Spring cleaning is easier with our checklist that covers your house from top to bottom.
Get an organized and spotless home with our guide.
Welcome warmer weather by giving your home a deep spring cleaning.
Credit: David Tsay
Our handy guide breaks down the must-do chores into a three-step system.
First, conquer the top spring cleaning checklist items, including once-a-year tasks ideally suited for the season.
Next, tackle exterior spring cleaning with tips onupdates and repairs for the outside of your home.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Finally, room-by-room cleaning tips will help you declutter and tidy specific areas.
Spring Cleaning Checklist
Spring is the perfect time todeep-clean your houseor embark on an apartment-cleaning marathon.
Work thesehousehold choresinto your cleaning schedule and get ready to enjoy warmer days with a space that sparkles.
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Before you tackle the project, use our checklist to get organized and plot out your work.
Wash Windows
Be sure to pick a cloudy day to wash your windows.
Water and a microfiber cloth will typically clean windows more effectively than chemicals.
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Finish with a wet sponge.
Overlooked Surfaces
Spring cleaning is an opportunity to address those surfaces you overlook during regular tidying.
Once a year, give your baseboards, door frames, other trim, andwalls a good thorough cleaning.
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Wash them with a sponge and a squirt ofdishwashing liquidmixed in a bucket of warm water.
Move kitchen appliances away from the wall as much as you might.
Freshen Furniture
Restore smooth leather with an upholstery cleaner and conditioner.
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Use a suede brush to perk up nubuck leather.
Refresh Window Treatments
Werner Straube
Curtains and draperies aren’t typically dirty enough to launder.
So, instead, go over them thoroughly during spring cleaning with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum.
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For springcleaning your ceiling fans, skip the ladder and use an extendable duster.
To clean grimy bulbs, lightly dampen a cloth with vinegar and wipe.
Tackle light fixtures before cleaning the rest of the room so any falling dust doesn’t disrupt already-clean surfaces.
Credit:Werner Straube
For safety reasons, be sure bulbs are cool to the touch and your hands are dry.
Get Organized
Pick up andeliminate clutterin each room prior to beginning spring cleaning.
Return the things you intend to keep to their correct places and rooms.
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Alwayslabel the binsand boxes so you’ll know where to find your winter gear next year.
Safety Inspection
Consider spring cleaning your prompt tocheck the batteriesin yoursmoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Perform all the required safety checks around your home.
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If you don’t own afire extinguisher, purchase one.
Learn how to use it, and keep it in the kitchen.
You may want to purchase another for your garage.
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Exterior Paint
While spring cleaning, consider freshening the face of your home with anew paint job.
Anupdated color schemecan take your house from forgettable to the best on the block.
The average exterior paint job lasts ten years, so verify it’s done right.
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Power Wash
Spruce up your home’s exterior surface bypower-washing the sidingand windows.
Cleaning these surfaces helps prevent thegrowth of mold and mildewthat feeds on grime.
Seasonal Change
Hit the garage to store or unpack seasonal items during yourspring cleaningprocess.
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Also, consider servicing your snowblower before storing it for spring.
Outdoor Furniture
Getready for summer entertainingbycleaning outdoor furniture.
Use outdoor spray enamel to touch up chips on painted outdoor furniture.
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Go through yourmedicine cabinetsand safely discard any outdated items.
Replace worn bath mats, shower curtains, and liners, or wash and dry shower curtains and liners.
Kitchen Cleaning
To spring-clean your kitchen, declutter your pantry, kitchen cabinets, and drawers.
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Wipe them out and install fresh shelf paper.
Store or donate equipment you don’t use, such as small appliances or cookware.
Discardstale spices or expired items.Clean the refrigeratorand freezer.
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Vacuum the cooling coils under or behind your refrigerator.
Spring Clean the Playroom
David A.
Make it part of your spring cleaning and enlist the kids to help.
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All the steps for cleaning any other room apply here.
Thenlaunder the stuffed animals, floor pillows, and blankets.
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Credit:David A. Land; Interior design: Alys Protzman
