The change of seasons makes an ideal time to clear out dust and clutter and reset your home for the warmer weather to come. Spring cleaning is more than your typical week-to-week maintenance cleaning, so it can be hard to know where to start. I’ve created a Spring Cleaning Checklist—available for download—and will share tips for getting all the items checked off your list.

baseboards + doors + walls

This is a great place to start and get the kids involved. Hand out some cleaning rags and have kids wipe down all the baseboards. Give them a starting and ending point, or tackle one room at a time. While they are working on baseboards, you can wipe down doors and walls. Take note of any areas that may need a touch-up of paint as you go.

carpets + rugs

Vacuuming alone won’t get all the dust and debris out of your carpeting. It’s a good idea to shampoo your carpets and have your rugs professionally cleaned once a year. You can rent a shampooer if you don’t own one—it’s so rewarding to see all the gunk you’re able to remove.

light fixtures

Remove glass coverings from your light fixtures and hand wash or run through the dishwasher. With the covers out of the way, thoroughly dust the rest of the fixtures—especially fan blades which are prone to throwing all kinds of dust particles into the air when turned on.

windows + window treatments

Remove curtains, drapes, and valances and wash them according to their instructions. Dust blinds and shutters with a damp cloth. Cleaning windows can be a tedious chore. I’ve found Norwex cleaning cloths make it go a little faster. First, wipe with a damp standard microfiber cloth then wipe again with a dry glass and mirror cloth for a no-chemical, streak-free shine. Don’t own a microfiber cloth? A vinegar and water solution works well, too. If you have window screens, be sure to wipe them down as well. Before you put window coverings back in place, check the caulking around your windows and reseal if needed.

trash cans

Soak trash cans in a bleach and water solution for at least 10 minutes to kill germs and eliminate odors.

bath mat + shower curtain

Bath mats and shower curtains should be washed much more frequently than just during your spring cleaning, but I understand life gets busy and these items can easily be forgotten. Most bath mats, shower curtains, and liners—even the plastic liners—are just fine to wash in your machine. Wash on cold and add a 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the cycle to cut through mildew and soap residue. Some bath mats can be placed in the dryer, others may need draped over the edge of the tub to air dry. Shower curtains and liners should be rehung on the curtain rod to air dry.

cabinets + drawers

Toothpaste, make-up, lotions, and creams can do a number on the drawers and cabinets. Clear out drawers and cabinets one at a time, and wipe down the inside and outside of each. Toss out any expired medicines and products, or items you no longer want, as you clean.

faucets

Hard water and soap scum can accumulate over time causing faucets to not only look dirty, but also not function their best. Saturate rags in white vinegar and set on and around the base of the faucets. For shower heads, secure vinegar-filled Ziplock bags using rubber bands. Let sit for a couple hours—or overnight. Wipe clean with a dry cloth and your faucets will look like new.

grout

Try using a bleach pen to lift stubborn stains from grout lines. Once cleaned and throughly dry, seal if needed.

closets

Dust closet shelving and vacuum the floor. Put away any clothes that are out of place and swap out seasonal items. Use this opportunity to remove any items that are no longer wanted—Need more tips? Read How to Clean Out and Organize Your Closet.

pillows + comforters

These items can typically be washed in the washing machine like any other load of laundry. I recommend using hot water, unless the instructions say otherwise. Comforters and duvets may be too large for your washing machine, if that’s the case, most laundromats and dry cleaners have machines large enough for the task.

mattress

Mix up this solution in a spray bottle: 3 Tbsp baking soda, 8 oz peroxide, 1 drop of dish soap, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil (if desired)—I recommend lavender to promote a good night’s sleep. While you’re washing sheets and covers, give each mattress in your home a good spritz of the solution. Once dry, vacuum. If you’re rolling your eyes at me about now—I get that! Life is busy. Who has time to spritz the mattress with essential oils? At the very least, run the vacuum over the mattresses. If you have a mattress that needs flipped or rotated occasionally, this is a great time to check that off your list as well.

cabinets

Wipe cabinetry inside and out. Tackle one cabinet at a time. Be sure to throw out expired spices, purge unwanted items, and organize as you go. Want kitchen organizing tips? Check out 7 Tips for Organizing Your Kitchen.

fridge + pantry

Remove everything throwing out expired foods and condiments as you empty each space. Wipe down all shelves, drawers, and bins. For an extra clean look, remove all unnecessary packaging—items like granola bar and individually-packaged snack boxes. Put everything back in a nice orderly fashion. :)

microwave

Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water. Add one lemon, sliced. Microwave for about 2 minutes. The steam will help release any stuck on foods, while the lemon gives a fresh scent. Dip a rag in the warm lemon water—be careful, let it cool a bit if it’s too hot—and wipe down the microwave inside and out.

oven + stove

I dislike using the self cleaning function of my oven—the fumes, smoke, the fear of starting a fire. Call me crazy, but I’d rather just use a little elbow grease. Remove the racks and wash by hand. For stuck on grease and grime, soak in a tub of white vinegar, then wash using dish soap. Make a baking soda paste by mixing baking soda and water. Rub the paste onto the surfaces of your oven and the inside of the oven door, paying extra attention to areas with spills and splatters. Cover the base of your oven and oven door with old rags or towels. Pour vinegar to saturate. Let sit—the longer you let it sit the easier it is to wipe the mess away. Wipe clean.

cabinets + shelves

Laundry room shelves can get gunky with spilled soaps and cleaners. Remove all products one cabinet at a time and clean each shelf before putting items back. Because laundry rooms become a drop zone, use this time to properly put away anything that is out of place.

dryer vent + lint trap

Wash the lint trap with a little dish soap to remove any oils and stuck-on lint. While that dries, remove the back of the lint trap (usually unscrewing a couple screws inside the dryer will free this piece and allow you to get a much deeper clean.) Using a vacuum with a narrow nozzle, reach as far as possible into the venting to suck up any lint that made it past the trap. A bbq skewer or chopstick can knock loose any lint trapped in the tight edges. While you’ve got the vacuum, be sure to clean under and behind the washer and dryer as best you can. Then, give the vent outside the house a thorough wipe down as well.
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If you want an even deeper clean throughout the entire vent system there are companies that offer this service. Just google 'dryer vent cleaning near me' to see all your local options.

washing machine

Have you ever noticed a funky smell coming from your washing machine? It happens from time to time—here’s how to get your machine clean and smelling fresh. Mix 1/4 cup of water with 1/4 cup of baking soda and pour into the detergent dispenser. Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the empty washing machine drum. Run a normal or sanitize cycle on the hottest water setting. To keep your washer fresh, leave the door or lid open for a few hours after each wash to allow it to fully dry. It’s a good idea to wipe down the interior with a dry cloth after use to speed up the drying process. Adding vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser with each load will help keep your washer clean and smelling fresh all year long—and no, it won’t make your clothes smell like vinegar, but it will make them extra soft. :)

toys

With the kids all home from school, there’s a good chance a lot of the toys are already out. I really can’t think of a better time to start wiping toys down with a disinfectant. Start handing out the wipes and put everyone to work on this one. Many toys can be ran through a sanitize cycle in the dishwasher, smaller pieces can be placed in a mesh laundry bag first. While your cleaning toys, go ahead and sort out anything that is no longer wanted to take to a donation center.

cars

Winter salt treatments can take a toll on your car, inside and out. Pick a nice sunny day and give your cars a thorough cleaning.

floors

To clean garage floors, start by sweeping or vacuuming with a shop vac. To get off all the winter salt and grime wash the floor using a deck brush and a solution of concrete cleaner—I’ve heard a solution of diluted Tide laundry detergent works just as well. After scrubbing, rinse suds away. Be careful to protect your walls, cabinets, and belongings from too much moisture when cleaning… and be careful not to slip on those wet floors!

garbage cans

City trash and recycling bins can get pretty gross and, as the weather warms, they might release a bit of a funk in your garage. Roll them out to the yard and rinse them out using the hose. Fill a spray bottle with a bleach water solution and spray down the can inside and out. Let sit for at least 10 minutes. Then, rinse clean with your hose and leave sit opened upside down or on it’s side to fully dry.

outdoor furniture

Use your garden hose to spray off outdoor furniture. Use a rag with warm water and dish soap to wipe up stubborn spots, then rinse suds away. Once the furniture is clean and dry, put outdoor cushions back in place, and you’re ready for grilling season.