32 Must-Do Spring Cleaning Tasks

Follow our simple spring cleaning checklist to get your home organized in no time.

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By: Emily Fazio

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Around the House

Curtains are definite dust collectors. If you simply need to clean dirt and pet fur off the lower part of your drapes, consider using a sticky lint roller. For a deeper clean, take them down, remove hooks, and run them through an air-fluff cycle in the dryer with a damp towel for 15 minutes (the towel will attract the dust). Re-hang them immediately.

From: Chango and Co.

Around the House

Dust blinds regularly with a microfiber cloth, working left to right, and blade by blade from the top to the bottom on each window.

Around the House

Clean the blades of a ceiling fan by covering them with a coat of furniture polish. Wipe off the excess and lightly buff. Alternatively, you can fit a pillowcase around the fan blade, and use it as a dust rag. Any dust that falls will land into the pillowcase rather than on the floor or furniture below.

Around the House

Wash the inside of your windows right down to the sills. Open the windows and use a damp cloth to collect and clean any dust, dirt, or (yes) bug colonies that lived between the glass and the screen.

Around the House

To quickly clean screens, use a scrap of carpeting. It makes a powerful brush that removes all the dirt. For a deeper clean, remove the screens, and rub them with kerosene on both sides. Use a soapy solution and a microfiber cloth to clean them, and then use hose water to gently rinse away the soap. Make sure to do this in a well-ventilated area outdoors due to the use of kerosene.

WATCH: Fix a Ripped Window Screen

From: Tiffany Brooks

Around the House

Dust end tables and open shelves in your home thoroughly to keep allergies at bay and finishes looking their best. Now is also the time to get to all the places you've been neglecting throughout the year, including ceiling fans, above kitchen cabinets, baseboards, and doorways.

Around the House

Wash out trash cans. To really clean garbage cans, spray them with a hose and dump out the water. Next, spray the inside with a disinfectant spray, scrub with a handled brush and rinse. Leave them upside down to dry.

Around the House

Give your wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs extra attention. An annual steam clean helps to lift stains and refresh the fibers in high-traffic areas.

From: Brooke Wagner

Around the House

Move furniture around so that it's easier to clean underneath. Take the time to sweep, steam clean, and polish wood floors if they need extra shine.

Around the House

Pass a vacuum with an upholstery attachment over the furniture in your home to collect fur, dirt, and even food crumbs that build up in the fibers. Vacuum underneath the cushions and treat dirty spots according to the care label.

Around the House

Investigate all doors and windows for leaks and drafts, particularly near the corners. Look for peeling and chipping paint, which can signal water intrusion. Seal any open areas between the frame and the wall to keep out water, which can deteriorate building materials.

Around the House

Remove all faucet handles and clean their insides to keep the screws from corroding. Use a rust remover if necessary.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

In the Kitchen

To clean chrome, glass, or stainless steel appliances, fill a spray bottle with a mixture of 50 percent rubbing alcohol and 50 percent water. Use a dry cloth to polish and clean the surfaces to remove water spots and fingerprints.

From: Tracy Lynn Studio

In the Kitchen

The best refrigerator cleaner is a combination of salt and soda water. The bubbling action of the soda water combines with the abrasive texture of the salt to make a great cleaner. Make this chore easier on yourself by tackling it one shelf at a time - every time you go to the store, make it a goal to clean a single shelf before you pile in new groceries.

In the Kitchen

Organize the refrigerator once it has been cleaned. Keep highly perishable food front and center, and sort the longer-lasting ingredients and toppings by category.

WATCH: How to Organize the Fridge

In the Kitchen

If there's lime buildup around the faucet, lay paper towels over the fixture and soak it with vinegar, letting it set for one hour. The deposits will soften and become easier to remove.

In the Kitchen

Clean the cooktop to remove grease splatters and crumbs. Remove and submerge the grates (if it's a gas appliance) in a grease-cutting detergent solution, then use an abrasive pad to scrub build-up. Use a damp paper towel to lift loose debris from the cooktop, and a toothbrush to remove softened food from around the burners, knobs, and dials. Use a soapy cloth to clean any tough spots that remain.

WATCH: How to Clean a Glass Stovetop

From: Sam Henderson

In the Kitchen

Let the self-cleaning feature of your oven do the heavy work for you. Before initiating the clean cycle, use a damp sponge to remove any splatters or dried excess from the bottom of the oven to prevent smoking.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

In the Kitchen

Make the most of your pantry space by incorporating shelving organizers. Sort newer products to the back, and pull older items to the front. Check expiration dates, and make it a point to consume the items that are predicted to go bad within the next few months.

In the Bathroom

Disinfect the surfaces in your bathroom including the sink, countertop and faucet hardware. Use this as an opportunity to declutter the surfaces, and reorganize drawer space to accommodate your everyday items.

From: Natalie Myers

In the Bathroom

Maintain the tile surfaces in your bathroom - especially in the shower - by spraying the surface with a generous dose of cleaner. Allow it to stand while you clean the rest of the room, and then go back and start scrubbing. If the grout is dirty with mold or mildew, make a paste of washing soda and peroxide to deep clean and disinfect.

From: Stefani Stein

In the Bathroom

Mineral deposits in water can affect the showerhead and even shorten its life. Keep the jets in the nozzle clear and clean by misting the showerhead with a mixture of 50 percent white vinegar and 50 percent water. Allow it to sit and drip for a few minutes and then wipe it clean with a dry cloth.

From: Emily Fazio

In the Bathroom

Clean your bathroom fans once a year. Take the cover off, wash it in soapy water and clean dirt off the fan blades with a toothbrush. Be sure the power is off when you do this!

In the Bedroom

Launder your home's bedding and pillows during the change in seasons to refresh the fibers and sanitize your space. (We really think you'll sleep better at night!)

WATCH: How to Make a Bed Like a Hotel

From: Sarah Wittenbraker

In the Bedroom

Sometimes comforters, blankets, and pillows don't need to be cleaned, but they do need to be aired out after a long winter in your closed-up home. Take them outside and hang them on a clothesline for a day. Do the same with any spring blankets that were in storage before putting them on the bed. Don't have a yard or deck? Hang them in front of an open window to catch the breeze.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

In the Bedroom

We spend a lot of time in our beds, 3,000 hours a year actually - that’s the equivalent of four months! Keeping the mattress super clean, and rotating it a few times a year is important. To clean the mattress, vacuum the surface. Then, sprinkle on a mixture of baking soda and a few drops of essential oil (lavender promotes relaxation.) Let this sit for a couple of hours, then, vacuum the baking soda mixture away.

WATCH: Learn How to Clean a Mattress to Remove Stains and Odors

In the Bedroom

Rotate your wardrobe in your closet and drawers. Swap cold-weather clothing for warm-weather options. Be sure to wash or dry-clean winter clothing before packing anything away for the season.

From: Emily Fazio

In the Home Office

Spend a day getting your files organized and your space decluttered - it'll help your business now, and in the future. Get important papers in order, and take the time to back up files on external or cloud devices so that they're secured. Lots of paper to discard? Remember to use your shredder to protect private information.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Outside the House

Haul out a ladder or a telescoping cleaning brush, and refresh your home's windows with a rag and soapy water. Dry them with another rag, or with a squeegee for a squeaky clean finish.

WATCH: How to Clean Windows

From: Landwell Design + Build Co.

Outside the House

Sweep your porch and deck, as well as around doors and windows to get rid of cobwebs and debris. If you have a leaf blower, that'll certainly help speed up your cleaning routine, blasting leaves, pollen and dust far away from your outdoor living space and walkways.

Outside the House

Clean out the gutters of winter debris and check them for damage from ice. Install gutter screens or protectors to help keep debris out of the gutters.

Outside the House

Cleaning your outdoor furniture is relatively simple, but easily forgotten. While rain showers wash away some dirt and pollen, a thorough wipe down with a mild detergent goes a long way to keep outdoor furniture looking its best now and for years to come. Be sure to check your furniture's manufacturer's guidelines, if a special care routine is required.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

32 Must-Do Spring Cleaning Tasks

Related To:

Shop This Look

Around the House

Around the House

Around the House

Around the House

Around the House

Around the House

Around the House

Around the House

Around the House

Around the House

Around the House

Around the House

In the Kitchen

In the Kitchen

In the Kitchen

In the Kitchen

In the Kitchen

In the Kitchen

In the Kitchen

In the Bathroom

In the Bathroom

In the Bathroom

In the Bathroom

In the Bedroom

In the Bedroom

In the Bedroom

In the Bedroom

In the Home Office

Outside the House

Outside the House

Outside the House

Outside the House

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