The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist for 2023

Spring is here! With the warmer temps and longer daylight, it’s time to enjoy more time outdoors doing things you love.

Before diving into warm-weather fun, take some time to get your house clean and shiny. Here’s a complete checklist to keep you on track.

Inside Your Home

Tackle your house’s interior first, moving from room to room, top to bottom.

  • Clean out closets
    It’s time to rid your home of the clutter that’s accumulated since your last cleanout. Get some large garbage bags and start tossing in clothes, shoes, household items, and accessories that are torn up, no longer fit or are out of style. Make “donate” and “trash” piles.
  • Dust ceilings and fans
    Using an attachment to help you reach, clean the ceilings in every room and hallway. Dust ceiling fans and, if you had changed their direction to push heat down, change them again to help cool your home during the upcoming warm months.
  • Shine up overhead lighting
    Take your overhead lights apart and dust inside and outside the covers. Replace any burned out bulbs while you’re at it.
  • Wash windows and curtains
    Take down the window treatments and launder them according to their instructions. Wipe down the hardware and tops of the windows while they’re washing. Use a vinegar/water mixture and soft cloth to scrub the debris off your windows.
  • Clean door frames and tracks
    Use a household cleaning spray, cloth, and small brush to clean out the dirt that’s accumulated in the door frames and tracks. Doing this will help them close easier and look fresh.
  • Launder bedding
    Strip every bed and wash the comforters, pillow shams, bedskirts, and anything else that doesn’t get washed regularly.
  • Clean under the beds
    While the bedding is being washed, dig out everything that has been pushed under the bed. Either trash it or put it back where it belongs.
  • Deep-clean floors, carpets and rugs
    Scrub the hardwoods and tile with cleaner made for them. Thoroughly vacuum the carpet and rugs, and either rent a shampoo machine or hire a company to professionally clean them.
  • Dust and wash baseboards and crown molding
    Dust off your baseboards and follow up with some soapy warm water and a soft cloth to make sure they’re spotless. Do the same to your crown molding and (if you have it) breadboard or paneling. Use a sturdy stepstool or ladder to ensure your safety.
  • Sweep and mop under furniture and appliances
    Don’t feel bad. Nobody moves their furniture every time they clean. Taking a room at a time, move every piece of large furniture and sweep or mop under them. If there’s greasy buildup, common under appliances, you may need to spray it and let it set for several minutes.
  • Clean furniture
    Use a vacuum cleaner attachment to clean your furniture’s nooks and crannies, then follow it with an upholstery cleaner. Toss any afghans and washable throw pills (consult the care tags) into the wash to freshen them, too.
  • Scrub appliances
    Buy some cleaner made for appliances and tackle them. Clean out the refrigerate and freezer (now is a great time to get it more organized), turn the oven on to self-clean, and wipe out the microwave and dishwasher. Finish up by shining the appliances so they sparkle.

Outside Your Home

Once your interior is refreshed, move your efforts outside and address the dirt, leaves and debris that’s built up during the winter.

  • Replace light bulbs
    Add energy efficient bulbs to your outside lighting, and consider adding solar-powered stakes to your walkways if you haven’t already. These are great for avoiding tripping hazards.
  • Sweep up debris
    Get rid of leaves and debris from your driveway, walkways, porch and exterior rugs.
  • Wash exterior windows
    Sweep off any spider webs and leaves that have stuck on your windows during the window. Using a water hose attachment, wash your windows thoroughly.
  • Pressure wash steps, porches, and decks
    Rent a pressure washer if you don’t have one and use it to blast off the grime that regular cleaning won’t budge. Start at the front of your home and then move to the back to freshen up your outdoor living space.
  • Touch up paint
    If the cold winter weather has caused your paint to fade or peel, touch up the spots on your porch railing and trim. Paint is an instant refresher that makes a huge difference in your home’s curb appeal.

Set aside a day or two to put some elbow grease into getting your house into warm-weather shape and your home will be as fresh and inviting as a spring garden.