Spring Cleaning Checklist {& Printable}

It seems like it took forever… but spring is finally here to stay! And that means we can roll up our sleeves and get busy spring cleaning!

Here’s my #1 Spring cleaning tip:

Just kidding…

Even though I laughed reading that, I will just put this out there right away… I am one of those people who truly enjoy deep cleaning. No, it is not a genetic defect nor is it contagious. I’ve been asked if either of them is true my whole life. I don’t enjoy cleaning just to clean. I enjoy it because it makes me feel accomplished and renewed.

I am one of those weirdos that love post-its and to-do lists, so naturally when all is said and done and I’m enjoying an iced tea on my freshly cleaned porch, I feel accomplished. And stress-free. I clean to relieve my out-of-control anxiety… but I’ll save that explanation for a later post.

I’m sharing with you, my not-so-secret-because-everybody-does-this cleaning & chore list. Some things are obvious spring cleaning items, but others like cleaning the filter on your washing machine may give you an “aha!” moment. And if it doesn’t, let’s just pretend it does. Either way, I hope this list sparks some motivation and ends with renewal in your mind.

One thing I will definitely recommend is turning on your favorite Pandora radio station! Nothing motivates like some good jams and hearing your out-of-tune wife make it rain to Mariah Carey. If you’re my neighbor, I apologize now. For real.

As for that cleaning supply cabinet, Neil and I make several of our cleaners at home for pennies. You can read about that in this post.

Pre-cleaning prep:

Make sure you stock up on your cleaning supplies. For me, that means making extra cleaners ahead of time. If you prefer to purchase yours, I would recommend buying eco-friendly, non-toxic versions like Seventh Generation brand.
Stock up on buckets, trash bags, rags, and any scrub brushes you may need. You likely already have all of these, but make sure they are clean and ready for use.
Make a plan of attack. Usually, I put dinner in the crock pot and serve a hearty breakfast on these cleaning weekends. Having a clear plan of what gets done on what day and by who is key to knocking that list out. Also, serve good food and the help will stick around. No joke!
Reward yourself. Neil and I usually make it a goal to knock out our spring cleaning list in one weekend. If we do, we treat ourselves. It can be anything from an ice cream sundae to a nice dinner out. You work hard, so reward yourself!

And of course, because my brain gets all jazzed (picture me doing jazz hands) about to-do lists… I made a printable one-page Spring cleaning checklist to share. Just click on the image below and when it opens in another screen, just right-click and save to your desktop.

INDOOR CHECKLIST

Kitchen

Floors & rugs: sweep/mop/machine wash (if needed)
Fridge, pantry & freezer:remove everything, wipe down and restock/organize
De-clutter counter tops and cupboards
Wipe down cupboards and knobs
Window treatments and blinds: dust/wash
Wash windows
Clean interior doors, walls, and baseboards
Run a clean cycle on your dishwasher
Deep clean microwave
Clean inside of oven, top of stove & stove vents
Scrub backsplash
Wipe down all appliances
Dust light fixtures (change bulbs if needed)
Pull refrigerator out and vacuum coils/floor area
Deep clean coffee pot/tea pot
Wipe down table (underneath too) and chairs
Deep clean kitchen sink and faucet area

Entryway

Sweep/mop floor and wash any rugs
Dust ceilings, vents, trim, light fixtures, wall decor
Wipe down walls, front door, closet door, bench, light switches, etc
Dust/clean baseboards
Clean coat closet, organize shoes (rotate seasonal coats)

Living Room

rugs, floors: sweep/mop/machine wash (shampoo if needed)
Dust picture frames, book shelves, knick-knacks and clocks
Dust electronics, check cords & electrical strips
Dust light fixtures & lamps (change bulbs if needed)
Organize DVD’s, video games and other media
Clean and polish all furniture
Wash throw blankets, pillows
Vacuum out furniture cushions, under furniture and scrub any stains
Wash windows
Wipe down walls, baseboards, vents, light switches
Dust ceilings, vents, trim, light fixtures, wall decor
Dust lamp shades
Clean & organize any magazine racks/end tables/clutter

Bedrooms

Mattresses and cushions: clean, rotate and flip
Windows, window treatments and blinds: clean/wash/dust
Clean interior doors, walls, and baseboards
Toys: organize & make donation pile
Organize clothing (closets & drawers) – Rotate seasonal attire (label and store)
Dust picture frames, book shelves/cases, knick-knacks
Dust ceiling fans/regular fans
Dust light fixtures & lamps (change bulbs if needed)
Wash bedding
Wipe down walls, trim, baseboards, light switches
Dust ceilings, vents, trim, light fixtures, wall decor
Vacuum and clean floors (shampoo if needed)

Bathrooms

Wipe down counters, sinks, cabinets and mirrors
Dust light fixtures & lamps(change bulbs if needed)
Sweep/mop floors & rugs
Wash shower curtain, replace liner (if needed)
Scrub shower, tub and toilets
Dust ceilings, vents, trim, light fixtures, wall decor
Organize drawers, cabinets, linen closet
Clean your makeup brushes, replace old toothbrushes and loofahs

Pets

Clean & disinfect pet feeding and water dishes (& toys)
Wash animal bedding
Clean and sanitize cat litter box
Give pets a bath
Give pets flea/heartworm medication (as needed)

Laundry Room

Run clean cycle on washing machine (clean out any filters on washer)
Clean out vent for dryer and remove any lint
Sweep & mop floor
Wipe down walls, baseboards, light fixtures and switches

Home Office

File papers, clean computer & printer area, organize stationary and office supplies
Organize photos on computer in folders.
Back up any files/data
Dust/wipe down desk area
Go through mail/papers and file important documents

General/Safety

Replace filters on furnace
Check batteries in smoke detectors & CO2 sensors
Cleaning tools: clean any tools (vacuum) and brushes that are past their prime. Remove any clogged hair, etc. Also
Clean out purse, wallet and cell phone cases
Clean out all air vents
Make sure your emergency kit is prepared and up to date (you just never know!) with: flash lights with extra batteries, candles, lantern, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, etc.

OUTDOOR CHECKLIST