How to Get Started with Spring Cleaning Your Home

Getty Images

Spring is here! It is time to shake off those winter blues. Soon, the flowers will bloom, and the birds will chirp—if they haven't already. One of the best ways to embrace this transition is to do a little spring cleaning and start with a plan. Spring cleaning gives us a fresh slate as we prepare our homes for the busier spring and summer seasons. Whether this is a solo project or you plan to recruit family members, we have some tips for getting started. Here’s how to start spring cleaning and create a plan to rejuvenate your space:

How and Where to Start Spring Cleaning

To maximize efficiency, start with a clear, manageable plan. Make a list of all areas needing attention. This allows you to visualize tasks and track your progress. Using our checklist will ease your approach so every room gets the attention it deserves. This section covers how to prioritize and organize to stay on track.

This brings us to our next reason for creating a list—delegating tasks! Write team members’ names next to each task they are responsible for, giving everyone direction. When the task is complete, each person can cross it off the list (which can be a satisfying action itself).

One last thing – leave room for additions as things may pop up along the way.

Check Your Stock and Equipment

You have your plan of action, so what is next? Gather all the cleaning supplies needed to avoid interruptions mid-cleaning and restocking. Take this time to check your equipment, too—confirm you have filters and supplies for vacuums and steam mops. Then, make sure everything is in good working condition.

Delegate Duties

This is the point where personal preference comes into play. You can delegate specific tasks to rooms or both. Don’t be afraid to get the whole family involved! After all, they contribute to the mess, right? Everyone can start by de-cluttering and organizing items throughout the house, room by room. It’s also a good idea to designate a tote or box for items you want to eliminate or donate. This includes clothing, especially if transitioning from a winter to a summer wardrobe.

Young children can be excellent helpers when given age-appropriate tasks. Starting your child off young with cleaning chores will help them learn responsibility and good hygiene habits. Give your 5-year-old a dusting glove or two, play their favorite music, and watch them dust away!

Older children can help with dusting, wiping down kitchen counters, vacuuming, mopping the floors, or other complex tasks. Make spring cleaning a household endeavor and establish a household reward as an incentive to get the work done. Remember to introduce them to the list!

Implement Your Spring-Cleaning Plan

It's time to initiate your plan of action. You can either start with tasks (dusting, wiping down walls and baseboards, etc.) or choose to go room by room. We prefer the room-by-room option as it allows you to isolate areas for thorough cleaning and to focus on the details.

In addition to your donation tote, you will also want a tote for misplaced items (e.g., toys in the dining room, socks under the couch, etc.) and a tote for items that need to be stored (e.g., seasonal décor ).

After finishing each room, aim to find a home for tote items to prevent clutter from building up again.

Once you clear out the clutter, it’s time to start the cleaning process. First things first, start from top to bottom. Dust, clean ceiling fans, wipe down walls, and clean the windows. Remove and wash curtains and do not forget to clean the curtain rods, which are often neglected. Then, dust and clean the tallest furniture in the room working your way down to the baseboard and floors.

This is also a good time to identify minor nicks in the walls, ceilings, trim, and floors that need repair. Also, consider applying a fresh coat of paint.

Deep Cleaning for Lasting Results

Spring cleaning is an opportunity to refresh your space deeply. Start by tackling high-traffic areas and pay close attention to details often overlooked in regular cleaning routines. For instance, in kitchens, focus on visible surfaces and hard-to-reach areas like the tops of cabinets and appliances.

Removing accumulated grime can make a big impact. Similarly, living spaces benefit from attention to areas like baseboards and under furniture, where dust and allergens tend to settle.

Organizing your space as you clean can simplify maintenance in the months ahead. Establish a routine to categorize items into those you plan to keep, donate, or dispose of for a smooth decluttering process. Invest in storage solutions to help manage belongings and reduce visible clutter. Bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchens especially benefit from extra storage, whether through added shelving or bins that keep essentials accessible and organized.

The Ultimate Spring-Cleaning Checklist

The following is a checklist of things to think about in each room of your home that may need some deep cleaning.

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator

  • Kitchen Sink (including the area beneath)

  • Drains

  • Microwave

  • Countertops

  • Cutting Boards

  • Pots & Pans

  • Oven

  • Cabinets

  • Small Appliances

  • Pantry

Dining Room

  • Table/Chairs

  • Hutch/Curio Cabinet (including the area beneath)

Living Room

  • Furniture (including the area beneath)

  • Light Fixtures

  • Shelving Units (including the area beneath)

Bedrooms

  • Bedding/Mattress

  • Underneath Beds

  • Closets

  • Kids’ Toys

  • Clothes (cleaning and switching to warmer wear)

Bathroom

  • Toilet

  • Bathtub (Grout)

  • Drains

  • Shower Curtain

  • Medicine Cabinet

  • Sink (including the area beneath)

  • Storage Closet

All Rooms

  • Ceiling Fixtures

  • Windows

  • Curtains and Rods

  • Walls

  • Baseboards

  • Junk Drawers

  • Furniture

  • Wall Fixtures/Pictures

Outside

  • Doormats

  • Patio Furniture

  • Garage and Shed

Other Items to Consider

  • Vacuum

  • Broom

  • Reusable Grocery Bags

  • Make-up Cabinet

  • Washing/Drying Machine

  • Electronics

  • Purses

  • Shoes

  • Vehicles

Consider Cleantec’s services for a professional spring cleaning approach. We handle specialized or large-scale projects and can assist you with thorough, efficient cleaning support to achieve the fresh start you envision. For more cleaning tips, check out this blog post featuring advice from our professionals.

Cleantec aims to offer helpful information to our clients and friends. We currently serve all of New York, including the Syracuse, Ithaca, Manhattan, Rochester, Utica, and Buffalo regions. We also have operations in Palo Alto, CA; Denver, CO; Muscle Shoals, AL; Tampa, FL; and Sanford, NC. Give our sales professionals a call at (877) 469-0543 for a free consultation and quote regarding janitorial services. Learn how we can help your business achieve your cleaning needs.

Cleantec ensures all staff members are thoroughly vetted conducting background checks and drug testing. In addition to providing professional cleaning services, we are also a supplier of specialized cleaning products and green chemicals. Please call (315) 463-5353 to place an order.