Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist + Tips for Happier Tidying

With warmer weather comes spring cleaning!

After a year, there are plenty of spaces in desperate need of a clean cloth or scrub sponge, but taking on the task can quickly overwhelm even the most diligent duster.

To help you get your whole home sparkling clean, we’ve created a comprehensive checklist for every room in your home and gathered up a few useful cleaning tips to make the process a whole lot easier.

Spring Cleaning To-Dos: Whole Home

As you work through each room in your home, you’ll want to remove dirt and dust from commonly touched surfaces, clean floors, and ensure your home is equipped with the proper safety measures.

• Dust blinds
• Wash windows and window sills
• Wipe walls and trim
• Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures
• Dust picture frames and clean glass inserts
• Spot clean walls
• Dust baseboards
• Disinfect door frames, doors, and knobs
• Use a small, soft brush to disinfect light switches
• Wash window treatments
• Clean air vents
• Replace light bulbs
• Pack up items for donation
• Sweep or vacuum the floor
• Vacuum and deep clean rugs
• Mop hardwood floors
• Deep clean carpets
• Check that your fire extinguisher is still in-date
• Test and replace batteries in carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms

Spring Cleaning To-Dos: Kitchen

Despite being one of the most frequently cleaned rooms in most people’s homes, kitchens tend to collect plenty of grime, grease, and other nasty messes.

• Clean out old food from the fridge and pantry
• Take everything out of kitchen cabinets; remove dust from the inside and outside
• Wash ice cube trays in warm water
• Wipe down all small appliances
• Polish kitchen sink
• Disinfect all kitchen surfaces
• Replace shelf paper
• Clean inside and outside of fridge/freezer
• Move and unplug the fridge; clean the condenser coils and floor
• Descale coffee maker
• Wipe down the chairs, barstools, and tables
• Clean knife blocks and other utensil storage
• Degrease oven and range
• Deodorize garbage disposal
• Scrub kitchen trashcans, wipe dry, and replace can liners
• Wash, dry, and put away dishes
• Reseason cast iron
• Polish faucets and silverware

Spring Cleaning To-Dos: Living Room

Your living room is the hub of your home, which means it collects a lot of clutter. Be sure to check hidden spaces, like entertainment center cabinets, under furniture, and side table drawers, for little messes you might miss during your weekly cleaning routine.

• Clean out the coffee table and end table drawers
• Polish drawer pulls and wood table surfaces
• Dust mantle and entertainment center
• Clean the inside of the furniture with a vacuum hose
• Steam-clean furniture with an upholstery attachment
• Disinfect remote controls
• Launder and refresh throw pillows
• Organize electronics cords
• Clean out bookshelves

Spring Cleaning To-Dos: Bathrooms

Bathrooms are often one of the most dreaded rooms on any cleaning checklist. With a little elbow grease, you can keep it looking its best.

• Launder fabric shower curtains, bathroom rugs, and bath towels
• Replace disposable shower liners
• Clean out the medicine cabinet, safely disposing of unused or expired medications
• Clean and air-dry makeup brushes
• Throw away unwanted or expired makeup
• Disinfect hairbrushes
• Replace toothbrushes and disinfect holders
• Clean mirrors
• Clean shower walls, glass, door frame, and caddies
• Polish faucets and scour sinks
• Wash trash cans inside and out
• Clean exhaust fan
• Clean out and wipe cabinets
• Reseal and clean grout
• Wipe down all surfaces

Spring Cleaning To-Dos: Bedrooms

Bedrooms can be overwhelming during spring cleaning, especially if you have children.

Rather than trying to tackle everything at once, give your kids their own personalized spring cleaning checklist so they can handle things like sorting through toys, gathering laundry, and stripping beds.

• Launder sheets, blankets, and bed skirts
• Clean mattresses with the vacuum cleaner and a handheld steamer; air dry.
• Flip mattresses
• Clean out from under the bed
• Clean out and organize dresser drawers
• Declutter and dust nightstands

Spring Cleaning To-Dos: Playroom

If you have little ones, you know how quickly they outgrow their toys. Use spring cleaning as an opportunity to sort through the clutter to make organization easier throughout the year.

• Disinfect plastic toys in hot, soapy water
• Wash blankets, cushions, dress up clothes, soft toys, and stuffed animals
• Clean out toyboxes, cabinets, and bookshelves
• Organize and sort toys into labeled storage containers
• Wash, air dry, and pack up toy donations
• Dust all surfaces

Spring Cleaning To-Dos: Laundry Room

While you’re tackling your spring cleaning list, your laundry room will be a busy place. However, you shouldn’t let it slip under the radar for a good deep clean.

Just be sure to save it for last, so you’re not recleaning your machines after they’ve taken care of all the dirt from your home’s washable fabrics.

• Wipe down the inside and outside of your washing machine and dryer
• Throw away empty bottles; clean the outside of detergent containers
• Use a vacuum hose to clean up lint behind your appliances
• Clean out the lint trap and exhaust vent
• Inspect all hoses and cords for fraying
• Launder the ironing board cover and clean the iron
• Wipe out hampers
• Organize hangers

Spring Cleaning To-Dos: Closets

With the transition from winter to spring, it’s the perfect time to pack away your sweaters and coats in favor of shorts and tees. While you’re sorting through your clothing, be sure to separate out donations, clothes that need repairing, and unwanted accessories.

Once the clutter’s gone, you can focus on cleaning out the dust and debris that’s accumulated over the last year.

• Remove empty hangers
• Pack away winter clothing in airtight containers
• Air out spring and summer clothes; hang up
• Sort through shoes
• Pack up donations
• Vacuum shelves and corners with a crevice tool
• Restock the lint roller, if necessary

Spring Cleaning To-Dos: Outdoors

With warmer weather on the horizon, pay special attention to your outdoor furniture, pool, and lawn so you can enjoy it after the long winter.

• Wash outdoor furniture, umbrellas, and awnings
• Launder outdoor furniture cushion covers
• Wash all outside windows and window screens
• Power wash concrete surfaces and siding
• Clean gutters and downspouts
• Trim trees, remove dead limbs and rake up debris
• Prepare your pool for reopening
• Clean the grill and smoker
• Clean entry mats
• Clean outdoor garbage cans

Spring Cleaning To-Dos: Miscellaneous

While these items won’t apply to everyone’s spring cleaning checklist, they are things to keep in mind.

• Launder and disinfect pet beds, bowls, and toys
• Clean and detail your vehicle
• Organize your entryway
• Clean out backpacks, diaper bags, sporting equipment bags, and purses
• Organize paperwork and bills

5 Tips for Happier Tidying

Now that you have a complete spring cleaning checklist, we wanted to let you in on a few cleaning tips to make the process as pleasant and easy as possible.

Take a Top-to-Bottom Approach

When you’re deep cleaning, the best way to approach the task is from top to bottom. Always dust your ceiling fans before you clean your walls, and scrub down windows before you tackle the sills.

Otherwise, you’ll find yourself recleaning messes once the dust settles!

Make Your Own Cleaning Solution

Cleaning supplies can be a serious investment, costing anywhere from $5-$10 per bottle.

Instead of paying expensive retail prices to get your home spic and span, you can use ingredients you already have in your home to take care of everything from soap scum to stubborn stains.

Homemade Window Cleaner

• 2 cups of distilled water
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 10-12 drops of your favorite essential oil

1. Add water, vinegar, and oil to a spray bottle.
2. Spray on windows and other non-electronic glass surfaces.
3. Wipe with a microfiber cloth, paper towels, or coffee filters.

Homemade All-Purpose Spray

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
• 5-10 drops of citrus or peppermint essential oils
• A few drops of dish soap

1. Shake ingredients together in a spray bottle.
2. Use it to disinfect and clean walls, countertops, and other hard surfaces.

Homemade Degreaser

• 1 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon Castile soap
• 1/2 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1. Combine ingredients in a bowl.
2. Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution, then use it to scrub down greasy surfaces.
3. Rinse well, then wipe with a dry cloth.

Homemade Hardwood Cleaner

• 1/2 gallon hot water
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 5-10 drops of citrus or peppermint essential oil

1. Mix ingredients in a 1-gallon bucket.
2. Test the mixture on a small, inconspicuous area.
3. If the hardwood reacts well, use the solution to clean floors.

Homemade Kitchen Floor Cleaner

• 1-gallon hot water
• 1/2 tablespoon dish soap
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar

1. Mix all ingredients together in a 1-gallon bucket.
2. Mop as normal, then let it air dry.

Homemade Sink Soft Scrub

• 2 cups baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Castile soap
• 10 drops of clove essential oil
• 10 drops of citrus essential oil

1. Mix all ingredients into a thick paste.
2. Use a scrub brush or clean cloth to scrub away stains.

Homemade Mildew Cleaner

• 1/2 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide
• 1/2 cup white vingegar
• 1 teaspoon tea tree oil
• Dark, glass spray bottle

1. Mix all ingredients together in a spray bottle.
2. Spray on the mildewy surface and let sit for an hour.
3. Wipe the area with a microfiber cloth and let dry.

Homemade Tile + Tub Cleaner

• 1/2 cup dish soap
• 1/2 cup vinegar

1. Heat the vinegar in the microwave until hot; add to a spray bottle
2. Pour soap into the spray bottle
3. Close the lid tightly and shake
4. Spray your tub and tile, let sit for 1/2 hour, then scrub and rinse.

Homemade Stain Remover for Clothing

• 1 teaspoon Dawn soap
• 4 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• Dark, glass container
• Reusable scoop

1. Mix all ingredients together in a dark, airtight container.
2. To treat stains, scrub a small amount of the stain remover into the fabric with a toothbrush or soft scrub brush.
3. Let the clothing sit overnight.
4. Launder as normal.

Pack a Caddy

Running back and forth to grab cleaning supplies or another microfiber cloth is a good way to get distracted from the task at hand.

Instead, pack a portable shower caddy with everything you’ll need to clean a room and tote it with you so everything’s close by when you need it.

Set the Little Ones Up with Age-Appropriate Tasks

If you have children, you can assign them chores that will not only help you get things done but also keep them out of your hair while you’re doing the heavy lifting.

While everyone’s child is different, some general guidelines by age are:

Toddlers (2-3)

• Put toys away
• Take books off of shelves
• Wipe up spills
• Dust baseboards
• Fold towels

Preschoolers (4-5)

• Use a handheld vacuum
• Put away clean dishes on lower shelves
• Sort laundry
• Match socks
• Wash items in warm or cold water with supervision

Children (6-9)

• Sweep
• Rake
• Clean bedrooms
• Load and unload the dishwasher
• Vacuum
• Wipe tables and countertops
• Empty small trash cans

Tweens (10-12)

• Wash, dry, fold, and put away laundry
• Watch younger siblings while you clean
• Organize cabinets
• Clean out their own dressers and closets
• Dust
• Sweep and mop floors

Older Children (13+)

By the time your children are entering high school, they can handle most tasks that an adult can. While you might want to monitor their proper use of cleaning supplies when they’re in their younger teens, it only takes a few minutes to model it for them.

Schedule Professional Cleaning Services Early

For big jobs like power washing the driveway or steam treating carpets, you can take a load off your list by hiring a professional cleaner for the job.

Better yet, check out MN.Coupons Home Improvement & Services coupons for incredible savings on carpet cleaning, tree trimming, and more!