Spring Cleaning Hacks + Spring Cleaning Checklist to Save You Time and Effort

Freshen up your home for a new season using this handy Spring cleaning checklist and Spring cleaning hacks that will save you time & effort!

It’s (almost) Spring! – that time of the year when we welcome back blue skies, blooming flowers, and sweet fresh air.

As the sun spills through our windows now, I chuckle as I see dancing dust and spattered rain drops on the glass – both of which I never see during the gray days of Winter!;) It reminds me (and motivates me!) that it’s time for some good old spring cleaning. Although it takes a little effort, there’s something so satisfying about freshening up our spaces for a new season.

That’s why today, I’m bringing you spring cleaning hacks for every room in the house that will save you precious time and effort. Get ready to roll up your sleeves, put on your favorite music, and let’s get Spring cleaning! Pick and choose which ideas sound good to you…

Start with a Plan & Get your Supplies Ready

1. Start with a plan: Before you begin, take a moment to create a Spring cleaning plan. Identify the areas in your home that require the most attention and prioritize them. This will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the cleaning process.

2. Break it down: Cleaning an entire house can seem overwhelming, so break it down into smaller tasks. Instead of feeling daunted by the enormity of the task, complete one room or task at a time. Celebrate each small victory along the way. To help you with that, I’ve created a printable Spring Cleaning Checklist that you can fill out however works best for you! Just enter your email in the form below and I’ll send it right your way!

3. Use the Four-Box Method: While you’re cleaning, you’ll most likely discover that decluttering is a natural by-product of the process. To help with that, have a designated space to pile all the items that you want to give away (donate) or sell. We always use a table in our garage for that. Once it’s full, we pack it up and take it to a local thrift store.

4. Don’t overdo it: I don’t want you to view Spring cleaning as a massive undertaking that means every inch of your home is cleaned with a toothbrush – whether it needs it or not!! Choose the spaces and places that need attention and move on. If you already incorporate small cleaning habits into your daily routine, Spring cleaning doesn’t need to necessarily mean there is a LOT to do!

5. Set a timer: (It’s my favorite organization tool!)Set a timer for an alloted amount of time and race against it to see how much you can get done. You’ll be shocked at how little time some tasks that you’ve been dreading actually take!

6. Dress for success: Put on some comfortable clothes, tie your hair back, and wear closed-toe shoes. Dressing for the occasion will make you feel more prepared and ready to take on any cleaning challenge that comes your way!

8. Keep cleaning supplies within reach: Store your cleaning supplies in locations that make sense where you clean. This will encourage you to clean small messes as they occur, preventing them from becoming bigger problems later on. For instance, I have toilet bowl cleaner, a microfiber cleaning cloth and a microfiber mirror cloth in each of our bathrooms. That’s where I need them and use them, so that’s where they are stored all the time!

Spring Cleaning Hacks for Every Room

1. Kitchen:

• Steam Clean the Microwave: Heat a bowl of water with lemon slices for a few minutes to loosen grime, then easily wipe it away. Here are my favorite homemade cleaners for the kitchen.
• Deodorize the Garbage Disposal: Grind ice cubes and citrus peels to freshen and clean the disposal.
• Organize Pantry Shelves: Throw out outdated food items and wipe off pantry shelves.
• Deep Clean Your Electric Stove: I wrote a detailed post on the clever tricks for how to clean a coil stovetop. (Did you know you can “pop the hood” of it??) If you don’t have a coil stovetop, shine up your glass top or gas range.
• Streak-Free Stainless Steel: Use a a microfiber mirror cloth and water to shine stainless steel.
• Refresh Cutting Boards: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp cutting board, scrub, then rinse for a fresh and clean surface.
• Shine your Sink Fixtures & make it smell great: Sprinkle your sink with baking soda and scrub it with half a lemon. It will fizz and smell great – and rinses to a shine!
• Clean the Fridge Coils: Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust and debris from refrigerator coils to improve efficiency.
• Degrease Cabinets: Wipe down kitchen cabinets with a mixture of dish soap, vinegar and warm water to remove grease buildup. This cleaner is not only best way to clean glass shower doors it’s also a good homemade all purpose cleaner that works well with grease.
• Revitalize Wooden Utensils : Rub wooden utensils with mineral oil to prevent drying and cracking.
• Freshen Dishwasher: Place a cup of white vinegar on the top rack and run an empty dishwasher cycle to remove odors and buildup.
• Clean Range Hood Filter: Soak range hood filters in hot, soapy water to dissolve grease, then scrub and rinse thoroughly.
• Organize Under-Sink Space: I know…I don’t like this job either! I do like having an under the kitchen sink mat to help make things easier to clean.
• Descale Coffee Maker: Run a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar through the coffee maker, followed by two cycles of clean water.
• Tidy Spice Jars: Arrange spice jars alphabetically or by category for easy access and organization.
• Revitalize Wooden Cutting Boards: Rub cutting boards with coarse salt and lemon juice, then rinse and oil for a natural clean.
• Wipe Down Light Fixtures: Dust and wipe down light fixtures to brighten the kitchen and remove accumulated grime.
• De-gunk Sink Stoppers: Remove sink stoppers and clean them thoroughly with hot, soapy water to prevent clogs and odors.
• Scrub Tile Grout: The same method for how to clean tile and grout in shower works on tile and grout in any space. (Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, water and a grout brush.)
• Clean Refrigerator Drawers: Remove refrigerator drawers and shelves, wash with warm, soapy water, and dry thoroughly before replacing. Put an open box of baking soda in the back of the fridge to help it to stay smelling fresh.
• Clean under large appliances: -Get some help and move out your large appliances (stove and refrigerator) if possible, and clean the floor under them.

2. Bathroom

• Let Steam & Time Help You Clean the Shower: Run a hot shower to create steam, then follow these directions for the BEST way to clean glass shower doors.
• Deep Clean Grout: Use a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to scrub grout lines in the shower and on the floor with a grout brush, then rinse for a brighter look. (Click here for details on the best ways to clean grout on a tile floor and in showers.)
• Clean out Toothbrush Holders: Soak toothbrush holders and clean them out.
• Unclog Drains Naturally: Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down drains, followed by hot water, to break down buildup and eliminate odors.
• Shine Faucets and Fixtures: Polish chrome fixtures with microfiber mirror cloths and water.
• Check the Shower Curtain Liner: We live in a very humid climate and I have a hard time with my shower curtain liner getting a light pink substance on it. (It’s yucky…) Some people throw them in the wash with a load of towels and find it cleans it off well. I haven’t found that to be the case. So, after lots of experimenting my solution has been to purchase very cheap shower curtain liners at the dollar store and replace them every few months.
• Freshen Towels: Wash towels with baking soda and vinegar to remove odors and soften fabric.
• Organize Medicine Cabinet: Remove expired medications and toiletries, then organize remaining items with bins or dividers.
• Refresh Showerhead: Fill a plastic bag with vinegar, secure it around the showerhead with a rubber band, and let it soak overnight to remove mineral deposits.
• Disinfect Trash Can: Clean trash cans with a mixture of water and soap, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Place a cotton ball with a few drops of lemon essential oil on it in the bottom of the trash can for a fresh scent
• Organize Under-Sink Cabinet: Use stackable bins or baskets to maximize space and keep toiletries and cleaning supplies tidy.
• Clean Exhaust Fan Grilles and heater fan blades: Remove dust and debris from exhaust fan grills with a vacuum cleaner attachment or a damp cloth.
• Sanitize Bath Toys: Soak bath toys in a solution of hot water and vinegar, then rinse and air dry to kill bacteria and mold.
• Wash Shower Mat: Machine wash or soak rubber or fabric shower mats in hot water and detergent, then air dry thoroughly.
• Clean Shower Door Tracks: Remove dirt and grime from shower door tracks with an old toothbrush and a mixture of vinegar and water.
• Wipe Down Light Fixtures: Dust and wipe down light fixtures and bulbs with a microfiber cloth to improve brightness and remove accumulated dust.
• Use an Old Toothbrush for hard to reach areas: An old toothbrush works perfect for scrubbing around faucet handles, drains, and under the edge of the sink.

3. Living Room

• Declutter First: Start by decluttering the living room, sorting items into keep, donate, and toss piles.
• Dust from Top to Bottom: Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and shelves first, then work your way down to furniture and baseboards.
• Wash Window Treatments: Remove curtains and drapes for laundering or send them to the dry cleaner for a refresh.
• Vacuum Upholstery: Use a vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachment to thoroughly clean sofas, chairs, and cushions.
• Spot Clean Furniture: Treat stains and spills on upholstery with a gentle upholstery cleaner or a mixture of water and mild detergent.
• Rotate Area Rugs: Rotate area rugs to prevent uneven wear and sun exposure, and vacuum underneath for a thorough clean.
• Clean Electronics: Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe down TVs, game consoles, and other electronic devices.
• Organize Entertainment Center: Arrange DVDs, video games, and remote controls neatly, and dust entertainment center shelves.
• Revive Wood Furniture: Polish wood furniture with a wood cleaner and conditioner to restore shine and remove scratches.
• Refresh Throw Pillows and Blankets: Launder or spot clean throw pillows and blankets, and fluff them for a cozy look.
• Clean and Polish Hardwood Floors: Sweep or vacuum hardwood floors, then mop with a gentle cleaner for a shiny finish.
• Dust and Polish Furniture: Forget about dusting spray! Use a wet microfiber cloth and remove dust from surfaces instead of just moving it around!
• Wipe Down Light Switches and Fixtures: Use a damp cloth to wipe down light switches, outlet covers, and light fixtures to remove dust and fingerprints.
• Freshen Air Vents: Vacuum air vents and wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove dust and allergens.
• Clean Fireplace and Chimney: Sweep out ashes from the fireplace and schedule a professional chimney cleaning if necessary.
• Tidy Bookshelves: Organize books and decorative items on bookshelves, and dust shelves and spines.
• Dust and Polish Mirrors and Picture Frames: Use a glass cleaner to clean mirrors and picture frames, and wipe them down with a microfiber cloth.
• Fluff Cushions: Fluff sofa and chair cushions and rotate them to prevent sagging and wear.
• Freshen Air with Houseplants: Clean houseplant leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and improve air quality.
• Vacuum and Clean Baseboards: Use a vacuum cleaner attachment or a damp cloth to clean baseboards and remove dust and grime.
• Clean and Shine Decorative Accents: Wipe down decorative accents such as vases, sculptures, and figurines with a microfiber cloth.
• Refresh Throw Rugs: Shake out and vacuum throw rugs, or launder them if they’re machine washable.
• Organize Cables and Cords: Use cable organizers or zip ties to neatly arrange and conceal cables and cords.
• Dust and Clean Window Sills: Use a damp cloth to wipe down window sills and remove dust, dirt, and dead bugs. Here’s our favorite way for how to clean grimy wooden blinds.
• Freshen Upholstered Furniture: Sprinkle baking soda on upholstered furniture, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum to remove odors and freshen fabric.

4. Bedroom

• Declutter Nightstands: Clear off nightstands and remove any unnecessary items, then wipe them down with a damp cloth.
• Rotate Mattress: Rotate and flip your mattress to promote even wear and extend its lifespan.
• Wash Bedding: Launder all bedding including sheets, pillowcases, and comforters to remove dust, allergens, and sweat buildup. (Here are my favorite tricks for how to make laundry smell good)
• Vacuum Mattress: Use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to thoroughly vacuum the mattress to remove dust mites and debris.
• Clean Pillows: Wash or dry clean pillows according to the care instructions, or air them out in the sun to freshen them up. (Here is a handy laundry stains removal guide
• Organize Closet: Declutter your closet by donating or selling clothes you no longer wear, and organize the remaining items by category or color.
• Vacuum Floors and Baseboards: Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the bedroom floors and baseboards, paying special attention to corners and edges.
• Dust Furniture: Dust all bedroom furniture including dressers, nightstands, and desks using a microfiber cloth dampened with water.
• Wipe Down Light Fixtures: Remove dust and cobwebs from light fixtures and ceiling fans using a microfiber cloth or duster.
• Clean Window Treatments: Dust or vacuum curtains, blinds, or shades to remove dust and allergens, or launder them if they’re machine washable.
• Deep Clean Carpets: Use a carpet cleaner or hire a professional to deep clean bedroom carpets to remove deep-seated dirt and stains.
• Organize Under-Bed Storage: Declutter under-bed storage containers and vacuum or wipe down the space underneath the bed.
• Dust and Clean Mirrors: Use a glass cleaner or a mixture of water and vinegar to clean bedroom mirrors and make them sparkle.
• Vacuum Upholstered Furniture: Use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to remove dust and pet hair from upholstered furniture.
• Wipe Down Doorknobs and Switch Plates: Use a disinfectant wipe or a damp cloth to clean and sanitize bedroom doorknobs and light switch plates.
• Declutter Dresser Drawers: Empty dresser drawers, declutter, and reorganize clothes and accessories to maximize space and efficiency.
• Clean and Organize Jewelry: Clean and organize jewelry by polishing metals and untangling necklaces and bracelets.
• Rotate Seasonal Clothing: Store off-season clothing in vacuum-sealed bags or bins to free up space in the closet.
• Freshen Mattress with Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum it up to absorb odors.
• Clean and Disinfect Trash Cans: Wash and disinfect bedroom trash cans with hot, soapy water.
• Dust and Clean Decorative Items: Dust and clean decorative items such as picture frames, vases, and figurines to freshen up the room.
• Freshen Closet with Sachets: Place scented sachets or dryer sheets in the closet to keep clothes smelling fresh and clean. These lavender sachets are my favorite.

Have fun Spring Cleaning & Using these Spring Cleaning Hacks

I hope you enjoy the fresh, new feeling your house gets as you clean and freshen up your space. And while you’re at it, get yourself a pretty bouquet of flowers to display in your new, Springy space!

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