Blog > 30 Easy Spring Cleaning Tips
Nothing feels quite as satisfying as coming home to a house that's so clean it practically sparkles. Since cleaning your house from top to bottom can be overwhelming — not to mention, tiring and time-consuming — it's easier to take it room by room or appliance by appliance with spring cleaning tips from organizing and cleaning pros.
Consider this your official spring cleaning checklist: Pass through item-by-item for a whole home makeover or tackle your home's dirtiest spots when you have some extra time on your hands. While there are some givens on this list (how to clean your microwave or mattress, for example), there are also a few spots that often go unnoticed, like doormats and ceiling fans.
But before you even get to work, make sure you have all the best cleaning products to remove stains, vacuum dirt, shine floors and more. The end result: a more livable space just in time for summer.
1. Clean your doormats
Trap more dirt by using two mats, one outside the door and one inside. To refresh, hose off and air-dry outdoor mats. Vacuum indoor ones on both sides — going over the back will push trapped dirt out onto the floor where it will be easier to pick up.
2. Spray down windows and dust blinds
Wait for an overcast day to clean your windows and start on the shady side of the house (direct sun can lead to streaking). Raise blinds or shades and wash windows with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Then lower the blinds and vinyl shades and dust with a duster and finish by vacuuming the fabric shades and drapes.
3. Wipe down walls
Keeping your walls free of greasy fingerprints, dust, and stains is as easy as wiping them with a damp microfiber cloth. Be sure to start from top to bottom, and bonus points if you wipe the door frames and baseboards too!
4. De-stink the kitchen sink
Got kitchen stink you just can't kick? Try running a couple of lemon rind slivers through your garbage disposal and follow with cold water to get rid of any unwanted odors.
5. Steam clean the microwave
Clean up those pesky tomato stains once and for all. To clean your microwave, fill a large microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water and a chopped-up lemon, lime, or orange or several tablespoons of vinegar and stick it inside. Turn the appliance on high for several minutes or until the solution boils and the window is steamy, then let it cool for five minutes before opening the door. Remove and wipe the inside and outside with a sponge.
6. Wash those reusable bags
Reusable grocery bags cut down on wasteful plastic, but they can get grimy with time. Look at the care label on your reusable bags to determine the best way to clean them. If they're not machine-wash safe, clean them thoroughly with a sponge or cloth dipped in sudsy water. Rinse with a clean cloth and let air dry.
7. Bring stained cutting boards back to life
If you think that nasty mark is permanent, you're wrong. Run the cut side of a lemon over the board to help remove food stains and smells. For an extra oomph, sprinkle it with salt or baking soda first.
8. Deep clean the fridge
In addition to wiping down your fridge's interior shelving on a regular basis, give the removable bins and shelves a deep clean every now and again. Pop out the door shelves and bins, and wash in warm, soapy water to get rid of food bacteria and spillage.
9. Shine up pots and pans
Soften burned-on residue by adding water and dish liquid to your cookware and letting it simmer on the stove. Use a scrub sponge or pad to remove any remaining stuck-on bits.
10. De-gunk your oven
Cleaning your oven is an essential part of spring cleaning. Use your appliance's self-cleaning function to remove stubborn, baked-on grime. If your oven doesn't have one, place a hot, wet cloth on top of burned spots to help soften the gunk. Then scrub with a sprinkle of baking powder and a heavy duty pad. Rinse and wipe dry.
11. Scrub down kitchen cabinets
Unsightly kitchen grime is a mix of dust and grease that builds up over time. Run the exhaust hood over your range every time you cook to keep grease from settling. To de-gunk, use a cabinet cleaner to cut through dirt and leave wood moisturized. Do an extra pass around any places that grease collects, like door and drawer pulls.
12. Machine wash your shower curtain
Stick plastic or vinyl shower curtains along with a few bath towels in your washing machine on the gentle cycle with your favorite laundry detergent. Let it hang dry before showering. To keep the curtain cleaner longer, spritz it a few times each month with a bleach-containing all-purpose cleaner. Then just let the shower rinse it off (before you hop in, of course).
13. Toss expired cosmetics
Getting rid of expired makeup, skincare and hair products is a quick way to declutter. Not all products note an expiration date, but many say how many months the product will last after opening. And dont forget to clean your makeup brushes!
14. Brighten up grout
White grout picks up, well, everything. To make grout sparkle again, spray it with a top-tested grout cleaner. Let it set for several minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush like the Casabella Smart Scrub Grout Brush and rinse.
15. Keep drains smelling fresh
To freshen drains (not unclog them) and help keep them free-flowing, mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup table salt. Pour the mixture down the drain, followed by 1 cup heated vinegar. It will foam and bubble. Let it stand for 15 minutes tops. Follow by running hot tap water for at least 15 to 30 seconds. This is especially helpful for seldom-used drains, like in guest bathrooms.
16. Remove hard water buildup from your shower head
Hard water buildup can cause unsightly stains and even affect your shower head’s water flow. If scrubbing with a sponge doesn’t clear the debris from the holes, you can clean your shower head and restore its flow using a few kitchen products you already have in your home. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a plastic bag and tie the bag around the shower head, making sure to immerse the shower head entirely in the mixture. Tie the bag around the shaft for up to an hour, then wipe away any residue left behind and run the hot water of the shower to rinse the vinegar out of your shower.
17. Spruce up curtains and throw pillows in the dryer
Put your dryer to work and toss drapes, curtains and even throw pillows in the dryer for 15 minutes on the "air-only" cycle, then rehang immediately to avoid wrinkles.
18. Dust those ceiling fixtures
Spring cleaning is all about tackling the areas you forget about during the rest of the year. Grab an extendable duster and attack ceiling fans, hanging and recessed lights, moldings and more. Make sure to start your cleaning here, from top to bottom, so you don’t have to vacuum your floors twice.
19. Replace air conditioner filters
Spring is the perfect time to clean or replace HVAC and window air conditioner filters before you start to use them regularly in the summer months. It’s best to check with your unit’s manufacturer for the recommended way to clean filters, if they are washable.
20. Sanitize kids' toys
When it comes to cleaning kids' toys, don't overlook the convenience of your dishwasher or washing machine! For plastic toys, choose the crystal or quick cycle on your dishwasher and skip the heated dry. For stuffed animals, check the care tag first and then stick them in a mesh bag or pillowcase before throwing in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. A quick once-over with a lint roller can help too.