Let's face it: When the weather finally starts to warm up after a long winter, the last thing we want to do is stay cooped inside, cleaning the house from top to bottom. But by spring cleaning, we get to air out rooms, check for home repairs that need to be done, donate items the family is no longer using to charity, and make the home feel fresh, clean, and ready for summer.
Because it's easy to get overwhelmed at the thought of tackling the entire house single-spongedly, it's a good idea to start off with a spring cleaning checklist. A comprehensive (but not overboard) list makes the job feel more manageable and helps make sure nothing important falls though the cracks (like cleaning the space under the fridge!). That's why we've compiled one.
Spring Cleaning List
Kitchen
Clean and organize pantry (check "use by" dates on all foods!)
Clean and organize fridge and freezer (check "use by" dates on all foods!)
Clean light fixtures
Clean stove hood
Dust tops of fridge/cabinets
Wash cabinet fronts
Clean backsplash
Clean counter
Clean microwave
Deep clean dishwasher
Deep clean sink and garbage disposal
Wipe down kitchen table and chairs
Clean refrigerator coils
Sweep and mop floor (under fridge too!)
Living Room
Dust shelves
Dust lamps
Clean upholstery
Clean carpet or rug stains
Vacuum
Bedrooms
Deep clean mattresses
Wash pillows
Wash bedding
Wipe down dressers
Donate old/unused clothing and toys
Dust
Sweep/mop
Bathroom
Clean toilet
Wipe counters
Deep clean shower head
Clean shower curtain
Wipe sinks and counters
Sweep/mop
General
Wash walls
Wash railings
Wipe baseboard
Wipe light switches
Dust ceiling fans
Wipe door handles
Disinfect remote controls and phones
Dust electronics
Deep clean washing machine
Clean dryer vent
Clean interior window casings
Clean central air vents
Of course, no mom can finish a spring cleaning list like this one without a few shortcuts, so read on for our favorite hacks for getting the job done more quickly and easily.
One-step baseboard cleaning hack
It seems like wiping down the baseboards always falls to the bottom of the to-do list. A super easy way to get the job done? Use a dryer sheet to catch the dust and make them gleam in no time.
How to fold a fitted sheet
No, wadding a fitted sheet into a ball and shoving into the closet doesn't count as "folding." Luckily there are a few different methods to folding a fitted sheet for one as perfect as Martha's.
Get permanent marker off wood easily
Kids are like heat-seeking missiles when it comes to getting into things they're not supposed to have. If the wood floors or furniture have fallen victim to permanent marker, there's an easy solution to be found in the bathroom.
How to clean bed pillows
Changing the pillowcases regularly is a great start, but dead skin cells and sweat build up (ew), making it a good idea to give entire pillows a good spring cleaning. It's easy to DIY.
Clean upholstery easily
The secret to cleaning upholstered furniture easily? Harvesting the bubbles from the cleaning solution to do the scrubbing, not the water.
How to remove stains from a mattress
We sleep on them every night, so it's no surprise that our mattresses can get stained from sweat over time. Keep them looking and smelling like new with some baking soda, vinegar, and a little help from the vacuum.
Lampshade dusting trick
Lampshade dust is like a fungus. Once it starts to accumulate, it can be nearly impossible to destroy it all. Enter the lint roller, and say hello to dust-free lamp shades in no time.
How to clean air vent covers
Air vent covers. The house has them, and chances are, like elbows, they probably get neglected. Here's how to clean them easily and thoroughly.
Remove stickers from walls easily & without damage
We love the way our kids light up over a simple sticker, but hate how they plaster them all over the walls. Sure, that robot sticker is cute, but it's not exactly matching the decor in the dining room. Fortunately a little heat is all it takes to make them disappear without a trace.
Easy way to clean window tracks
It's easy to forget to clean the window tracks, so by the time we realize they need to be clean they're usually super gross! Some baking soda, vinegar, an old toothbrush, and some rags are all that's needed to make them look like new in no time.
Disinfect toys quickly with the dishwasher
The dishwasher is good for more than dealing with the bowls from last night's chili. Gather up plastic toys and run them through a gentle, no heat drying cycle to banish germs in a jiffy.
Clean the dryer vent like a pro
We can't see the dust that settles in the dryer vent, but cleaning it out is an important part of any good spring cleaning. Not only will it help the dryer run more efficiently, it also keeps the family safe from house fires. All it takes is a vacuum and a kit purchased online or from any home improvement store.
DIY Swiffer pads
The Swiffer is great at picking up dust and pet hair, but those pads can get pricey. Instead, grab one of those fuzzy socks from Christmas (we all have them) for a DIY Swiffer pad that's amazing at grabbing gunk off the floors.
How to deep-clean the washing machine
The washing machine is a beast when it comes to destroying stains and cleaning clothes. But every spring it needs a little TLC of its own. The best part? No harsh chemicals are required, just baking soda and vinegar.
Easy way to clean the walls
Since the rest of the house is getting a rubdown, might as well clean the walls too, right? If a fancy mop isn't handy, a damp washcloth draped over a broom is all it takes to realize that beige paint is actually more of an off-white.
Clean Legos in the washing machine
Got a kiddo who's in love with Legos? Keep their building sessions germ-free by tossing Legos in a mesh bag and running them through a gentle wash cycle.
Mini-blind cleaning hack
The secret to getting those living room mini-blinds dust free is actually in the kitchen! A pair of tongs, a couple of microfiber cloths, and some rubber bands combine to create the perfect tool to dust blinds easily and effectively.
Make fireplace bricks look like new
Relaxing by the fire all winter is delightful, but no one likes looking at the soot come spring. Banish the black stuff easily with a paste made from salt and dishwashing soap.
Remove carpet stains for good
For ancient carpet stains that fight every chemical cleaner thrown at them, it's time to get heated. Water, dish soap, vinegar, and a secret weapon iron will banish old carpet stains in no time.
Make stainless steel appliances shine
That stainless steel fridge looked amazing in the showroom, but at home it's always covered in tiny fingerprints. The secret to getting appliances to sparkle? A thin coat of mineral or baby oil.
Clean stove burners -- no scrubbing required!
We all want clean stove burners, but who has hours (and the forearm strength!) to scrub them? An overnight soak in a sealed bag of ammonia will have them looking like new — no scrubbing required.
Easy trick to clean a microwave
Microwaves are super handy to get dinner done fast, but they can get covered in crud. Skip the scrubbing and chemical smells and steam a microwave sparkling clean using vinegar and lemons.
Get oven glass crystal clear
To make oven glass totally see-through again, all it takes is elbow grease and two words: Magic Eraser.
De-grease cabinet doors
Between cooking vapors and fingerprint oils, kitchen cabinets can get a layer of film over time. There are a few ways to make kitchen cabinets look new again, depending on how greasy they are. Start with a simple soap solution. If they still need more TLC, move on to a baking soda paste. If that doesn't get the job done, add vinegar to the mix. If all else fails, reach for the Borax.
Clean the garbage disposal
The garbage disposal works hard getting rid of all kinds of food scraps, but that also means it can smell hard too. Keep it deodorized, and make the whole kitchen smell fresh by making and crunching some vinegar and lemon ice cubes.
How to clean a slow cooker
Sure, the slow cooker insert gets washed after each delicious meal, but what about the metal insert that holds it? Grab a can of oven cleaner and get ready to be amazed at how easy it is to make a slow cooker look brand new again.
30-minute fridge cleaning plan
No one likes cleaning out the fridge. Luckily there's a plan to get the inside of the fridge spotless in only half an hour.
How to clean the dishwasher
It makes sense to want the machine that cleans our dishes and utensils to be super clean too. To get the dishwasher in tiptop order, run a bowl of vinegar through the hottest wash setting. Remember to put it on the top rack!
How to clean a toaster
We use the toaster almost every day, yet rarely give it the cleaning it deserves. Here's how to clean a toaster in just five simple steps, so the counters aren't covered in crumbs after every breakfast.
How to clean oven racks
To get oven racks that look like new, just lay them in the sink, sprinkle them with baking soda, and spritz with vinegar. Give it some time, and a sponge should take care of the rest!
Cotton ball mold fighter trick
Nothing seeps the Ah! out of a relaxing bath faster than looking around the rim of the tub and seeing mold. Ick. Luckily there's a way to get rid of it without working up a sweat. Soak cotton balls in cleaner and let them fight the gross stuff for a while. The mold will vanish like magic!
How to clean toilet stains
No scrubbing or chemicals are needed to banish gross toilet bowel stains! Just soak a paper towel in vinegar and let it sit on the stains for a couple hours. The stain will lift away like magic, leaving the porcelain in pristine condition.
How to clean a shower head
Nothing makes a shower feel unclean like a limescale-coated shower head. Get it sparking again by wrapping it with a bag filled with vinegar and some lemon juice or essential oils. Now the shower will be squeaky clean, without having to scrub!
No-scrub solution to clean a shower curtain
Want to clean a shower curtain without using a sponge? (No, we're not talking about throwing it out and buying a new one!) To clean a shower curtain without scrubbing, simply toss it in the wash.
How to get rid of a urine smell
No matter how often the bathroom gets cleaned, every mom of little boys with bad aim knows that fighting the smell of pee can be a losing battle. Adding vinegar to your toilet tank and cleaning it with a paste of baking soda and lemon juice will help win the pee smell war!
How to clean glass shower doors
Magic Erasers are the boss for getting lots of junk off glass shower doors. But for weekly upkeep, here's a handy hack: Wipe glass doors down with clean pantyhose for a streak-free shine.
Easiest way to clean the tub
Between picking up Legos and changing diapers, moms bend over enough. Why should we do it when we scrub the tub too? Instead, grab a clean broom and turn it into a long-handled tub brush in this bathroom cleaning hack that will save the back.
Bathroom faucet cleaning hack
Want a super easy way to get bathroom faucets sparkling? Wipe them down with the used dryer sheet from the last load of laundry. Resourceful and quick cleaning in one simple step!
Genius ceiling fan cleaning hack
Cleaning the ceiling fan on the regular is a must for getting lung-irritating dust out of the air. But a regular duster will just stir it all back into the air (or worse — move it on to the bed!). Here's an amazing hack for getting fans dust-free while keeping the rest of the house clean too — use a pillowcase to swipe dust off the fan blades. All of the dust gets trapped inside and the pillowcase can go straight into the wash.
DIY Febreze
Fabric refreshing sprays like Febreze can make the house smell great, but their cost can add up quickly, especially in a household with kids and pets. Luckily, there's a home-brew version that requires just a few simple ingredients and smells just as good.