Spring Cleaning Checklist: What to Clean Room-by-Room
Here's how to freshen up your home for the season!
A spring cleaning checklist helps you tackle every room in your home without missing a step. Whether you’re deep cleaning after winter or resetting your space for a new season, this room-by-room guide breaks down exactly what to clean, declutter, and update for a lighter, more organized home.
Must-Have Cleaning Supplies
- Dusters
- Microfiber cloths
- Sponges
- Bucket
- Vacuum cleaner
- Steam cleaner or carpet cleaner
- Mop
- All-purpose surface cleaning solution
- Glass cleaner
- Disinfectant wipes
- Empty spray bottle
- White distilled vinegar & baking soda
- Dish soap
- Extra trash bags
Every Room
- Wash baseboards, walls, and doors
- Clean windows (inside and out) and windowsills
- Wash curtains or drapes and dust blinds
- Dust lamps, light fixtures, and ceiling fans
- Dust furniture and decorative surfaces
- Sweep and mop hard floors
- Vacuum carpets and consider deep cleaning high-traffic areas
- Replace burnt-out lightbulbs
- Clean or replace air vents and filters
- Polish metal hardware
- Sanitize frequently touched surfaces like door handles
- Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Check fire extinguisher expiration dates
Entryways
- Dust all surfaces including console tables and other entryway furniture
- Clean or replace entryway rugs
- Vacuum and mop the floors, paying extra attention to the area near the door
- Clean and reorganize entryway storage like shoe bins, hall trees, or coat closets
- Dust and wash entryway mirrors
Living Rooms
- Dust furniture, decorative objects, and bookshelves
- Dust fireplace mantels
- Clean mirrors and picture frames
- Vacuum upholstery and floors, especially under the sofa
- Steam clean upholstery or wash slipcovers
- Wash curtains or drapes
- Fluff, wash, or replace throw pillows and blankets
- Sanitize remote controls and electronics
- Replace worn area rugs
- Clean inside fireplaces (hire a professional for wood-burning fireplaces; for gas or electric, turn off before dusting and vacuuming)
Tip!
Take a look at these guides for the best practices for cleaning living room furniture and decor:
Cleaning 101: How to Clean a Sofa
Cleaning 101: How to Wash Pillows
Cleaning 101: How to Clean an Area Rug
Kitchens
- Clear out the refrigerator and freezer and clean the interior
- Discard expired or unwanted food
- Clean out the pantry, including shelves and floors
- Reorganize the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer by category
- Empty, wipe down, and reorganize kitchen cabinets and drawers
- Discard or recycle food containers missing lids
- Clean major appliances, including the stovetop, oven, dishwasher, sink, and microwave
- Degrease the backsplash and cabinet doors near the stove
- Clean countertops and countertop appliances
- Use drawer organizers to sort utensils and tools
- Dust the top of the refrigerator
- Vacuum and mop floors
Tip!
These guides walk you through how to tackle cluttered areas of your kitchen:
How to Organize a Pantry 101: Your Guide to Success
How to Organize a Fridge
How to Clean Your Kitchen on a Budget
Dining Rooms
- Dust and clean sideboards, dining tables, and other furniture
- Dust light fixtures, especially those above the table
- Vacuum and mop floors and clean area rugs
- Polish and organize silverware
Bedrooms
- Wash all bedding, including sheets and pillowcases
- Replace worn or outdated bedding and pillows
- Treat mattress stains with a vinegar and water solution
- Deodorize your mattress with baking soda
- Flip or rotate your mattress, if needed
- Dust furniture and decorative surfaces
- Vacuum carpets or mop hard floors
- Sort through closet and drawers and remove unused clothing
- Store out-of-season clothes and swap in spring and summer pieces
- Organize your closet and drawers to maintain a clutter-free space
Tip!
Reference these guides for specific bedroom cleaning tips and organization hacks:
Cleaning 101: How to Clean a Mattress
How to Organize a Closet On Any Budget
Bathrooms
- Clean the tub, shower, sink, toilet, and countertops
- Clean mirrors and glass surfaces
- Replace old toiletries, loofahs, and toothbrushes
- Wash or replace the shower curtain or liner
- Wash or replace bath mats
- Dust shelves and decorative objects
- Declutter and organize cabinets and drawers
- Discard expired makeup and clean and organize brushes
- Safely dispose of expired medications
- Check and restock first aid supplies
- Vacuum and mop floors
Tip!
Take a look at these cleaning and organization guides to help with your bathroom spring cleaning:
Cleaning 101: How to Clean a Shower Curtain & Liner
Get Organized With These Bathroom Storage Ideas (With Photos!)
Laundry Rooms
- Clean the dryer vent to remove excess lint
- Pull the washer and dryer away from the wall to clean behind them and retrieve any lost items
- Reorganize laundry supplies for easier access
- Vacuum and mop floors
- Replace broken or flimsy hangers
- Discard unmatched socks
Tip!
Review How to Organize a Laundry Room in 5 Easy Steps to transform your laundry routine.
Home Offices
- Wipe-down your desk and work surfaces
- Dust your keyboard, monitor, and other electronics
- Update and organize files
- Vacuum, mop, or shampoo floors depending on your floor type
Tip!
Here are 13 Must-Have Home Office Organization Ideas (With Photos!) to inspire you to get your files in order.
Garages & Basements
- Declutter and organize tools, sports equipment, and stored items
- Sort through belongings and set aside items to donate or discard
- Sweep floors to remove dust and debris
- Clean the interior and exterior of the garage door
- Replace garage door opener batteries if needed
- Inspect for signs of pests, including droppings or damage
Tip!
Browse our guide on Decluttering Your Life: How to Organize a Garage for more tips.
Outdoor Spaces
- Wash patio furniture
- Power-wash decks or patio flooring
- Clean or replace outdoor rugs
- Replace worn or stained cushions and pillows
- Check umbrellas and gazebos for damage or tears
- Prep planters and garden beds for new growth
- Pick up pet waste or outdoor clutter
- Mow or trim the lawn
- Organize your garden shed or outdoor storage



