The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist

Why Use a Spring Cleaning Checklist?

There’s no reason to reinvent the wheel when you have seasoned pros to lean on. Molly Maid has created a comprehensive spring cleaning checklist that’s filled with proven cleaning tips that will make this annual chore a breeze. 

Following a spring cleaning checklist is an easy way to stay focused and organized. Prioritize high-traffic zones , like the kitchen, bathrooms, and entryways before you continue on to the rest of your home room by room. 

Ready to refresh every corner of your home without overlooking any detail? Let’s dive into each room and tackle the tasks that will leave your space looking spotless!

Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Guide

Molly Maid recommends starting with general tasks that apply to all rooms, such as dusting and vacuuming, before moving on to more specific tasks, like deep-cleaning appliances or washing windows. To make your life easier, Molly Maid has outlined a simple spring cleaning checklist to make sure every room in your home is ready for whatever the season has in store for you!

Spring Cleaning Supplies Checklist

Ready to tackle your spring cleaning? Make sure you’re prepared with all the right supplies to get your home sparkling clean with this list of essentials our Molly Maid® pros recommend:

• All-Purpose Cleaner: Great for tackling multiple surfaces like countertops, appliances, and more.
• Glass Cleaner: For streak-free windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces.
• Disinfecting Wipes: Quick and easy way to sanitize high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and remotes.
• Microfiber Cloths: Ideal for dusting and polishing without scratching surfaces.
• Broom and Dustpan: Perfect for sweeping up dirt and debris on hard floors.
• Vacuum Cleaner: Make sure yours has attachments to clean upholstery, stairs, and extenders for those hard-to-reach corners.
• Mop and Bucket: Essential for thoroughly cleaning your floors.
• Toilet Brush and Cleaner: A must for scrubbing away stains and germs in the bathroom.
• Rubber Gloves: Protect your hands while using cleaning chemicals or scrubbing tough spots.
• Sponges and Scrubbers: Useful for tougher stains and grime, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.

With these supplies in hand, you'll be ready to tackle every nook and cranny in your entire home. And if you need a hand, Molly Maid is just a call away!

Whole-House Cleaning Tasks

A comprehensive spring cleaning checklist for your home starts with tasks that apply to all rooms. While you're moving through the house, removing allergens and built-up grime, note any needed repairs, and replace dirty air filters and burned-out lightbulbs. Remember to test and replace batteries in all your smoke detectors. It's also a good idea to declutter as you go and put everything back in its place.

Dusting and Cleaning Fixtures

Dust those hard-to-reach places with your microfiber cloth or use your vacuum to rid them of cobwebs and dirt that has piled on over the months. 

When cleaning fixtures, start at the top, gently wiping down the surface with a microfiber cloth, and work your way down.

Sliding Doors, Windows, and Treatments

Windows are the primary light source for our homes. If they are dirty, it affects the way we look at the entire space. To give glass a streak-free shine, gather a bucket, squeegee, microfiber cloth, and a stepladder if needed. Use the microfiber cloth to dust the window frames and the sill. Remember to clean the tracks of any sliding doors, too.

To tackle the glass, you can use a commercial glass sprayer or a DIY vinegar solution. Start at the top of the window and work your way down, wiping the solution from the glass. Use an “S” movement with the squeegee to remove any liquid.

For cleaning blinds, wipe each slat with a cloth or vacuum from the top to the bottom. If you have fabric blinds or curtains, you can vacuum them, too. If vacuuming doesn't cut it, follow the care instructions and check whether you can spot-clean them or have to send them to the dry cleaner.

Forgotten Surfaces and Switches

Spring cleaning is all about cleaning those areas in your home that don’t get cleaned frequently, like baseboards, molding, doorknobs, and even high-touch surfaces like light switches, door handles, and the often-forgotten TV remote. Using an all-purpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth, wipe away a year’s worth of set-in grime.

Floor Care

Deep cleaning your floors is a critical part of spring cleaning. Regardless of surface, start by vacuuming to take up any loose dirt. Any trapped dirt will turn into mud once it gets in contact with your floor cleaning solution, turning your hard mopping work into an exercise of smearing mud. Make sure you have a vacuum with different settings for carpeting, hardwood floors, or tile. Some vacuums have specific settings or attachments for different surfaces.

Vacuuming

Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet and let it sit for 30 minutes before you vacuum to maximize freshness. When you vacuum, use slow, overlapping strokes in multiple directions to remove dirt trapped in the fibers.

Mopping

Choose a mop and cleaning solution for your specific floor type. Hardwood floors require a gentle cleaner while stronger solutions tend to work better on tile. Mop in a figure-eight or in a back-and-forth motion to make sure you don’t miss any spots. Start mopping furthest away from the door and work your way out to avoid re-dirtying and slipping on wet floors.

Room-by-Room Guide

Having a room-by-room cleaning guide gives you a structured approach and breaks your big spring cleaning task into manageable steps. Follow the proven Molly Maid checklist to track your progress and get a sense of accomplishment as you knock out each item on the list and move from room to room.

As a general rule, it’s good to remember that multiple factors will affect how you move through the checklist for your home, including its condition and size. You may need to customize some items and cleaning tasks to meet your specific needs.

Kitchen

No spring cleaning checklist is complete without a top-to-bottom kitchen cleaning. Start by going through your pantry and fridge to throw out anything that’s expired. Work your way through your cabinets clockwise as you declutter and organize your kitchen.

• Empty the refrigerator and defrost the freezer.
• Clean refrigerator shelves (they may fit in the dishwasher!).
• Clean behind and beneath the refrigerator, including the coils.
• Clean your oven and scrub the stovetop and oven glass.
• Clear out cabinets and drawers, wipe down shelves, doors, and handles and pulls.
• Disinfecting countertops.
• Shake out your toaster, wipe down your microwave, coffeemaker, and other small appliances.
• Sanitize the sink and clean the inner rim of your sink guard.

Finish up by taking out the trash, sweeping, and vacuuming. Give your kitchen floor a good mopping to remove the last of the dirt and germs.

Bathrooms

We know you'll shine the mirrors and make the faucets sparkle, but don't forget to dust up high in the corners and around light fixtures. Remember to add a few more bathroom chores to your spring cleaning schedule:

• Organize cabinets and drawers.
• Properly dispose of old medicine and toiletries.
• Scrub the shower and bathtub.
• Wash your shower curtain and floor mat.
• Scrub the toilet, including the tile and flooring around it.
• Clean the grout to restore it to its natural color.

When you're done, stock toilet paper, soap, and other necessities, then sweep the bathroom floor and give it a good mopping on your way out.

Bedrooms

Your bedroom should be a haven, but after months of being shut in, dirt, dust, and germs have settled in. Dust, vacuum, and sweep like you usually do, and add these cleaning chores to your checklist:

• Organize drawers and closets (donate items you haven't worn in a year).
• Wash bedding and pillowcases.
• Sanitize and rotate your mattresses.
• Disinfect kids' toys.

To keep your bedroom fresh longer, put on clean sheets each week and rotate your mattress about every three months instead of waiting until it’s time for spring cleaning.

Living Areas

The first task on your living room spring cleanup list should be taking down curtains or drapes and following the care instructions to clean them. If you have metal or vinyl blinds, remove them and clean them in your tub. For wooden blinds, use a spray-on furniture polish with lemon oil to restore their luster. Now that you have plenty of light, let's clean that living room.

• Begin your living room cleanup by decluttering—get rid of what you can and put everything else where it belongs.
• Remove the covers from pillows and furniture cushions and wash them with your throw blankets or take them outside and give them a good beating.
• Dust furniture, electronics, knickknacks, shelves, lamps, and other items.
• Wipe where the walls meet the ceiling, then work your way down to light fixtures, fans, window sills, and baseboards (use a dryer sheet to keep dust and pet hair off baseboards for weeks).
• Vacuum carpeting and the nooks and crannies of your upholstered furniture.
• Put back pillows, cushions, and throws where they belong, then open the windows and turn on the ceiling fan to air everything out.

Develop a schedule to clean one room per week to keep up with dust and grime.

When Life Gets Overwhelming, Let Molly Maid Handle Your Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to take up your time. With Molly Maid’s professional cleaning services, you can enjoy a sparkling home without the hassle. Our team of experienced professionals are ready to take on the toughest cleaning tasks so you can focus on the things you enjoy most.

Find Molly Maid Cleaning Services Near You

At Molly Maid, we stand by our commitment to exceptional service with our Neighborly Done Right Promise®. Whether you need regular maid services, occasional cleaning, or one-time special event cleaning assistance, Molly Maid offers free estimates on personalized cleaning services in your area. Simply reach out to your local team to schedule your service and enjoy a cleaner, fresher home this spring.

Printable Spring Cleaning Checklist

Remember that each home is unique. Specific factors will affect how you can apply the checklist to your home, including its condition and size. Feel free to customize cleaning tasks to meet your specific needs.

Start with general areas around your home that don’t usually get cleaning attention:

•  Go room to room organizing and decluttering.
•  Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures.
•  Clean all door knobs and light switches.
•  Wipe down baseboards and walls.
•  Clean the inside of the windows and window sills.

Kitchen

•  Organize the pantry and cabinets by discarding expired food and cleaning shelving.
•  Clean out the refrigerator by discarding expired food and wiping interior shelving.
•  Deep clean the oven and stove.
•  Clean small appliances like toasters, microwaves, and coffee machines.
•  Wipe down countertops and cabinets.

Living Room

•  Organize cabinets and bookshelves.
•  Clean and dust all electronics.
•  Dust and polish furniture.
•  Vacuum or wipe down all upholstery.
•  Clean curtains or wipe down blinds.

Bathroom

•  Organize toiletries in the cupboards.
•  Clean mirrors and glass surfaces.
•  Disinfect toilets, wipe down sinks and counters, and scrub the bathtub.
•  Wash shower curtains or remove water stains from glass shower doors.
•  Clean bath mats.
•  Replace or clean grout if needed.

Bedrooms

•  Change bedding and wash the mattress cover.
•  Rotate and flip the mattress.
•  Clean under the bed, dressers, and nightstands.
•  Dust all furniture and fixtures.
•  Organize closets and purge clothing you no longer wear.

Feel free to print this checklist and check off each task as you complete it.

Services may vary by location. For more information, including the most accurate list of services and guidance, contact your locally owned and operated Molly Maid for details and a customized on-site assessment.