treatments
• Clean windows and mirrors
• Clean baseboards
• Rotate mattresses
• Steam-clean carpets/rugs

Start by airing out your bedroom to reduce germs and allergens. Remove the bed linens and open the windows to let fresh air circulate. If the weather permits, leave the windows open for a few hours to let the room fully air out.

Next, clean all the bed linens in the washing machine. Start with mattress pads and end with bed shams, and make sure to follow care labels while washing each linen. This way, you can arrange them on the beds in order. If you're done with winter bedding, wash it and store it. Before putting new bedding on, rotate your mattress to prevent uneven wear and prolong its life. Simply rotate it 180 degrees for even use and comfort.

Remember the window treatments. Use the fluff cycle on the dryer for light drapes. You can have heavy drapes dry-cleaned or use your vacuum's upholstery attachment. 

Wash window interiors, bedroom mirrors, and steam-clean carpets and rugs. You can use a professional-grade carpet cleaner or rent one.

Baseboards often gather dust and dirt that’s easy to overlook. Wipe down all the baseboards in your bedroom to remove buildup. A damp microfiber cloth is ideal for this task, ensuring that the area is clean and free of dust. 

After cleaning the baseboards, take the time to clean the walls and ceilings in your bedroom. Dust can accumulate on these surfaces over time, so a good wipe-down will help maintain a fresh atmosphere. This also removes any allergens that might be lingering in the air.

Living Areas

• Declutter surfaces and organize furniture
• Dust all surfaces, including shelves, tables, and entertainment centers
• Wipe down lights and ceiling fans
• Clean and vacuum furniture
• Fluff and rotate cushions and pillows
• Vacuum and clean carpets or rugs
• Clean and dust baseboards
• Wipe down windows and window sills
• Clean remote controls, door handles, and light switches
• Organize bookshelves and media items
• Clean and vacuum under furniture
• Wash throw blankets and cushions
• Check carbon monoxide/smoke detector batteries
• Mop hard floors, if applicable

Use an extendable duster to dust hard-to-reach places like ceiling fans, shelves, and the tops of bookcases. These areas often collect dust but are easily overlooked during regular cleaning. 

Next, focus on the sofa and upholstered furniture. These are used daily but rarely cleaned. You can rent an upholstery machine with upholstery wands to clean your furniture.

Wipe your light bulbs with a damp microfiber cloth. A dirty bulb can emit 30% less light, so keeping light fixtures clean is an easy way to improve the brightness of your living room. 

Once the lights are cleaned, you can wash the insides of your windows and wash any window treatments to refresh the space. 

Then, focus on the electronics, since they collect a lot of dust. Spray compressed air into openings and use microfiber cloths to clean them from top to bottom. To ensure you don't push the dust back in, wipe away from ventilation areas. 

Check your carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors to make sure they’re working properly. Replacing and testing batteries is important to keep your home safe.

Lastly, clean the fireplace and store any unused logs. Remove all carpets from the room and clean them with a carpet-cleaning machine to ensure they’re fresh and free of dirt. After washing rugs, remember to clean the lint trap and dryer vent to ensure optimal airflow and prevent fire hazards.

Storage Areas and Closets

• Donate or discard unused items
• Dust shelves and surfaces
• Organize items
• Wipe down walls and floors
• Rotate seasonal items
• Wipe down door knobs
• Clean storage containers
• Vacuum or sweep the floor

Spring cleaning your closets and storage areas is necessary because they hold a lot of clutter. Start by purging and getting rid of everything you don't need. Don't purge based on your feelings because you may never get rid of some things. Pack away winter clothes and the items you won't use for a few months. Pack the clothes and items you haven't used before and donate them. 

Once you've decided which items are staying and which are going, organize them. For the best results, organize closets in a way that's accessible and easy to see. Neatly fold everything and store items in a logical order.

Next, focus on the shelves and surfaces. Dust builds up over time, especially in storage areas where items may sit undisturbed for months. Use a microfiber cloth or duster to clean dust from shelves, bins, and other surfaces. 

Don’t forget to wipe down walls and clean the floors thoroughly, paying attention to corners and baseboards. 

Wipe down door knobs, handles, and light switches, which often get overlooked. These are high-touch areas that can accumulate germs and grime, so a quick clean with a disinfecting wipe or a damp cloth is a simple step that makes a major difference.

If your storage containers look worn or dusty, now is a good time to clean them. Wipe down plastic bins, baskets, or any other containers that hold your items. If they’ve accumulated dirt or dust, wash them with warm, soapy water and dry them thoroughly before putting them back in use.

Spring Cleaning Your Exterior

Winter can wreak havoc on the outside of your house, and spring is the perfect time to pay attention to neglected spaces. Longer days and warmer temperatures may inspire you to clean your home's interior, but cleaning your outdoor spaces is just as important. Make your home's exterior sparkle and prepare for chilling and grilling. 

The Garden 

• Remove dead annuals and rake 
• Trim perennials and prune trees and shrubs
• Remove winter mulch and trim evergreens
• Remove diseased or broken branches 
• Clean garden structures (trellises, archways, pergolas)
• Replace rotted or broken wood pieces 
• Repaint or reseal garden structures

Spend the early days of spring sprucing up your garden with a yard cleanup. Get rid of last year's dead annuals, rake out leaves, and trim perennials. Spring is also the best time to remove winter mulch and prune trees and shrubs that bloom in summer. Most evergreens also need trimming at this time.

Remove diseased or broken branches from greenery. Don't wait too long to tidy your garden. It's easier to cut plants before the old growth gets tangled up in the new growth. 

Trellises, archways, and pergolas can look a little ragged after a rough winter. Hose down all your garden structures, replace any rotted or broken wood pieces, and repaint or reseal as necessary. 

Garage 

• Declutter and donate unused items
• Remove cobwebs and wipe down shelving units
• Clean and sweep the floor
• Grease garage door hinges and springs
• Power wash siding and garage doors

As you clean your home's exterior, don't forget the garage. Get rid of everything that's no longer useful. Pack away all unused equipment, unneeded tools, and clutter. Take everything you aren’t using to the thrift store.

Remove cobwebs, wipe shelving units, clean the floors, and grease garage door hinges and springs to ensure they work smoothly. 

Use a power washer to clean your home's siding and garage doors. If you don't have a power washer, a long-handled scrub brush will do.

Windows

• Wash the outsides of windows
• Scrub window sills
• Clean window screens

Spend some time cleaning the outside of your windows. Dirty windows can dim the sparkle of spring sunshine. Wash the windows, scrub the window sills, and use a hose to wash window screens. You'll need a sprayer attachment, a squeegee, a ladder, a rag or two, a cleaning solution, and elbow grease.

Use mild soap or a simple solution of water and vinegar. Be sure to wash your windows and window screens on a dry, overcast day. This weather ensures the lather doesn't dry quickly and leave persistent streaks. For the best results, clean the windows from the inside and the outside. If some exterior windows are hard to reach, hire local cleaning experts.

Gutters

• Clean out leaves, branches, and debris
• Hose out remaining debris 
• Ensure downspouts direct water away from the foundation

Spring showers are common, so prepare your rain gutters to handle the runoff. After winter, gutters fill with leaves, branches, and debris. Be sure to put on your work gloves. Climb a ladder and remove as much debris as you can. Hose away the rest. 

Clear clogs from the downspouts and ensure they don't direct water to the foundation. Pooling water around your house may weaken the foundation, leading to costly repairs.

Spring Cleaning Tips That Actually Work

• Create a spring-cleaning checklist: A practical cleaning checklist will help you get your ideas on paper. Make a list of all your chores and tackle a few every day. When one is finished, check it off the list and move on to the next one. This will keep you motivated and give you an idea of how long decluttering will take.
• Donate clothes/books/unused items: Do good while you clean by donating canned goods, household items, and seldom-used clothing to those in need. Your excess can become a blessing to other people. Turn your annual spring-cleaning ritual into a donating tradition.
• Recycle electronics: If you're all about saving the planet, this is a great way to do it. Don't buy new electronics; simply recycle old ones. Every time a new electronic is manufactured, pollution increases, and valuable and limited virgin resources are used. Recycling electronics also helps reduce the energy used to manufacture new products.
• Minimize waste: Many of us have overflowing closets, sheds, garages, and attics. Decluttering frees up these items so others can use them. Give somebody else the opportunity to own your unused stuff. This will also prevent new purchases and help save the planet.

Make Your Home Ready for Spring

Seasonal cleaning allows you to get to know your home even better, and there’s no better time to create a spring-cleaning checklist to prepare your home for spring. You'll have a cleaner home and enjoy spring more by tackling spring chores. Living in a clean home is also therapeutic.

A thorough spring cleaning does more than just freshen up your space—it improves your home’s air quality, making it healthier to breathe. But don't just clean your home in spring; tidy up year-round to avoid overworking come April. Dust and allergens that build up over the winter months need to be removed before spring, the allergy season. 

Whole-House Spring Cleaning Checklist

Ready to prepare your home for spring? Use the room-by-room checklist to keep your home clean and organized as you tackle each room. And if you want a way to make cleaning your bathroom easier so you can get outside and enjoy the spring weather, set up a free consultation with Bath Fitter about replacing your shower or bathtub with a new acrylic tub surround.

Kitchen

• Declutter counters
• Wipe off counters
• Clean counters with a proper cleaning solution
• Sweep the floor
• Mop the floor
• Organize cabinets and dispose of expired food
• Organize the fridge and dispose of expired food
• Organize the freezer and dispose of expired food
• Defrost freezer (if needed)
• Clean the stovetop
• Clean oven (inside and outside)
• Clean microwave (inside and outside)
• Clean and organize the utensil drawer
• Inspect the fire extinguisher

Bathrooms

• Declutter and wipe down counters
• Clean the sink and toilet
• Clean the shower/tub
• Clean mirrors and light fixtures
• Sweep and mop the floor
• Organize cabinets
• Get rid of expired products
• Clean baseboards and towel racks
• Replace or wash shower curtains
• Take out trash and replace liners

Bedrooms

• Air the room
• Clean walls and ceilings
• Dust furniture, lights, and décor
• Wash all bed linens
• Wash window treatments
• Clean windows and mirrors
• Clean baseboards
• Rotate mattresses
• Steam-clean carpets/rugs

Living Areas

• Declutter surfaces and organize furniture
• Dust all surfaces, including shelves, tables, and entertainment centers
• Wipe down lights and ceiling fans
• Clean and vacuum furniture
• Fluff and rotate cushions and pillows
• Vacuum and clean carpets or rugs
• Clean and dust baseboards
• Wipe down windows and window sills
• Clean remote controls, door handles, and light switches
• Organize bookshelves and media items
• Clean and vacuum under furniture
• Wash throw blankets and cushions
• Check carbon monoxide/smoke detector batteries
• Mop hard floors, if applicable

Storage Areas and Closets

• Donate or discard unused items
• Dust shelves and surfaces
• Organize items
• Wipe down walls and floors
• Rotate seasonal items
• Wipe down door knobs
• Clean storage containers
• Vacuum or sweep the floor

Garden

• Remove dead annuals and rake out leaves
• Trim perennials and prune trees and shrubs that bloom in summer
• Remove winter mulch and trim evergreens
• Remove diseased or broken branches from greenery
• Clean garden structures (trellises, archways, pergolas) by hosing them down
• Replace rotted or broken wood pieces in garden structures
• Repaint or reseal garden structures as necessary

Garage 

• Declutter and donate unused items
• Remove cobwebs and wipe down shelving units
• Clean and sweep the floor
• Grease garage door hinges and springs
• Power wash siding and garage doors

Windows

• Wash the outsides of windows
• Scrub window sills
• Clean window screens

Gutters

• Clean out leaves, branches, and debris
• Hose out remaining debris 
• Ensure downspouts direct water away from the foundation