How to
Keep the Spring in Your Spring‐Cleaning

written by matthew brady

Have you ever been enthusiastic about your spring‐cleaning, only to have the excitement quickly disappear because the work seemed to last forever? Many people get frustrated and give up—but that doesn't have to happen.

Most experts agree that the key to successful spring‐cleaning is having a plan. Too often, we allow ourselves to have a mind‐set that says it all has to be done at once, which can lead to frazzled nerves and haphazard cleaning.

Going the methodical route actually works much better. Clean each area of the house in an order and at a pace that works for you. And follow these spring‐cleaning tips—including often overlooked places—to have a more enjoyable, more efficient spring clean.

Download Download your own household cleaning schedule to stay stress‐free while staying on top of your clean house!

Whole-house tips

Fans & Fixtures

At times overlooked, ceiling fans and hanging light fixtures should be the first thing you give a thorough dusting to in each room. This is primarily because they gather the most dust, which can easily get distributed to things below.

Walls

Remove and clean curtains. While they’re off, in each room, give the walls a good dusting, focusing on corners, baseboards, and trim, where dirt tends to accumulate the most. And don't forget any intake grates: turn off the A/C, remove the grates, wash them with warm water, and dry; use a cotton swab or a small brush to clean between each grate.

Windows

Make sure that the windows are wiped down well, and pay particular attention to windowsills, where mold tends to form because of cold outside air meeting warm indoor air during winter.

Room-specific tips

Bathrooms

Clean everything—the toilet, the shower, the vanity, etc.—inside and out before focusing on the floors. If you're doing this all at once, be careful to not mix your cleaners. Even if only the fumes combine, it could pose a potential health hazard.

Bedrooms

In each room, tackle the most time-consuming task: the bed. Take the mattress and box spring off so you can clean the entire frame and headboard and vacuum under the bed, and then rotate the mattress when you put it back on. Clean the furniture and the closet (organizing the clothes in each while you’re at it) before vacuuming.

Kitchen

Focus on appliances and surfaces, taking advantage of open windows to clean the oven and wipe down the inside of the fridge. Also make sure to clean and declutter the kitchen cabinets, pantries, and drawers before mopping the floor. You also might consider taking the trashcan outside to give it a through washing.

Living Room

Start with the furniture first, dusting every wood surface and taking a handheld vacuum to every surface and cavity of couches and chairs. Then give the floor a good cleaning or vacuuming (which means moving furniture around instead of working around it). If you have a fireplace, give it a good clean, and consider scheduling to have a chimney sweep clear out the flue.

Laundry Room

Laundry rooms usually have little or no ventilation, so wipe down the washer and dryer carefully. Empty lint traps, and have a professional clean out the ductwork, where lint accumulates and can create a fire hazard.