Use Our Ultimate Spring-Cleaning Checklist to Give Your Home a Total Refresh

You most likely touch a lot of things throughout the day, gathering germs, grease and oils, and then immediately touch your phone screen or keyboard. Since electronics have such a fixed place in our lives, it’s important to keep them clean. Learn how to clean and disinfect your electronics.

Spring Cleaning Checklist

Get the most out of your spring cleaning by using our spring cleaning checklist. Tackle every room in your house – from bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen to the living room.

Every Room

• Wash Baseboards, door ceilings, window sills, doors, and walls.
• Vacuum and wash vents.
• Wash window treatments (drapes, etc.).
• Dust blinds.
• Wash Windows – inside and out
• Dust and shine overhead lights – replace burnt light bulbs.
• Dust and/or vacuum light fixtures and lamp shades.

Kitchen

• Clean out pantry.
• Wash kitchen cabinets.
• Deep clean oven.
• Move fridge – vacuum and mop behind it.
• Vacuum coils on fridge.
• Deep clean fridge inside – wash outside.

Living Room

• Dust and wash any and all mirrors, frames, and decorative items.
• Vacuum all upholstery.
• Vacuum all lamp shades.
• Dust furniture and fixtures.
• Wash all throw pillows and blankets (use steam).
• Dust and polish furniture.
• Vacuum and shampoo carpets – mop and wax if necessary.

Bedroom

• Wash all bedding.
• Wash all bed and throw pillows.
• Flip Mattress – if using pillow top, rotate mattress.
• Purge anything stored under bed you don’t want anymore.

Home

• Change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Check all electronics, make sure they are plugged in, cords are untangled and everything is plugged into a surge protector.
• Check expiration date on fire extinguisher.
• Sweep front porch and back deck.
• Store all winter items, clothes, and decorations.
• Disinfect all computer keyboards and mouse – Use compressed air to remove crumbs, dust and other particulates. Use a dampened microfiber cloth and wipe the keys down. Use dry microfiber to remove any leftover moisture. Disinfectant wipes are okay to use as well.

Bathroom

• Clean and disinfect tub and shower.
• Wash bathmats.
• Dust and replace decorative items.
• Wash and/or replace shower liners and shower curtains.

Other

• Discard old and expired makeup. Clean your makeup holders
• Update all your house first aid kits. Toss expired medication while sorting other medication.
• Dry clean any necessary winter clothing or items. Store all winter items for next year.
• Donate any unused clothes items to Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or other local community organizations.

Do you need more details to help you check those items off your list? We’ve got you covered.

Cleaning Every Room

Every room in the house has baseboards, yet they are often among the most overlooked areas of the home. However, when left uncleaned they can get pretty dirty and grimy. Learn how to clean your baseboards.

You’ll want clean walls to match your clean baseboards as well. However, you need to keep in mind what type of paint is on the wall, as that, plus the quality, can affect how easily dirt will come off. Learn how to clean painted walls.

Curtains and drapes can really make any room in your house pop. They can also collect dust and grime. A routine clean will spruce them up nice for spring. Learn how to clean window treatments.

Don’t stop at the curtains and drapes though. Your blinds collect a lot of dust as well, along with pet fur and dander. Don’t be like others and forget to give your blinds some love and care. Learn the best way to clean blinds.

While you’re at the window, you should go ahead and clean all the dirt and smudge marks off the glass. Then that area will really be looking good. Learn how to clean windows like a pro.

Cleaning the Kitchen

Shiny and clean cabinets can really make a kitchen look good. The oil slick that can build up on your cabinets is a combination of food smears, kitchen grease, lotion and oil. All-purpose cleaners aren’t often equal to the challenge. Learn how to clean kitchen cabinets.

If you own a self-cleaning oven, there are some things you need to know before firing it up. Learn the facts about your self-cleaning oven.

It may be spring now, but National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day is in the fall, and we created a fridge cleaning guide in honor of it that can still be useful to you this spring. Download our Merry Maids Fridge Cleaning Guide.

Cleaning the Living Room

Not only are fabric sofas fashionable, but they can also be very cozy. However, spills are going to happen from time to time and dirt and dust can collect on it. That’s why you’re going to need to learn how to properly clean it. Learn how to clean your fabric sofa.

Cleaning the Bedroom

Can you answer when the last time was that you washed your bed sheets and pillowcases? If you had to think about it, then it’s probably been too long. These things should ideally be washed on a weekly basis. Learn how to wash your bed linens.

Don’t just stop when you wash your bed sheets though. If you’re like many people, you probably don’t even think to clean your mattress and bed pad. However, it should be done at least a couple times a year. Learn how to clean your mattress.

While you’re in the bedroom, take some time to organize your closet into a more effective and efficient manner. We have seven tips to help you do so. Learn how to organize and declutter your closet.

Cleaning Your Home

You most likely touch a lot of things throughout the day, gathering germs, grease and oils, and then immediately touch your phone screen or keyboard. Since electronics have such a fixed place in our lives, it’s important to keep them clean. Learn how to clean and disinfect your electronics.

Though your entire home can become cluttered, there are certain areas where clutter can be more prevalent. The first step to keeping your home tidy throughout the year is identifying those areas. You can use your spring cleaning time to do that and then declutter. Learn the top five most cluttered places in your home.

If you have a home office, you know how important staying organized is for maximum productivity. Spend less time stressing and searching for documents by following these tips. Learn how to organize your home office.

If you’re a pet owner, then you know how difficult your pet can be to pick up after, especially when dealing with its hair. We have four tips to help you prepare for and pick up your dog’s messes. Learn how to clean up pet hair.

Cleaning the Bathroom

After a long day of work or taking care of the kids, there are not many things better than a relaxing bath or shower. However, if the shower is dirty, then you can kiss that relaxation goodbye. Make it a routine to clean your shower properly so that when it’s time to relax, you can do just that. Learn some shower cleaning tips.

When you’re cleaning your shower, don’t forget about the shower curtains. If you’re like many people, you’re probably not washing them often enough. You may not even be aware that it’s possible to clean your plastic shower curtains, rather you just replace them when they get dirty. Learn how to wash your shower curtains.

It’s a safe bet that cleaning the toilet isn’t one of your favorite ways to spend your time. However, someone has to do it. We’ve compiled a list of toilet-cleaning basics to help you tackle the job. Learn the basics for cleaning your toilet.

Other Cleaning Tips

When you’re cleaning, it’s important to use the proper cleaning solutions. It’s even more important to know that these cleaning solutions consist of chemicals and some combinations can be extremely hazardous to your health. Learn about cleaning products that don’t go together.

Smelly houses are bound to happen from time to time, even for the cleanest of homeowners. Air fresheners and candles can do a good job masking the smell temporarily, but you still need to treat the source of the smell. Learn how to deodorize your home.

Professional Cleaning Services

While the checklist is easy to follow, you can always forget about doing any of this yourself and contact the experts at Merry Maids today for your spring cleaning needs. Click here for a free estimate.

Use Our Ultimate Spring-Cleaning Checklist to Give Your Home a Total Refresh

Consider this your room-by-room game plan for your annual deep clean.

Madeline Buiano is an associate editor at MarthaStewart.com, sharing her knowledge on a range of topics—from gardening and cleaning to home and pets. She has five years of writing and editing experience in the digital publishing industry.

Spring is right around the corner, which means so is your home’s annual deep clean. Not only is spring cleaning a great way to reset (that’s what the season is all about!), but the yearly chore also gets rid of any accumulated dust and dander before allergy season reaches full swing. Cleaning your home from top to bottom may never become effortless, but you can make the project more manageable with our comprehensive checklist from Martha’s Homekeeping Handbook, complete with advice from cleaning experts.

Whether you prefer to proceed from the attic to the basement or start outdoors and wind your way inside, create a realistic schedule and focus on one task at a time. You’ll need several days for more involved projects, such as mopping floors and organizing closets, but in due time, you’ll check everything off your list—and have a sparkling clean home by the end of it.

Restock Your Cleaning Supplies

Before starting your spring cleaning journey, you’ll want to make sure you have all of the tools necessary to complete every task on your list. There are a handful of cleaning supplies you’ll need, but your list will be largely dictated by your own personal cleaning methods. As a general guide, though, most spring cleaning kits should ensure they have the following:

• Bucket
• Clean microfiber cloths
• Sponges
• Reusable spray bottle
• All-purpose cleaner
• Duster
• White distilled vinegar
• Baking soda
• Dish soap
• Vacuum
• Mop

What to Clean in Every Room

There are some general cleaning tasks you should complete in every room of your house, from your attic all the way to your basement.

1. Clean Baseboards

Spring cleaning is the perfect time to clean your baseboards. “Although they’re often overlooked, clean baseboards give your home the perfect finishing touch,” says Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority. Baseboards can be easily cleaned with a vacuum with a bristled brush hose attachment to remove any dust; then, wipe them down with a damp microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner.

2. Dust

No matter how much you try to prevent it, dust builds up in every room of the house. When dusting, work from the top of a room down, vacuuming the dust that settles on the floor. This includes hard-to-reach places, such as the tops of ceiling fans and window casings.

Don’t forget to also dust your books and bookshelves. Take everything off the shelves, and brush them (along with the 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. Vacuum

Go over all of your floors with a vacuum to get up any crumbs and loose dirt. “It’s common to track the bacteria and dirt from your shoes across the carpet,” says Stapf. “Not only can a buildup of grime break down your carpet fibers, but it can also harbor pollutants that may make you sick.”

4. Mop

Although you likely already mop your floors regularly, it’s a chore you should also add to your spring cleaning checklist. “Floors are one of the most exposed areas in our homes, which is why mopping them frequently is crucial in keeping your home clean” says Diane Amos, spokesperson for Pine Sol.

5. Shampoo Rugs

Synthetic carpets and rugs with waterproof backings can be deep-cleaned with a rotary shampoo machine and a hot-water extraction machine. Rugs without backings, including Oriental rugs, require professional cleaning.

6. Wipe Walls and Ceilings

Overtime our walls and ceilings build up with unwanted marks. To clean them, start by using a vacuum to remove dust. Next, 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).

7. Reseal Grout Lines

The cement-based material between wall, floor, and countertop tiles is extremely porous and stains easily. Protect it with a penetrating grout sealer—it’s best to apply it with a small foam brush.

8. 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 a vacuum’s upholstery and crevice tools to clean under seat cushions.

9. Polish Metal Door and Window Hardware

Return dull knobs, hinges, and other metal finishes to their former glory with a quick polish. Liquid polishes and polish-impregnated cloths work well for medium-tarnished surfaces, while pastes and creams are best for heavier work.

10. Wax Surfaces

Wipe wooden surfaces with a soft cloth dampened with water and mild dishwashing liquid. Apply paste wax a few feet at a time with a cotton rag folded into a square pad. Let the wax dry; buff with a clean cloth.

Additionally, vinyl and linoleum floors that have lost their shine should be waxed with a polish designed for these surfaces. Most stone and tile floors can be treated with either a paste or a liquid wax designed for the material.

11. Clean Window Furnishings

Drapes, curtains, and blinds should also be tended to. “While we may not directly interact with them, curtains can accumulate dust and odors from around the home and need to be cleaned,” says Stapf. “Give the curtains a little extra TLC once every season, but look at their material before throwing them in the washing machine. Some may need to be sent to the dry cleaners.”

12. Wash Window Screens

Window screens get very dirty throughout the year. Clean them using warm water and a mild dishwashing liquid, scrubbing each screen with a brush. Once clean, rinse them thoroughly with water.

13. Clean Light Fixtures

Light fixtures are a hub for dust. “Your ceiling fan is a great place to start—just make sure you turn off the light bulb and let it cool before wiping them down,” says Amos. “When it comes to your lamps, be sure to unplug those as it gives them time to cool off before starting the cleaning process.”

14. Implement 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.

Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklists

Now that you know which tasks are universal, add these room-by-room tasks to your master list.

Kitchen

• Dust refrigerator coils
• Defrost the freezer
• Clean out pantry
• Deep clean oven
• Deep clean inside refrigerator
• Clean cabinets
• Clean small appliances

Bathroom

• Discard expired cosmetics and beauty products
• Update first-aid kit
• Deep clean shower
• Wash bathmats
• Deep clean toilet and sink
• Wash towels and linens
• Replace or wash shower liner
• Clean grout

Bedroom

• Wash all bedding
• Deep clean your mattress
• Declutter closet, dresser, and under your bed
• Wash pillows

Home Office

• Organize files
• Clean computer
• Organize office supplies

Outdoor Spaces

• Scrub deck and patio
• Wash driveway
• Treat mildew
• Wash outdoor furniture
• Check for damaged wires and connections on light fixtures

Utility Spaces

• Discard or donate unwanted items
• Deep clean washing machine
• Move storage boxes off the ground
• Clean dryer vent
• Organize laundry supplies