A Simple Spring Cleaning Checklist To Help You Tackle It All

This post is all about tackling your spring cleaning checklist in an organized way!

As warmer weather approaches, I’m sure you’re already starting to stress about needing to deep clean the whole house. After all, few things feel as great as starting off spring with a fresh start and clean (literally) slate when it comes to your living space. This is the perfect time to leave behind all that holiday and long winter clutter and reset for the year.

Of course, a good old spring cleaning isn’t exactly the dream weekend project. I have to admit that even I, a self-proclaimed cleaning enthusiast, find it a bit of a daunting task when it comes to scrubbing each corner of my apartment. I’m sure you are familiar with that feeling, usually happening mid-way through the cleaning, when it doesn’t seem to be worth it anymore. I get it.

However, there are ways to make this process more enjoyable, and I am a firm believer that a strong plan is the most important of them all. In the wise words of Taylor Swift, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Over the years, I have found it much easier to approach spring cleaning when I have a definite idea of what steps I need to tackle over which period of time. Extensive planning takes a lot of the headache and procrastination away when the time to act comes around.

That’s why I wanted to share with you my spring cleaning checklist. I usually focus on one room at a time, completing room-specific tasks first and leaving house-wide chores at the end. For instance, it may be more manageable for me to deep clean my kitchen on a weekday evening. However, scrubbing the baseboards is something I would leave until the weekend as I know it will be a repetitive task that needs to be done with the same tools around the entire place.

Think of this list as the treasure map guiding you to the ultimate prize: a clean home free of clutter and hidden dirt. Essentially, your step-by-step, room-by-room plan to conquer all aspects of spring cleaning with confidence and relatively low stress. No more excuses to put off your spring cleaning plans or being confused at where to even start.

Choose a good podcast, charge your headphones, and get ready to tackle it all!

How Long Will Full Spring Cleaning Plans Take?

I’m afraid there is not a question with a one-size-fits-all answer. Key factors that will play a role in driving your spring cleaning schedule will be: size of your house/apartment, starting point in terms of clutter and dirt, amount to help you have available, efficiency of the tools you use.

Generally, for a solo effort, you should expect 6-10 hours for a 1 bedroom apartment. For a 3 to 4 bedroom home think instead 10-16 and multiple days for large family homes. Of course, the more people live in a home, the more clutter tends to build exponentially. Don’t set unrealistic goals for yourself – that’s the quickest way to never wanting to do this again.

Unless you are very confident in your spring cleaning routine, I highly recommend you split it up the first time around or if you’re trying new spring cleaning plans. Ultimately, it’s not about the length of time, but rather finding a set up that guarantees you can get it done in full without giving up halfway through!

The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist by Room
(Free Printable with room-by-room to-do list!)

​Entrance

• Sanitize Shoe Storage
• Empty out Coat Closet, Get Rid of Unused Items, and Introduce Pieces For The New Season
• Declutter
• Dust All Surfaces & Decorative Objects
• Sanitize Surfaces
• Clean Mirror

Living Room

• Dust & Clean TV Screen
• Dust & Sanitize TV Stand
• Dust & Sanitize Coffee Table & Decor
• (Replace Seasonal Coffee Table Decor if Needed)
• Vacuum Couch & Armchairs, Wash Covers if Applicable
• Wash Throw Pillows & Throw Blankets
• Dust Sideboards/Bookshelves
• Empty, Clean, Declutter & Organize All Cabinets/Closed Storage
• Dust Wall Art
• Dust Ceiling Corners
• Clean Light Fixtures & Replace Broken Light Bulbs

Dining Room

• Dust & Sanitize Dining Table
• Clean Dining Chairs (Wash if Covers Are Removable)
• Empty, Clean, Declutter, and Organize All Cabinets/Closed Storage
• Store Away Seasonal Hosting Supplies and Replace As Needed
• Replace the Seasonal Dining Table Centerpiece
• Dust Wall Decor

Pin It For Later!

​Kitchen/Pantry

• Empty & Clean All Cabinets
• Declutter Unused/Damaged Utensils
• Throw Away Expired Pantry Food
• Organize Remaining Dry Food, Utensils, and Appliances
• Clean Stove Top
• Deep Clean Sink Drain & Sink
• Deep Clean Oven (Inside & Outside)
• Clean All Surfaces
• Empty & Deep Clean Fridge
• Defrost Freezer
• Dust Open Shelves & Decorative Items
• Deep Clean Dish Washer with Ad-Hoc Product
• Replace All Cloths & Sponges
• Deep Clean Microwave
• Deep Clean Coffee Machine & Restock with Seasonal Drinks
• (Clean Kitchen Island Stools if Applicable)

Bedroom

• Wash Bedding & Mattress Pad
• Deep Clean & Flip Mattress
• Wash Pillows
• Empty, Clean, and Declutter Nightstands
• Dust Light Fixtures
• Dust & Sanitize Bedframe
• Empty, Clean, Declutter, and Reorganize Closet

Bathroom

• Wash Shower Curtains
• Empty, Clean, Declutter, and Organize Bathroom Cabinet
• Clean & Sanitize Bathroom Accessories (e.g., toothbrush holder, soap dispenser, towel hooks, shower caddy, etc.)
• Replace Toilet Brush
• Clean Tile Wall
• Deep Clean Sink & Shower Drain ( + Remove Hair Manually)
• Clean & Sanitize Sink
• Clean & Sanitize Bathroom/Shower
• Restock Toilet Paper
• Wash All Towels & Bath Mat
• Clean Mirrors
• Dust Light Fixtures

Laundry Room

• Deep Clean Washing Machine with Ad-hoc Product
• Empty, Clean, Declutter, and Organize Linen Closet
• Clean out Dryer Lint
• Empty, Clean & Organize Cabinets/Drawers
• Restock Cleaning Supplies
• Restock First-Aid Kit

Home Office/Studio 

• Empty, Clean, Declutter & Organize All Cabinets/Drawers
• Clean Desk
• Clean Desk Chair
• Dust Light Fixtures
• Dust & Clean Desktop Computer
• (Wash Throw Pillows/Blankets If Applicable)
• Organize Cables

Outdoor Areas

• Wash Outdoor Furniture
• Declutter & Organize Yard Tools
• Clean Garage Floor

Overall

• Wash Curtains & Clean Windows
• Wash Rugs (You may need to take them to the dry cleaner)
• Replace Any Broken Light Bulb
• Clean or Re-Paint Chipped Walls/Dirt Marks
• Clean Baseboards
• Ensure the Fire Extinguisher is Still Functional & Replace it if Needed
• Clean Ceiling Fan Blades
• Clean Radiators

My Favorite Cleaning Supplies

Now that you have a plan to get started with your spring cleaning, all you have left do is make sure you have all the supplies you need. I am sharing here some of my favorite cleaning tools and supplies I always use when I have to deep clean my apartment.

Before you start tackling your list, also make sure to wash and start fresh with all your cloths and cleaning pads!

To Conclude

This post was all about the ultimate spring cleaning checklist!

While a spring cleaning of the entire house may seem daunting at first, it’s a necessary task that needs to be completed yearly.

As you face each room, remember to focus on one thing at a time, setting realistic goals for yourself in terms of timeline. There is no need to complete a deep cleaning in 48 hours or less. After all, this is all about guaranteeing yourself a good quality of life in a clean and organized space. Driving yourself crazy with a million tasks and a self-imposed deadline will not help – especially if this is a solo endeavor for you!

So grab some headphones, put on your favorite podcast, slip on those gloves, and get ready to conquer spring cleaning stress-free this year!