The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist: 20 Easy Steps For A Clean Home
This blog posts presents to you the only spring cleaning checklist you need.
Save Spring cleaning usually starts with good intentions like opening the windows, putting on music and telling yourself you’ll just “tidy up a little.”
And then, somehow, you’re standing in the middle of the room wondering where to even begin.
This guide is here to make spring cleaning feel doable, not overwhelming.
Instead of random scrubbing, you’ll get a clear, step-by-step checklist that takes you through your entire home in a smart order.
I’ll show you how to clean your home from top to bottom, how to wash your windows and textiles and we’ll tackle the kitchen and bathroom. I’ll also show you how to organize your closet and even take care of digital and safety tasks.
Trust me, these 20 easy steps help you reset your home properly.
Are you ready for us to tidy up, declutter and make your home shine?
This site includes affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.
Spring Cleaning Checklist
Spring is the perfect excuse to hit reset. Not just for your home, but for your mind too.
I think proper spring cleaning means creating space, order and lightness after months of winter buildup.
In my opinion it’s best to think of it as a full refresh, from the top of your shelves to the bottom of your drawers, every corner gets its moment.
Here’s my practical 20-step spring cleaning checklist to help you get started. I’ll guide you room by room.
Vertical Cleaning
Vertical cleaning is where our spring refresh begins.
Trust me, it’s one of those simple tricks that completely changes how fresh your home feels.
By moving systematically from top to bottom, you prevent dust from resettling and make every room look cleaner with half the effort.
Clean door handles and light switches simply create a better and cleaner feeling.
1. Dusting From Top To Bottom
Save Let’s start by dusting your apartment.
I highly recommend dusting from top to bottom. Start with the items higher up in your apartment (e.g., wall shelves, tops of cabinets, etc.) and gradually work your way down.
This prevents dust from settling on surfaces you’ve already cleaned, which would otherwise mean double the work.
By the way, less dust in your apartment is better for air quality and your respiratory system (allergy sufferers will thank you!).
2. Wipe Down Baseboards
Save One thing that’s often overlooked is the baseboards. But dust and dirt accumulate there too.
I would always recommend cleaning the baseboards as part of your spring cleaning.
You’ll notice the difference it makes. Clean baseboards make the whole room look cleaner.
3. Disinfect Door Handles & Light Switches
Save I think everyone knows that feeling of disgust when touching doorknobs.
It’s relatively normal in shops and stores, but you shouldn’t feel that way at home.
That’s why I recommend disinfecting handles and doorknobs to rid them of germs. After all, these are objects that are touched frequently.
I find that clean handles and doorknobs simply contribute to a hygienic freshness in everyday life.
Windows & Textiles
We’ll continue with windows and textiles.
Washing curtains, refreshing upholstery and polishing windows instantly make your space feel lighter and more open (when you can actually see through clean windows, that’s always a nice feeling haha).
4. Cleaning Windows (Including Frames & Sills)
Save There’s nothing better than clean windows and a clear view.
In my opinion, more natural light also improves your mood.
Another plus: Clean windows let more light into your home, making rooms appear larger.
5. Washing Curtains – Spring Cleaning Checklist
Save Curtains need washing every now and then.
This removes dust, pollen and odors.
If you have white curtains, they’ll look sparkling white and fresh again after washing, which is great because it will enhance your springtime feeling.
Clean curtains also promote a healthy indoor climate.
6. Deep Cleaning Of Carpets & Upholstered Furniture
Save It’s important to clean your carpets occasionally to remove mites, dust and stains.
Clean carpets also improve air quality, similar to curtains.
For stubborn stains, I recommend a wet/dry vacuum cleaner with special cleaning solution. You can often rent these at drugstores or hardware stores.
7. Cleaning Fly Screens – Spring Cleaning Checklist
Save Have you ever cleaned and repaired your fly screens?
I think that’s a step many people overlook.
But intact, clean screens are absolutely essential for continuing to provide reliable protection against insects and ensuring a long lifespan for the screens.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of any spring cleaning routine and often the place that needs it most (let’s be honest).
It’s where everyday life leaves its quiet traces: Grease on the hood, crumbs in drawers, forgotten jars in the pantry.
A refresh here isn’t just about hygiene but about restoring function.
Related: Maximize Every Inch: 16 Kitchen Organization Ideas For Small Kitchens
8. Refrigerator Cleaning
Save Also super important: Deep clean your refrigerator.
This will remove bacteria and unpleasant odors.
Believe me, this step is absolutely essential. You won’t believe how much dirt accumulates in a refrigerator over time.
Did you know? Clean seals not only look appetizing, but they also reduce energy consumption!
My tip: Once your refrigerator is clean, reorganize it and rearrange your food in a more efficient way.
9. Degrease The Oven & Extractor Hood
Save Next, we’ll clean your oven of accumulated grease.
This not only prevents the risk of fire from grease residue, but it’s also really important for hygiene reasons.
Cleaning the oven is definitely not one of my favorite chores (thanks hubby for always doing it, haha), but it’s necessary to feel good about putting food in it.
10. Organizing The Pantry
Save A well-organized pantry is more important than you might think.
Having a good overview of your supplies helps prevent duplicate purchases.
Proper storage of cans, preserves and packaging is also crucial for extending the shelf life of food.
Ideally, your pantry should be dry, dark and cool (15-20 degrees Celsius).
Good air circulation and sufficient distance from the stove and radiator are also important.
Store everything in airtight glass or plastic containers and keep everything organized.
Labels will help you quickly find what you’re looking for.
11. Cleaning The Dishwasher
Save A thorough cleaning of your dishwasher removes limescale, grease and food residue.
I highly recommend doing this to improve washing results and hygiene.
It will also extend the lifespan of your dishwasher.
Related: 18 Best Small Kitchen Appliances You Absolutely Need
The Bathroom (Deep Clean)
The bathroom is one of the most-used spaces in your home. That’s why a deep clean is so important.
And by deep clean I mean something that goes beyond weekly cleaning of the toilet and sink.
Fresh grout lines, a descaled shower head and neatly organized products (you actually use) instantly shift the mood from “used” to clean and “spa-like”.
12. Refreshing Grout – Spring Cleaning Checklist
Save Clean grout makes tiled surfaces look brand new, believe me.
I highly recommend doing this regularly to prevent mold and discoloration.
In my opinion, it simply improves the overall aesthetics and appearance of bathrooms and kitchens because the tiled areas look much cleaner.
13. Descaling The Shower Head
Save To ensure a consistent water flow and better water pressure while showering, it’s recommended to descale your shower head.
This will help you save energy and water and prevent limescale buildup and blockages.
14. Cosmetics Check
Every now and then, it’s important to get rid of expired products to create more order.
What I particularly like about decluttering and tidying up is that it creates more space for my favorite products.
Honestly, who really needs that shower gel that’s been sitting unused in the cupboard for 15 months?
Bedroom & Closet
A thorough spring cleaning also includes changing out winter layers, caring for your mattress and organizing clothes.
I really like those steps because all of them bring a sense of lightness.
Cleaning your bedroom is about creating a space that supports rest, calm and an easy start into your day.
Related: 20 Small Bedroom Ideas With Storage & Decor To Maximize Every Inch
15. Mattress Care – Spring Cleaning Checklist
Save Thoroughly cleaning your mattress is one of those tasks that often gets forgotten.
However, this step is important for removing dust and mites from the mattress, which in turn contributes to a better night’s sleep.
A tip from me: Turn your mattress regularly to extend its lifespan.
Additional airing ensures freshness and hygiene.
16. Storing Winter Clothes
Save It’s time to make room in your wardrobe for lighter spring clothes!
Gather your heavy winter jackets, scarves, gloves and coats, put them in garment bags and store them in the basement, attic or another suitable place where they won’t get wet, dirty or be exposed to moths.
Making space in your wardrobe can also be mentally liberating, have you tried it?
17. Air Out The Bedding
Save To get rid of moisture and odors from your bedding, nothing works better than fresh air!
Hang your bedding over your patio railing, lay it on a drying rack and put it all outside or use your clothesline in the garden.
After your bedding has been outside for a few hours, it will smell fresh and believe me: You’ll never sleep so well!
Technology & Safety
Technology and safety are the often-overlooked parts of spring cleaning but they’re very important though!
Checking smoke detector batteries (please do this for your safety!), tidying up cables and decluttering your digital life bring order on another level into your life.
18. Cleaning Radiators
Save Radiators are another common dust trap.
That’s why dusting radiators and removing allergens is an essential part of any good spring cleaning.
This significantly improves the indoor climate!
19. Check The Batteries In Smoke Detectors
Save This is actually the most important item on your spring cleaning checklist because it increases safety in your home.
Check the batteries in every smoke detector in your house.
I think this should definitely be done regularly to prevent false alarms or malfunctions.
Plus, it gives you peace of mind and you’ll definitely sleep better at night.
20. Digital Cleaning
Save In my opinion, digital cleaning is an essential part of a thorough spring cleaning these days.
Because our world isn’t just analog, it’s also largely digital.
I love organizing my laptop and smartphone. It means my mind feels a bit clearer, too!
Move all your files to an external hard drive and delete the original files from your laptop and smartphone to save storage space.
Very important: Create structured folders on your external hard drive (e.g., sorted by year, month, and event) to quickly find what you’re looking for.
A Fresh Season, A Fresh Start: Your Home (& Mind) Will Thank You!
Spring cleaning creates space for new energy, light and calm in your home.
When the dust is gone and every corner feels fresh, your mind clears up too.
Take a moment and enjoy that feeling of a clean home that breathes again. You earned it!
You are on the hunt for more organization ideas or home decor inspiration?
Then you’ve come to the right place on my blog! Feel free to look around.
Did you enjoy this article?
If you’d like, treat me to a coffee ☕ Your support means the whole world to me!
