The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist: A Room by Room Guide

Spring cleaning isn’t just about appearances. A thorough regular cleaning is essential to preserving the condition and value of one of your most valuable investments. Far beyond tidying, spring cleaning prevents costly repairs, improves indoor conditions for allergy sufferers, and keeps your home comfortable and maintains its long-term value.

Although cleaning doesn’t have to happen right at the onset of spring, we can’t help but feel it’s the perfect time for a reset. This seasonal ritual helps shake off winter’s staleness and prepares your home for the busy months ahead. If you’re looking for an even fresher start, our new home guide is a great place to start.

From decluttering and surface cleaning to tackling overlooked maintenance tasks, our guide will ensure every part of your home is refreshed and ready for spring and summer.

Spring Cleaning Basics 

Because we know the idea of taking on an entire house can be a tad overwhelming, break down your spring cleaning into small steps. 

Start with a fresh stock of necessary tools and cleaning products so you don’t lose momentum by running out of supplies when you’re knee-deep in cleaning. Be sure you have scrub brushes, rubber gloves, paper towel, and a vacuum in tip-top condition. When possible, try naturally effective and eco-friendly cleaning options like a mix of vinegar, baking soda, and lemon.

Create your cleaning schedule. Setting intention and achievable goals will keep you on track. Prioritize high-traffic areas first, like the kitchen, bathrooms, and main living spaces. 

Tackle your rooms from top to bottom. Start by clearing cobwebs from the ceiling and dusting fans. Then clean windows, doors, and mouldings. After that, take on surfaces and upholstery, and then the floors are cleaned last.

Your Room-by-Room Cleaning Checklist

Avoid the pitfalls of sidetracked and aimless cleaning. Committing to cleaning one room at a time creates a sense of accomplishment and ensures a thorough process before moving on. 

Living Room

One of the most-used areas in your home, the living room is where everyone gathers for rest, entertainment, and socializing with family and friends. A thorough cleaning will help your family continue to make the most of this all-important space. 

• Remove clutter from surfaces and organize, adding or utilizing storage baskets for toys, games, blankets and pillows.
• Work from the top down, cleaning fans, windows, walls, and baseboards.
• Deep clean upholstery, condition any leather, rotate cushions, wash throw pillow covers, throws, and blankets.
• Spot clean area rugs, shampoo and vacuum carpets, mop wood and hard flooring. 
• Consider changing up your room’s layout or adding seasonal decor. 

Kitchen

Whether it’s splatters on the backsplash from your monthly spaghetti night, or it’s the neglected sink area that’s begging to be restored to its once-gleaming glory, there’s plenty to tidy in the kitchen. 

• Declutter and organize the pantry and cabinets. Are the dishes stored in the most efficient way? Can you consolidate pantry items like contents of cereal boxes or refresh storage canisters?
• Deep clean appliance surfaces with a product specific to its material, like a stainless steel polish. Clean out the fridge of expired food and wipe down the drawers and every surface. 
• Remove everything from the counters and clean and polish each surface. 
• Wipe down cabinets and backsplash. Clean windows and walls.
• Sweep/vacuum and mop floors—don’t overlook baseboards, which can collect drips and food debris. 
• Adding fresh flowers and a scented candle goes a long way for ambiance.

Bedrooms  

The rooms where you rest and unwind at the end of every day deserve a refresh too. Creating a clutter and dust-free space improves sleep quality and overall well-being. Here’s what you need to consider to make your bedroom a spotless sanctuary. 

• Start with ceilings, fans, blinds, and windows. Don’t be afraid to open up all your windows and drench your space in fresh air and light while you work. 
• Strip your bedding and wash all the elements. Then deep clean the mattress with a vacuum and rotate it. Don’t forget to wipe-down or vacuum your upholstered bed frame. 
• Dust and declutter nightstands. Laying your head down next to a nightstand filled with unnecessary things won’t do much for your resting state. 
• Vacuum carpets, dust and mop hard flooring. 
• Add new bedding elements like fresh pillows, which should be replaced annually. 

Bathrooms

Grimy, streaky surfaces, mildew, and mold can accumulate quickly in bathrooms. With cleaning products, gloves, and a good scrub-brush at the ready, you can refresh your baths and create a beautiful, hygienic space. 

• Again, decluttering is key. Toss old toiletries and makeup, which has a shelf-life of about 1-2 years. Organize storage areas like linen cabinets and vanity drawers. 
• Dust light fixtures, window coverings, and clean windows. Let your vacuum loose on fans and vents to improve function and avoid repairs. 
• Wipe down and disinfect surfaces, counters, sinks, baths and showers. Focus on areas that can collect mold and mildew like tile floors in the shower and other nooks and crannies that see a lot of moisture. 
• Mop floors and scrub baseboards and wash or replace any bath mats and area rugs. 
• Candles are a nice touch here, too.

Entry and Hallways

Entryways and hallways are often the first thing you and visitors see in your home. Set a welcoming tone with a clutter-free and sparkling area that reflects a well-cared-for home. 

• Decluttering here might require some storage solutions. The front door is no place for shoes to accumulate. If this has happened, find a practical solution for keeping shoes neatly and conveniently out-of-sight. Any surface that’s become a magnet for keys, abandoned mail, and any other items shed upon arriving at home should be addressed with organization. Make use of storage containers, baskets, and other containers to keep your surfaces looking beautiful. 
• Dust and wipe down everything from the ceiling to the windows and down to the baseboards. Then mop and vacuum. Wipe down doors and mouldings too. There are some handy products for removing smudges and marks on surfaces like these. 
• Add seasonal decorations and other elements that make your home feel warm and comfortable from the very first moment. 

Laundry Room

A room dedicated to utility can get overlooked and quickly become overwhelming. Dig into this space with a focus on organizing and storage solutions. 

• Sort and store detergents, softeners, and stain removers. Whether you stow these away in cupboards or put on display in aesthetic canisters, an organized approach here will make laundry efficient and pleasant. 
• Wipe down washer and dryer exteriors and clean under and behind units. Check connections are secure too. Then run a cleaning cycle on your washer.
• Dust light fixtures and vents. Wipe down floors, walls, and baseboards. 
• Clean rugs or mats. 
• Add aesthetic elements like wall art or functional shelving where supplies and decorations can live. A little decor goes a long way in every room.

Outdoor Spaces

Whether it’s your patio, balcony, porch, or sprawling yard, now’s the time to prepare your outdoor spaces for longer days spent enjoying the sunshine. Give your outdoor areas some attention so you can soak up the season

• Assess the damage of winter and remove any broken or weather-beaten pots and furniture. Organize gardening tools and planting supplies. 
• Store away furniture covers, wipe down chairs and sofas, rotate cushions, and add decorative pillows for an inviting touch. 
• Powerwash patios and hardscaping and outdoor surfaces and counters. Remove weeds and refresh mulch.
• Prune overgrown plants and fertilize plants as needed. Replace anything that didn’t survive the winter with fresh plants and flowers. 
• Clean and maintain grills and smokers to prepare for BBQ season. 

Getting Deeper

If you’re looking for a next-level clean throughout your home, there are some often-overlooked but highly-impactful deep cleaning tasks you can consider.

• Clean all air vents and replace filters.
• Add a fresh coat of paint to walls and moulding.
• Wipe down and disinfect all switches and outlets.
• Clean and dust all light fixtures and ceiling fans. 
• Declutter storage spaces—we’re looking at you, coat closet.
• Empty and wipe down inside all cabinets and drawers.
• Vacuum under the couches, chairs, beds, and other large furniture pieces. 
• Powerwash the front door and outdoor surfaces like shutters. 
• Tackle the garage by decluttering and organizing. Cleaning the floors and consider adding an epoxy to protect the floor and lend a cleaner look.

Whether you choose to clean everything in one fell swoop or you’re slowly working through your checklist, a little effort goes a long way. With every gleaming surface, decluttered closet, and sparkling room, you can embrace the shift in seasons routine cleaning that will make even your new house feel like home. Once you’re through, you can breathe deeply and enjoy your beautiful space—just in time for the fresh season ahead.