Spring is the perfect opportunity to give your home a fresh start, but a full house clean can quickly feel overwhelming. Instead of trying to tackle everything in one day, breaking the job down room by room can make the process more manageable.
Also see: Top Six Spring Cleaning Tips to Refresh Your Home and Mind
Martha Stewart recommends focusing on one task at a time and creating a realistic schedule, while cleaning experts also suggest working systematically through each room.
Here’s a practical spring-cleaning checklist to help you get started.
Start with every room
Before focusing on individual spaces, tackle a few jobs throughout the house:
- Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures and vents.
- Wipe down doors, handles and switches.
- Clean windows, frames and mirrors.
- Dust or wipe down baseboards.
- Vacuum carpets, rugs and hard-to-reach areas.
- Mop floors.
- Remove clutter and decide what can be donated, recycled or thrown away.
Good Housekeeping recommends working from the top of a room downwards, so dust and debris can be cleaned from the floor at the end.
Kitchen
The kitchen often needs extra attention because of grease, food spills and appliances.
Checklist:
- Empty and clean the refrigerator and freezer.
- Check the pantry and discard expired food.
- Deep-clean the oven and microwave.
- Wipe cabinet doors and shelves.
- Clean small appliances.
- Degrease the stovetop and extractor hood.
- Clean the sink and rubbish bins.
- Mop the floor.
Martha Stewart’s spring-cleaning checklist also recommends cleaning refrigerator coils and organising kitchen storage.
Also see: Spring cleaning your bedroom for a better night’s sleep
Bathroom
Give your bathroom a thorough refresh by focusing on areas that may be missed during regular cleaning.
Checklist:
- Scrub the shower, bath and tiles.
- Clean the toilet inside and out.
- Wash bath mats and towels.
- Clean the sink and countertops.
- Check grout for dirt or discolouration.
- Clean mirrors.
- Declutter expired toiletries and cosmetics.
Bedroom
A clean bedroom can make the space feel instantly fresher.
Checklist:
- Wash bedding, blankets and pillowcases.
- Clean or vacuum the mattress.
- Declutter your wardrobe and drawers.
- Vacuum underneath the bed.
- Dust bedside tables, lamps and other furniture.
- Wash curtains or clean blinds according to their care instructions.
Good Housekeeping includes washing bedding, cleaning mattresses and organising wardrobes among its recommended bedroom spring-cleaning tasks.
Living room
Focus on furniture, fabrics and the areas that collect dust.
Checklist:
- Dust shelves, furniture and décor.
- Vacuum sofas and underneath cushions.
- Wash throw blankets and cushion covers.
- Clean television screens carefully.
- Vacuum or deep-clean rugs.
- Declutter books, magazines and unused items.
Home office
If you work or study from home, don’t forget your workspace.
Checklist:
- Organise paperwork and files.
- Clear unnecessary items from your desk.
- Wipe down your keyboard, mouse and other equipment.
- Dust shelves and electronics.
- Organise stationery and cables.
Laundry and storage areas
Spring cleaning is also a good time to tackle utility spaces that are often overlooked.
Checklist:
- Clean the washing machine.
- Empty and clean the lint trap.
- Organise detergents and cleaning supplies.
- Wash laundry hampers.
- Declutter storage boxes.
- Donate unwanted household items.
Take it one room at a time
You don’t have to finish your entire home in one weekend. Martha Stewart notes that tackling one room at a time can make deep cleaning more manageable, while a recent guide also highlights the “one room a day” approach as a way to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Put on some music, gather your cleaning supplies and work through the checklist at your own pace. By the time you’re finished, your home can feel cleaner, more organised and ready for the new season.
Also see: Spring refresh: small changes to revitalise your home decor
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