Updated March 1, 2021 . AmFam Team
Any way you view it, spring cleaning your home is the best way to give it new life after a long winter. And what’s better than tackling it all in one weekend with our spring house cleaning tips? Study this handy spring cleaning checklist, throw some old clothes on, turn up the music and prepare to get dirty! We promise it’ll be worth it.
Spring Clean-up Ideas for Your Bedroom
Spring Cleaning Hints for Your Living Room
Spring Cleaning Ideas for the Bathroom
A Spring Cleaning Plan for the Rest of the House
Clean Up Your Coverage With an Insurance Review
Your bedroom is where you start and end your day. And it’s usually the place you’re most comfortable! So the dirt, dust and clutter can add up faster than you might realize. Dive deep into this spring cleaning list and tips to help spruce up your bedroom in no time:
Start by stripping the sheets and mattress cover (throw them in the wash while you’re at it), then vacuum the mattress. Deodorize your mattress by sprinkling with baking soda and gently rubbing it in with a scrub brush (no water). Let it sit for 10 minutes then vacuum again.
Most curtains can be washed in your standard washing machine. For your curtains, use a gentle cycle with cool water and let them hang dry.
Take all of your belongings out of your closet and/or dresser and sort them into “keep,” “donate,” and “trash” piles. Wipe out all drawers, clean closet shelves and doors, and remember to vacuum the closet floor. Then return what you've decided to keep.
When you’re busy living life, things can get messy. Take these spring cleaning hints to heart — to give your living spaces the refresh they deserve:
Take your couch cushions and pillows outside and hit them with a clean broom, then vacuum the built-up crumbs and pet hair. Next, do a once-over with the vacuum after it’s reassembled.
Using a microfiber cloth and electronics-safe cleaner, dust off your TV, gaming system, stereo and computer. Be sure to dust beneath, behind them and along the cords.
Commonly missed in your regular cleaning, light fixtures build up dust and grime, too. So take time to dust off lightbulbs, their fixtures and any lamp shades. And remember to wipe down ceiling fan blades with warm soapy water.
Shake your area rugs off outside then vacuum them on both sides, flipping them over to get rid of hidden dirt.
Just like you did in the bedroom, take a look at all your belongings and sort them into those piles. Wipe them down too before you put the keepers back into place.
It’s no secret — the bathroom is the dirtiest room in your house. And even though you do your best to keep it clean throughout the year, now’s the time to tackle some hidden grime. Let these spring cleaning ideas shine:
Spray each surface with a strong soap scum remover and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Then, using a cloth, a scrub brush and old toothbrush, really get into all those nooks-and-crannies.
Remove everything from medicine cabinets or drawers and toss what you don’t need. Vacuum and then wipe down drawers and shelves as well. Dispose of expired medications properly by finding a drug take-back location near you.
Think doors, door handles, window sills, baseboards, towel racks, mirrors, etc. Now’s a great time to freshen it all up by using hot, soapy water and a cloth.
Along with wiping down the counter tops and scrubbing down the sink, take these steps to clean the dirt and grime — to keep your appliances running great:
Your oven, stove top and range can get really greasy. Set the oven self-clean, remove burners and drip pans and get to scrubbing! Be sure to wipe out the oven after the clean cycle is over.
Remove all food, and get in the crevices with hot, soapy water. Then wipe down the outside! Before you restock, be sure to dispose of expired food. If you’re thinking about going green, be sure to compost what you can.
Clean off the racks, wheels and spinning arm with hot, soapy water. Remember to clean out the trap inside. Then run the clean cycle, or place a cup of vinegar on the top rack and run a normal cycle, no soap.
Take out the trash, then bring the bin outside. Fill it with hot, soapy water and let it soak for 20-30 minutes, then scrub it down. Leave it to dry in the fresh spring air before you bring it back in!
For wood cutting boards, wash gently with hot, soapy water. Then, let dry and rub down with white vinegar. For plastic cutting boards, soak in hot, soapy water for 20-30 minutes, let dry and rub down with white vinegar.
Take time now to reorganize Tupperware, getting rid of any pieces that don’t have a matching lid. Then, take all food out of your pantry/cupboards, wipe down shelves, and return food in an organized way, making sure to dispose of anything that’s expired.
In addition to these room-by-room tasks, there are some deep cleaning jobs that apply to the whole house. To get the most of a spring cleaning plan that sparkles, make sure to take on these additional steps, too:
Using hot, soapy water, go around your home and wipe down all the trim and baseboards that you often don’t pay much attention to.
Run the vacuum over all carpet, and use its hose to get hard-to-reach dirt and dust along the bottom of baseboards and in corners. Then mop your hard surfaces — and use a towel to get into crevices your mop can’t reach!
Using glass cleaner, wipe down all the windows in your home — inside and out! And, pull in some fresh air by leaving them open as you go!
Using a long-handled duster or the hose of your vacuum, look up and take care of the dust and cobwebs.
If your washer has a sanitize mode, see your user guide to get that rolling. If not, run an empty load and set the water temp to high. Then, add chlorine bleach, run through a full cycle and scrub down the interior after. Be sure to run a hot rinse cycle for a super clean product afterwards.
Wipe down the inside of your dryer, then use the vacuum hose around the lint collector and run an empty sanitize cycle if possible. Detach the dryer vent hose and clean or replace it if possible.
After looking around at your clean home, it may be that things have changed. New furniture purchases, expensive gifts — maybe even a new car — all that can shift your insurance needs.
Be sure to reach out to your agent today (Opens in a new tab) and request an insurance review to better understand your coverage gaps. You may even find you qualify for additional discounts that really can save you money on your insurance premiums.