10 Best Spring-Cleaning Ideas

Ready to make your home as fresh as springtime? We’ve curated our top 10 spring cleaning tips from experts like Martha Stewart and Good Housekeeping—as well as a few of our own. We hope they help make your spring cleaning a breeze!

Preparing for Spring Cleaning

Before diving into the deep cleaning process, it's a good idea to make a few preparations to ensure a smooth and efficient experience. Here are a few ways to prepare for your spring cleaning endeavor: 

Set a schedule

Block out dedicated time in your calendar to focus on spring cleaning. Determine how much time you’ll need and plan accordingly, considering the size of your home and the extent of the cleaning required. Be sure to add some extra time for all those unexpected cleaning tasks you may have missed in your original plan!

Gather supplies

Take inventory of your cleaning supplies and make a checklist of any additional items you might need. Stock up on essentials such as all-purpose cleaners, microfiber cloths, gloves, vacuum bags, and any specialized cleaning solutions for specific surfaces.

Enlist help

Spring cleaning doesn't have to be a solo endeavor, and many hands make light work! Enlist the help of family members or friends to divide the workload and make the process more enjoyable.

Declutter and Organize

A clutter-free home is not only visually appealing but also promotes a sense of calm and productivity. Use these decluttering and organizing tips to simplify your space:

Sort and donate

Go through each room, one at a time, and separate items into three categories: keep, donate, and discard. Be honest with yourself and let go of things you no longer need or use. Donate usable items to local charities or host a garage sale to give them a second life.

Storage solutions

Invest in storage containers, bins, and organizers to streamline your belongings. Label each container to easily identify its contents, and find dedicated spaces for frequently used items, ensuring they're easily accessible.

Designate zones

To help your organization and decluttering stick throughout the year, assign specific purposes to different areas within each room. For example, designate a reading nook in the living room where books will live, or a workstation in the bedroom that can be the home of anything job-related. This will not only help make your spring cleaning go smoother, but any tidying you do later in the year will be much easier because you will already know where everything goes. 

Room-by-Room Cleaning Tips

Now that the clutter is under control, it's time to give each room a thorough cleaning. Consider the following tips for a room-by-room approach:

a) Living Room: Vacuum upholstery, dust surfaces, and clean windows. Launder or dry-clean removable cushion covers and curtains. Wipe down electronics and sanitize remote controls.

Kitchen

Clear out and clean the pantry, discard any expired food, and wipe down the shelves. Degrease the stovetop, clean oven and refrigerator interiors, and descale the coffee maker with white vinegar. Don't forget to clean the dishwasher and garbage disposal! 

And here’s a bonus tip: you can use your dishwasher to clean more than your dishes. Throw in toothbrush holders, sponges, plastic hair brushes, glass light fixtures, and toys to get an easy, fast all-over clean.

Bedrooms

Launder your bedding, including pillows and mattress covers. Dust surfaces, clean mirrors, and vacuum or steam-clean carpets (but never steam-clean your rugs!). Organize closets, store out of season clothing, and donate items you no longer wear.

Change out your heavier winter bedding for lighter, more breathable linen or lighter cotton sheets. If you have a heavy comforter, consider swapping it for a lighter blanket for the spring and summer months. 

Bathrooms

Thoroughly scrub and disinfect the toilet, sink, shower, and bathtub. And since this is spring cleaning, you should be sure to do more than a simple wipe down: get in there with a scrub brush to make sure all nooks and crannies are sparkling clean. 

Once that is done, clean the mirrors, replace the shower curtains or liners if necessary, and wash the bath mats. 

Finally, organize the cabinets and be sure to throw out any expired medications and old beauty products. 

Spring Cleaning Chore Checklist

Use this spring cleaning checklist to make your whole house feel as new as springtime. 

1. Clean your rugs. Vacuum your rugs thoroughly, paying attention to high-traffic areas. You can also shake out and beat rugs to remove embedded dirt and dust before vacuuming to make it easier on your vacuum. 

2. Dust books and shelves. Take everything off the shelves, and brush shelves and books with a feather duster. Use the dust brush or crevice tool on a vacuum to reach into tight spots. Wipe the spines of leather-bound books with a clean, soft cloth.

3. Wipe walls and ceilings. Use a vacuum to remove dust. Tackle stubborn surface grime, especially prevalent in kitchens, with a solvent-free degreaser (test it first in an inconspicuous area to ensure it won’t mar the surface). While you’re scrubbing the walls, make sure to wipe down your windows and window screens as well. 

4. Clean upholstered furnishings. Take cushions outside and gently beat them by hand to remove dust. If there are stains, check the pieces for care labels. Use the vacuum’s upholstery and crevice tools to clean under seat cushions.

5. Dust your home thoroughly. This includes hard-to-reach places, such as the tops of ceiling fans and window casings. Always work from the top of a room down. Vacuum the dust that settles on the floor.

6. Clean up your outdoor areas. Spring cleaning isn't limited to the indoors. Spruce up your outdoor spaces by power-washing patios, decks, and walkways. Clean outdoor furniture, planters, and grills. Trim bushes and shrubs, and refresh flower beds with new mulch or soil.

7. Ensure fire safety. Change batteries in smoke detectors (this should be done twice a year), and make sure units are free of dust. Teach everyone in your household how to use a fire extinguisher, and review escape plans.

8. Clean air vents and swap filters. Remove dust and debris from air vents using a vacuum cleaner or damp cloth. Replace or clean air filters in your HVAC system to ensure optimal air quality.

9. Polish metal door and window hardware. Liquid polishes and polish-permeated cloths work well for moderately tarnished surfaces; pastes and creams are for heavier work. If tarnish doesn’t come off, try a stronger product.

10. Clean window treatments. Many draperies and curtains are machine washable; check the label to be sure you are safely cleaning your drapes. Wipe wooden blinds with a damp cloth; warm water mixed with a mild dishwashing liquid is safe for metal and vinyl blinds. You can also use a dry microfiber cloth or a paper towel to dust any type of blinds. 

Spring for a New Rug 

Now that your home is sparkling clean and refreshed for spring, it’s time to add a new rug to finish the look! Browse our complete selection of custom rugs and find the right one for your home.