{"id":197383,"date":"2025-11-11T17:06:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T17:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/?p=197383"},"modified":"2025-11-11T17:06:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T17:06:24","slug":"spring-cleaning-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/spring-cleaning-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"What tasks should I include on my spring cleaning checklist?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When was the last time you vacuumed your drapes, cleaned the inside of your pantry or deep cleaned your mattress? We get it. It can be tough to fit in a good deep cleaning as we move through our busy lives. That&rsquo;s why spring cleaning is so essential &mdash; because it&rsquo;s an opportunity to zero in on the cleaning tasks many of us tend to overlook.<\/p><p>&ldquo;Spring cleaning is more than just the general cleaning and tidying we do week-to-week,&rdquo; says <a href=\"https:\/\/thehomeorganisation.co.uk\/our-story\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Laura Price<\/a>, founder and creative director of The Home Organisation. &ldquo;It also doesn&rsquo;t just relate to cleaning; it could be decluttering, organizing or making home improvements &mdash; anything that will make a big change in our homes and to our lives.&rdquo;<\/p><p>Getting started with spring cleaning can be daunting, but a spring cleaning checklist can help you figure out which tasks to focus on first and whether it makes sense to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/house-cleaning\">hire a professional cleaner<\/a> for some (or all) of your to-dos. Here&rsquo;s a spring cleaning list that covers all areas of your home, along with some expert-approved spring cleaning tips to make the job easier, more efficient and less overwhelming.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>&ldquo;As a professional organizer, I view spring cleaning as a time of renewal and refreshment in our living spaces.&rdquo;<\/p><cite>&mdash; Olivia Parks, professional organizer<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-custom-dynamic-list key-takeaways-block\"><h3>Key takeaways<\/h3><div class=\"key-takeaways-container\"><ul><li>Spring cleaning isn&rsquo;t just about tidying &mdash; it&rsquo;s a full reset that includes deep cleaning, decluttering and reorganizing to make your home more functional and refreshing. Experts say it&rsquo;s a chance to go beyond routine chores and tackle neglected spaces like mattresses, pantries and window treatments.<\/li><li>A thorough spring clean boosts your home&rsquo;s efficiency, reduces allergens and helps prepare for the busier months ahead. Tackling one room at a time with a detailed checklist can make the process less overwhelming and more rewarding.<\/li><li>If motivation is hard to find, start small &mdash; one drawer, one closet one space &mdash; and celebrate each step. And remember, hiring a professional cleaner or organizer can help lighten the load and ensure your home feels renewed and refreshed.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-are-the-benefits-of-spring-cleaning\" data-toc-id=\"f403228f\">What are the benefits of spring cleaning?<\/h2><p>&ldquo;As a professional organizer, I view spring cleaning as a time of renewal and refreshment in our living spaces,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/professionalorganizerneworleans.com\/olivia-parks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Olivia Parks<\/a>, owner and lead organizer of Professional Organizer New Orleans. Here are some of the benefits of spring cleaning, according to our experts.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Takes your regular cleaning tasks to the next level<\/h3><p>Spring cleaning goes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/deep-cleaning-house\/\">beyond routine cleaning<\/a>, Parks says. It&rsquo;s a time to dive deeper into organizing your home, getting rid of items you no longer want or need, and dusting, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that you don&rsquo;t normally get to during your regular home cleaning routines.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Increases the functionality of your space<\/h3><p>Spring clean isn&rsquo;t just about cleaning your home, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s about making key changes to a space and how it functions,&rdquo; Price says. For example, while you might clean your kitchen surfaces weekly, during a spring cleaning you might end up removing everything from the cupboards and then cleaning, decluttering and reorganizing them &mdash; a complete reset of sorts, Price describes.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Helps you plan and prepare for the busier months ahead<\/h3><p>Winter tends to be a quieter season, one with fewer plans and more time indoors. &ldquo;For many of my clients, especially those with young children, spring cleaning is essential for the busy summer months coming up,&rdquo; Parks says. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a time when we can systematically go through each area of the home, ensuring everything is clean but also well-organized and functional.&rdquo;<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Offers protection from allergens&nbsp;<\/h3><p>Spring is a time when outdoor allergies ramp up, and pollen and other irritants can drift into your home, triggering allergies. When spring allergens are combined with common indoor allergens &mdash; like dust and mold &mdash; it can be a perfect storm for a major allergy attack, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/acaai.org\/resource\/double-duty-spring-cleaning-keep-healthy-and-tidy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology<\/a> (ACAAI).&nbsp;<\/p><p>Doing a thorough dusting and attacking any mold build-up in places like bathrooms and basements is essential as allergy season hits. The ACAAI also recommends changing air filters in the spring (or every three months) and using a vacuum with a HEPA filature to clear out dust and dust mites.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-toc-id=\"a619f9f4\">Room by room spring cleaning checklist<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2><p>Ready to get right down into it? Here&rsquo;s the ultimate spring cleaning check-list &mdash; arranged by room and featuring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/house-cleaning-tips-from-housekeepers\/\">expert cleaning tips<\/a> &mdash; to help you get started.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"735\" height=\"1102\" src=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Spring-cleaning-checklist.png\" alt=\"Room by room spring cleaning checklist\" class=\"wp-image-213382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Spring-cleaning-checklist.png 735w, https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Spring-cleaning-checklist-720x1080.png 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 735px) 100vw, 735px\"><\/figure><\/div><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Spring-cleaning-checklist.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click to download<\/a>&nbsp;this spring cleaning checklist as a PDF.)<\/em><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Living room<\/h3><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Dust furniture.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Dust hard-to-reach shelves.<\/strong> Consider investing in a high-quality extended duster for tight spaces, such as high shelves or corners of ceilings, says Vanessa Terra Bossart, owner of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenterracleaning.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Green Terra Cleaning<\/a>.<\/li><li><strong>Vacuum and spot clean upholstery<\/strong>.<\/li><li><strong>Clean pillows and throw blankets.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Dust lampshades and ceiling fans.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Clean windows.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Vacuum and clean floors. <\/strong>Consider shampooing or professionally cleaning carpet and rugs.<\/li><li><strong>Wipe down your TV.<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/confessionsofacleaninglady.com\/about-the-cleaning-lady\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sara San Angelo<\/a>, professional house cleaner and blogger at The Cleaning Lady, recommends using a cleaner designed specifically for screens, as Windex can damage your TV.<\/li><li><strong>Vacuum and clean under furniture.<\/strong> Some people forget to clean underneath the furniture, so expect to find quite a bit of cobwebs and dust there, San Angelo adds.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kitchen<\/h3><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Deep clean the oven.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Declutter and deep clean fridge and freezer.<\/strong> Be sure to keep food at a safe temperature while you work.<\/li><li><strong>Dust fridge coils. <\/strong>Unplug the refrigerator first, and consult your user manual for detailed instructions.<\/li><li><strong>Sweep and mop beneath large appliances.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Clean cabinets and drawers.<\/strong> Remove the dishes and utensils, dust and disinfect surfaces.<\/li><li><strong>Clean small kitchen appliances.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Clean out and wipe down the pantry shelves.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Clean the outside of the fridge.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Work on getting rid of old stains.<\/strong> A solution of baking soda and water is effective for stains, particularly on surfaces such as sinks and countertops, says Terra Bossart.<\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bathroom<\/h3><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Declutter bathroom surfaces.<\/strong> Discard any unused or expired cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, conditions or other products.<\/li><li><strong>Dust and clean any bathroom d&eacute;cor or wall art.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Wash towels and other linens.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Wash or replace the bath mat.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Deep clean the toilet.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Deep clean the sink.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Deep clean the bath and shower.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Scrub grout.<\/strong> An old toothbrush works great for getting in between tiles.<\/li><li><strong>Clean or replace shower liner.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>Home office<\/h3><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Clean computer, printers, phones and other equipment.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Organize and declutter papers.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Organize and declutter office supplies.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Dust surfaces.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Vacuum or sweep floors.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bedrooms<\/h3><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Wash sheets, pillow cases, blankets and comforters. <\/strong>Don&rsquo;t forget duvet covers and dust ruffles!<\/li><li><strong>Clean out and declutter your closet and dresser.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Vacuum under your bed.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Remove unwanted items from under your bed.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Clean windows and blinds or curtains.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Deep clean your mattress.<\/strong> Start by vacuuming the surface to remove dust, then spot clean any stains, suggests Nicola Davies, co-owner and founder of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tranquilhome.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tranquil Home<\/a>. Next, sprinkle baking soda on the mattress, leave it for a few hours, then vacuum it up. The baking soda will help deodorize and absorb moisture.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Outdoor spaces<\/h3><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Power wash driveway.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Clean outdoor furniture.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Declutter\/replace furniture that is in disrepair.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Reorganize and declutter your garage.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-can-i-get-motivated-to-spring-clean\" data-toc-id=\"af277bf0\">How can I get motivated to spring clean?<\/h2><p>Sometimes getting started with spring cleaning is the hardest part. This is usually because the job feels so big that people don&rsquo;t know how to begin, even when they have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/ultimate-household-chore-list\/\">chore list<\/a>. Hiring a cleaner is always a great option. Additionally, Parks&rsquo; advice is to just take it step by step.&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s better to start small so that you don&rsquo;t overwhelm yourself.&rdquo;<\/p><cite>&mdash; Olivia Parks<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure><p>&ldquo;My top tip for those who struggle to organize or clean their homes is to focus on one area at a time,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;This could mean one room, one closet or even one drawer in your kitchen. It&rsquo;s better to start small so that you don&rsquo;t overwhelm yourself.&rdquo; Parks also recommends focusing on the positive accomplishments you&rsquo;ve made after you&rsquo;ve cleaned each space, before moving on to the next space.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Finally, she suggests decluttering a few areas of your home <em>before<\/em> purchasing any new organizing products. &ldquo;Products can help, but I often see people purchasing organizing products before going through the items in a space, leading to more clutter,&rdquo; she advises.<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-bottom-line-on-spring-cleaning\" data-toc-id=\"35d435db\">The bottom line on spring cleaning<\/h2><p>Having a spring cleaning checklist can make spring cleaning more manageable and help you come up with a spring cleaning plan that works for you and your family. But it&rsquo;s still common to feel a bit in-over-your head, even once you have your spring cleaning list in hand.&nbsp;After all, it&rsquo;s a big job!<\/p><p>Remember that you don&rsquo;t have to do this alone. Hiring a professional house cleaner or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/home-organizers\">home organizer<\/a> is always an option, and it&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/the-cost-of-housekeeping-services-the-housekeeping-guide\/\">more affordable<\/a> than you might realize. Take it slow, get help when you need it and prepare to reap the benefits of a freshly cleaned, organized and decluttered space.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Use this room-by-room spring cleaning list and expert advice to clean, reorganize and declutter any space.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":979,"featured_media":197390,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"enable_toc":true,"care_reviewed_by":0,"care_post_updated_flag":false,"care_updated_date":"2025-11-11T17:06:12.785Z","last_update":"2025-11-11","view_count":1731,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"member-type":[3],"vertical":[9,18],"platform":[],"class_list":["post-197383","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","member-type-seeker","vertical-house-home","vertical-home-care-advice-tips"],"acf":[],"created":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197383","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/979"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=197383"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197383\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":223105,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197383\/revisions\/223105"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/197390"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=197383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=197383"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=197383"},{"taxonomy":"member-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/member-type?post=197383"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=197383"},{"taxonomy":"platform","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/platform?post=197383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}