Spring cleaning isn’t just about dusting off the shelves
It’s not about scrubbing one room and calling it done. Real spring cleaning means going deeper than you do in the rest of the year. You’re not just tidying-you’re resetting. The air feels different in March. Windows open, light floods in, and suddenly, clutter feels heavier than it should. That’s your signal. This is the time to clear out what’s been sitting too long, fix what’s broken, and make your home feel fresh again.
Start with a plan, not a panic
Jumping from room to room without a strategy leaves you tired and half-done. Instead, break your house into zones. Pick one area per day. Kitchen first? Then living room? Then bedrooms? Don’t try to do it all in a weekend. You’ll burn out. Most people who finish spring cleaning do it over three to four weekends. That’s enough. You don’t need to be a cleaning machine. You just need to be consistent.
Write down what needs doing in each zone. Not just ‘clean the kitchen’-but ‘wipe down backsplash, clean inside microwave, declutter spice rack, disinfect sink drain, check expiry dates in pantry.’ Specific tasks get done. Vague goals get ignored.
Declutter before you clean
You can’t clean what you haven’t sorted. That drawer full of random cables, the closet with five winter coats you haven’t worn in three years, the shelf with five mismatched mugs-those need to go before you wipe anything down.
Use the three-box method: keep, donate, trash. Be ruthless. If you haven’t used it in 12 months, you probably don’t need it. Clothes? If they don’t fit or you don’t love wearing them, let them go. Books? If you haven’t opened them since 2020, they’re taking up space that could hold something you actually use.
Don’t forget the basement, attic, and garage. These are the black holes of clutter. Pull out one box at a time. Ask: ‘Would I buy this again today?’ If the answer’s no, it’s trash or donation.
Deep clean the kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home-and it’s the dirtiest. Start with the fridge. Take everything out. Wipe down shelves with warm water and white vinegar. Toss anything with weird smells, dried-up sauces, or expired yogurt. Check the seals on the door-gunk builds up there and makes the fridge work harder.
Next, clean the oven. Baking soda and water paste works better than harsh chemicals. Sprinkle it on the bottom, spray with water, leave overnight, then scrub. For the microwave, heat a bowl of water with lemon slices for five minutes. The steam loosens gunk-you just wipe it away.
Don’t skip the dishwasher. Run an empty cycle with a cup of vinegar on the top rack. Clean the filter. Wipe the rubber seal. These small things keep your machine running longer.
Tackle the bathroom like a pro
Bathrooms grow mold in the corners you never see. Grab a toothbrush and scrub grout lines. Use bleach spray on tiles, let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub. For showerheads, soak them in vinegar for an hour to clear mineral buildup.
Empty out the medicine cabinet. Toss expired pills, dried-up lotions, and half-used products you forgot you had. Replace the shower curtain if it’s stained. Wash bath mats. Clean the trash can with disinfectant-yes, that one gets ignored.
Wipe down light switches, door handles, and towel racks. These are germ hotspots. Use disinfectant wipes. It takes two minutes. Do it.
Bedrooms and linens need a reset
Flip your mattress. Vacuum under the bed-yes, really. Dust bunnies aren’t harmless. They’re full of skin cells, dust mites, and pet hair. Wash all bedding in hot water. That includes pillowcases, duvet covers, and even the mattress protector.
Rotate your pillows. Swap the ones you use most with the ones you don’t. This evens out wear. If your pillow is flat, lumpy, or smells odd, replace it. Pillows should be changed every 1-2 years.
Go through your wardrobe. Hang clothes by season. Put winter stuff in vacuum-sealed bags and store them under the bed or in a closet. Pull out summer clothes. Fold neatly. Don’t just shove them in. You’ll thank yourself when it’s 25°C and you can’t find your favourite shorts.
Windows, floors, and air
Clean windows inside and out. Use a squeegee and vinegar solution. Wipe frames and tracks with an old toothbrush. Dirty tracks make windows stick and let in dust.
Wash floors properly. Vacuum first. Then mop with warm water and a drop of dish soap. Avoid over-wetting wood floors. Let them dry completely. For carpets, rent a steam cleaner. It pulls out dirt you didn’t know was there.
Change your air filters. If you have central heating or AC, check the filter. If it’s grey and clogged, replace it. It’s cheap. It makes your system run better. And your lungs will thank you.
Don’t forget the small stuff
These are the things nobody talks about but make a huge difference:
- Wipe down light switches and door handles with disinfectant
- Empty and clean out your vacuum cleaner bag or canister
- Wash your shower curtain and liner
- Check smoke detectors-replace batteries if needed
- Organize your junk drawer. Keep only what you use: tape, scissors, batteries, a notepad
- Wipe down remote controls and phone screens
- Wash your curtains or blinds
- Check for leaks under sinks
Finish with fresh air and a clean slate
Once everything’s done, open every window. Let the air rush through. Even if it’s chilly, leave them open for an hour. It clears out the stale smell of winter and cleans the air naturally.
Light a candle. Put out a bowl of lemons. Burn some incense. You don’t need to spend money-just make it feel good. You’ve worked hard. Your home deserves to feel peaceful.
Keep it going
Spring cleaning isn’t a one-time event. It’s a reset. To keep your home from turning messy again, build small habits:
- Do a 10-minute tidy every evening
- Wipe down surfaces daily
- Take out the trash every night
- Put things back where they belong
- Don’t let mail pile up
You don’t need to do a full spring clean every season. But if you keep these habits, you’ll never feel overwhelmed again.
How often should I do a spring cleaning?
Spring cleaning is meant to be done once a year, usually in March or April when the weather warms up. But if you’re consistent with weekly tidying, you won’t need to do a full deep clean every year. Some people do a lighter version in autumn too-especially if they live in a place with harsh winters.
Do I need special cleaning products for spring cleaning?
No. White vinegar, baking soda, dish soap, and water work for 90% of tasks. You don’t need expensive sprays or chemical cleaners. In fact, many commercial cleaners are harsher than they need to be. Stick to simple, safe ingredients. They’re cheaper, better for the environment, and just as effective.
What’s the most important room to clean during spring cleaning?
The kitchen. It’s where food is stored, meals are prepared, and germs spread. A clean kitchen means better health, fewer pests, and less stress. If you only clean one room thoroughly, make it the kitchen. Then move to the bathroom.
How long should spring cleaning take?
It depends on your home size and how messy it is. For a typical 3-bedroom house, expect 3-4 weekends of 2-3 hours each. If you’re short on time, focus on high-impact areas: kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and windows. You don’t need to do everything. Just do enough to feel the difference.
Should I clean outside during spring cleaning?
Yes. Clean your porch, patio, and balcony. Wipe down outdoor furniture. Sweep leaves from gutters. Wash the front door. Clean the garage or shed. Outside spaces get ignored all winter, and they’re the first thing guests see. A clean entrance makes your whole home feel more cared for.
What should I do with items I want to donate?
Don’t just pile them in a box and forget them. Take them to a local charity shop within a week. If you wait too long, you’ll talk yourself into keeping them. Set a date. Drop them off. Let go. That’s the whole point of spring cleaning-making space for what matters now.
Next steps: Make it a habit
After you finish, write down what worked and what didn’t. Did you skip the blinds because they were too hard? Next year, tackle them earlier. Did you run out of energy after the kitchen? Break it into two days next time. Spring cleaning isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.
When you walk through your home after it’s done, you’ll feel it. Lighter. Calmer. Quieter. That’s not magic. That’s the result of showing up, doing the work, and letting go of what no longer serves you.
