Essential Spring Cleaning Checklist: 28 Tasks to Refresh Your Home

Spring is an ideal season for a deep clean. The pleasant weather allows you to open windows and let in fresh air, while avoiding the heat that makes cleaning exhausting.

With many tasks to juggle alongside routine chores, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.

However, expert cleaners have compiled a thorough spring cleaning checklist with practical cleaning tips to simplify your seasonal refresh.

Spring Cleaning Tasks

To make spring cleaning manageable, break tasks into specific rooms or areas. Focus on one at a time or tackle a few each week to prevent burnout.

Whole House Tasks

Certain tasks are necessary in every room. The one-tool cleaning method enables you to move efficiently from room to room, completing the same task before moving on.

For instance, start by vacuuming every space with a versatile vacuum cleaner, then proceed to dust each room.

1. Dust Shelves, Frames, and Mirrors

natural boho living room with bookshelf built into an alcove — Remove all items from shelves for effective cleaning.

Dust shelves thoroughly, and take this chance to rearrange decor using charming spring decor ideas. This refresh can make your space feel new. Remember to dust picture frames and mirrors while removing cobwebs.

For effective cleaning, work from top to bottom, ensuring dust falls onto unclean surfaces, minimizing the need to redo tasks.

Best Dusting Tool: Scrub Daddy Damp Duster

This duster is perfect for allergy sufferers, removing dust and pet hair effectively. It's reusable, affordable, and easy to clean; simply rinse with water as you go.

2. Clean Baseboards

cleaning baseboards with microfiber cloth — A microfiber cloth effectively reaches the grooves in baseboards.

As noted by professional cleaner Sara San Angelo, baseboards are essential to clean, including those not immediately visible. Move furniture away from walls to access every inch.

Consider using a Swiffer duster with an extension pole, available on Amazon, for hard-to-reach spots.

If you prefer manual cleaning, a microfiber cloth effectively collects dust and polishes baseboards.

A set of six brush attachents for vacuum cleaners Universal

A vacuum with a brush attachment can quickly eliminate dust from baseboards.

3. Dust Lights and Lamps

A living room with a chaise-long and a standing lamp — Cleaning lamps improves their efficiency and helps reduce energy costs.

According to Sara, it's crucial to dust lampshades, light fittings, and bulbs to maximize light output. A thin layer of dust can significantly dim lighting.

For light bulbs, gently wipe with a microfiber cloth. If grease has built up, remove and clean with dish soap like Dawn. Ensure they dry completely before reinstalling.

Use a lint roller, available at Walmart, for quick cleaning of lampshades.

4. Clean Under Furniture

Churchill natural tweed bed in a wooden pannaled room, a wooden bench along the end of the bed — Dust accumulates under furniture, which can worsen allergies.

While we often vacuum under furniture, don't forget to check the undersides, where dust and cobwebs hide. Sara emphasizes the importance of flipping chairs and tables for a thorough clean.

Addressing neglected spaces is a main reason for spring cleaning.

Best Budget Vacuum: Ultenic Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

This vacuum is designed for easy access under furniture, making spring cleaning simpler.

5. Revitalize Floors

Shark vertex cordless on carpet vacuuming under a chair — Vacuuming is just the first step in floor care.

Scott Johnston of Carpet Care of the Carolinas emphasizes the importance of deep cleaning textiles, including carpets, rugs, and upholstery.

Start with a thorough vacuuming to remove dust and allergens that have accumulated over winter.

Proceed based on your floor type:

Real Wood Floors: Mop with a small amount of water and a dedicated wood cleaner, like Method Wood Floor Cleaner, from Walmart. Dry thoroughly.
Carpets and Rugs: Use a carpet cleaner to shampoo or steam clean to eliminate odors and bacteria. Hand scrubbing is an option but can be labor-intensive.
Tile Floors: Mop using a tile cleaner or steam mop. For grout, utilize a Rubbermaid power scrubber, available at Target, with an abrasive cleaner like The Pink Stuff, also from Target, to tackle grime.

Best Robot Vacuum: Eufy - S1 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum

This robot vacuum simplifies cleaning with its automation features. It empties itself and cleans the mop heads, reducing unpleasant odors.

6. Eliminate Scuffs with a Magic Eraser

light and bright entryway with a pale blue front door and bench seat — Entryways often accumulate scuff marks from daily use.

Scuff marks can detract from a home's appearance. While cleaning, dust walls and use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, available at Target to remove marks.

Lightly rub the area to lift the stain; avoid excessive pressure to prevent damage.

7. Clean Window Tracks

A rustic farmhouse sink set into a stone countertop in front of a window ledge with lots of fresh green plants. — Cleaning windows allows more natural light into your home.

Besides washing glass, don't neglect window tracks. Clean them to ensure smooth operation and longevity.

For easy cleaning, use a dish sponge from Walmart and a degreaser like Method Heavy-Duty Degreaser.

Lubricate window hinges with a product like WD-40, from The Home Depot for added protection.

8. Disinfect High-Touch Areas

Switch plate — Use caution with liquids when cleaning light switches to avoid damage.

Quickly disinfecting high-touch surfaces resets your home after winter. Callum Couser from Reckitt emphasizes the importance of sanitizing light switches, remotes, and soft surfaces.

Utilize Lysol Disinfectant Spray, from Walmart to eliminate 99.9% of viruses and bacteria.

Don't forget to clean kitchen cabinets and handles, as well as fridge and freezer exteriors.

Plant-Based Cleaner: Method All-Purpose Cleaner, French Lavender

Made with natural ingredients, this cleaner effectively sanitizes while being gentle on your home.

9. Replace Household Filters

A white HVAC fen unit mounted to a grey painted wall. A living room visible through a doorway to the right hand side. — Cleaning HVAC filters minimizes dust in your home.

Spring is a great time to refresh various filters, including those in your vacuum, air purifier, and HVAC system.

Justin Cornforth from Ace Home Co. stresses the importance of maintaining HVAC filters for optimal performance.

For washable filters, rinsing isn't enough; scrub them with soapy water and soak in vinegar to eliminate stubborn dirt.

Effective Mold Cleaner: Great Value Distilled White Vinegar

This cleaning agent is excellent for killing mold and pathogens.

Kitchens

Kitchens require weekly maintenance, focusing on surfaces to prevent the buildup of germs and grease during spring cleaning.

10. Clean the Cutlery Drawer

Wood Drawer Inserts filled with cutlery in a drawer. — Utensil drawers can harbor surprising amounts of dirt.

Forrest Webber, cleaning expert, advises thorough cleaning of kitchen drawers where food residue can accumulate. Remove all cutlery and organizers before vacuuming to remove debris.

Utilize a disinfectant spray, like Attitude Multi-Purpose Spray, from Walmart, for bacteria removal. Finish by washing or polishing cutlery before organizing the drawer.

11. Clean the Pantry and Fridge

The inside of a wooden pantry with shelving. A coffee maker on the bottom shelf, pots and baskets on the shelves above. — Organizing pantry items simplifies transitioning to lighter spring meals.

Laura Price, professional organizer, suggests using up leftovers and discarding expired items while cleaning shelves.

Remove all food, wipe down surfaces with a disinfectant, and dry shelves before restocking, placing older items in front to minimize waste.

Check expiration dates and discard any expired or stale products.

A small cube woven storage basket with cut-out handles. Two sizes

Woven baskets are ideal for organizing pantry items and reducing clutter.

12. Organize Under the Sink

A kitchen sink with a green gingham curtain instead of a cabinet door beneath it — Streamlining cleaning products helps maintain organization.

Under-sink areas can easily become cluttered. Editing and categorizing cleaning supplies will help maximize this space.

Invest a little time organizing under the sink for long-term ease.

Storage Solution: Storagebud 2-Tier Under Sink Organizers

These organizers utilize vertical space while accommodating plumbing.

13. Clean the Oven

dark blue kitchen with beams, color drenched, small kitchen island, wooden and copper countertops, glassware, pendant lights, black oven, deVOL — Regular oven cleaning limits kitchen fire hazards.

Bryan Griffin, cleaning expert, stresses the importance of cleaning major appliances like the oven. Opt for natural cleaners, either using lemon juice for grease or a steam cleaner for deep cleaning.

Editor's Pick: Black+Decker 7-in-1 Steam Mop

This steam mop effectively cleans various kitchen surfaces with just water.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms require weekly cleaning to maintain hygiene. Spring cleaning should focus on deeper cleaning tasks that are often overlooked.

14. Soak the Shower Head

Gold rainforest shower head, glass window — Soaking the shower head eliminates limescale and bacteria.

With hard water in many homes, limescale accumulates quickly on showerheads. To clean, wrap a vinegar-soaked cloth around it and leave for 30 minutes before rinsing.

You can also submerge it in a plastic bag filled with vinegar and secure it with a rubber band for thorough cleaning.

15. Wash Bathroom Textiles

Karo Shower Curtain and towels in a bathroom with a bath mat and wooden step on the side — Regularly washing bathroom textiles prevents odors.

While towels are often washed regularly, bathmats and shower curtains also need cleaning. Many can be machine washed, but check care labels to avoid damage.

For glass shower doors, use The Pink Stuff and a sponge for easy cleaning.

16. Declutter Linen Cabinets

Bespoke bathroom storage in walnut — Regular decluttering reduces bathroom stress.

Spring is the perfect time to organize bathroom cabinets. Remove expired products or those no longer used to reduce clutter.

Brenda Scott, professional organizer, emphasizes that a tidy home requires less maintenance and helps you find what you need more easily.

17. Scrub Tile Grout

A gray ladder radiator on a stone bathroom wall, beside a wooden basin unit with a square mirror above, and some small steps up to a bidet and toilet. — Regular grout cleaning prevents permanent stains.

Cleaning grout may not be enjoyable, but it's necessary every spring. Chris Willatt, cleaning expert, recommends using Dawn dish soap mixed with warm water and a brush for effective scrubbing.

To brighten grout, use a specialized cleaner or a mix of baking soda and vinegar.

Bedrooms

Spring cleaning in bedrooms should focus on decluttering and washing linens, as these tasks are often neglected.

18. Transition to Spring Clothing

mud room with screened closet and storage buckets — Decluttering clothing creates space for seasonal items.

As winter clothing is stored, Christina Giaquinto suggests dedicating time to declutter unwanted items. Organize spring attire in an accessible manner.

For out-of-season items, consider vacuum storage bags from Walmart to save space and protect them.

19. Clean and Flip Your Mattress

mattress in beige room with large window — Cleaning mattresses improves sleep quality.

Spring cleaning is a great time to address mattresses. Remove bedding and vacuum thoroughly, then lightly spray with a vinegar-water solution and allow it to dry.

Regularly rotating mattresses helps maintain even wear.

20. Wash Comforters and Pillows

Piglet in Bed Botanical Green Gingham Bed Sheets on a bed beside a nightstand with a potted plant against a white wall. — Cleaning bedding prevents musty odors.

As seasons change, wash winter bedding and store it properly. Molly Freshwater advises airing out textiles before storage in airtight containers.

Most bedding can be machine washed, but for larger items, consider professional cleaning.

Living Rooms

Focus on larger furniture pieces during spring cleaning to eliminate dust and grime accumulated over winter.

21. Clean Upholstery

A spring themed living room with a large cream fabric sofa behind two round coffee tables. A glass vase of yellow flowers on the table. Assorted throw cushions on the sofa. A curved wooden floor lamp visible in the right hand corner. — Refresh upholstery to eliminate winter odors.

Upholstery cleaning is essential for living rooms. Jennie Holmes suggests using a microfiber cloth to remove loose debris and vacuuming thoroughly.

Check care labels for cleaning instructions and use enzyme-based cleaners for food stains.

To neutralize odors, sprinkle baking soda over upholstery, let it sit overnight, and vacuum it up.

Odor Neutralizer: Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda

Home Offices

Spring cleaning doesn't stop indoors; it's beneficial to tidy home offices as well.

22. Organize Paperwork

Color drenched green office with wooden desk and lamp — Digitizing paperwork can minimize clutter.

Spring is the perfect time to sort through paperwork. Shred documents with personal information and digitize anything you can.

Store important documents in a fireproof safe, like the SentrySafe from The Home Depot.

23. Clean Desk Tools

William Haines - Home Office - This home office has orange-toned seating pieces, paired with a straight lines desk, and a wall full of built-in shelves that allow decorative elements to be showcased. — Desk tools can collect germs, making cleaning essential.

Punteha emphasizes the need for a clean desk to enhance productivity. Disinfect your keyboard, monitor, and mouse regularly.

Keep disinfectant wipes, like Lysol wipes from Walmart, in your drawer for quick clean-ups.

Outdoor Areas

Outdoor cleaning is equally important to prepare for pleasant weather.

24. Refresh Your Patio and Decks

Italian modern inspired villa patio styled with a striped rug, striped scalloped umbrella and iron furniture — Cleaning outdoor spaces enhances their longevity.

Spring is the ideal time to deep clean patios and decks. Jeremy Yamaguchi suggests using a power washer to remove dirt and mildew.

If a power washer isn't available, consider a moss remover like Wet & Forget from Amazon.

25. Clean Outdoor Furniture

poolside patio with parasol and rattan furniture — Cleaning outdoor furniture prevents damage and extends its lifespan.

Remember to clean outdoor furniture and rugs to remove any winter debris. Avoid pressure washers, opting for warm soapy water instead, using a gentle sponge.

Laundry Areas

Spring cleaning your laundry area ensures your appliances run efficiently throughout the year.

26. Clean Your Washer and Dryer

Miele washing machine in a chic farmhouse style laundry room with striped wallpaper and flowers in the sink — Use vinegar and baking soda for natural cleaning.

Regular cleaning of machines is essential for optimal performance. Tim Conn recommends running a hot cycle with vinegar, then following with baking soda to eliminate odors and grime.

Wipe seals and dispensers with a damp cloth to maintain cleanliness.

27. Declutter Toxic Laundry Products

laundry room with wooden drying rack and shirt — Swapping toxic items improves health over time.

Many detergents contain harmful ingredients. Switching to natural alternatives enhances safety during laundry tasks.

A white tub of laundry pods with a blue lid. 36 washes

These laundry pods are EWG certified, making them a healthier choice for your home.

28. Clean Your Laundry Hampers

A large wicker laundry basket with a removeable lid in the doorway of a country bathroom — Dirty hampers can harbor bacteria and mold.

While laundry is important, don't forget the hampers. Clean plastic hampers with vinegar and warm water; fabric hampers can often go in the wash if components are removable.

For fabric hampers that cannot be washed, spray with distilled vinegar and let it air dry to eliminate germs.