Simplifying my life changed my relationship with spring cleaning and makes me excited to share these spring cleaning ideas with you. Decluttering my stuff, shopping less, and moving into a smaller apartment has made cleaning so much easier. I don’t dread spring cleaning or doing my weekly chores anymore. That was an unexpected benefit of becoming a minimalist!
Plus, spring cleaning is a simple way to refresh and renew my living space. I’ve also discovered that my tidy apartment makes me happy.
Spring Cleaning Ideas (25 tips to make it fun and easy)
Before I start cleaning, I set the mood. I open the windows and turn on my favorite tunes. This makes cleaning more fun!
Bottom line: do whatever you need to do to make this process enjoyable.
Here are a few more ideas to pair with cleaning:
- Listen to podcasts or music
- Turn on a television show or film
- Recruit family and friends to help you clean
With that in mind, let’s talk about spring cleaning ideas and tips.
The list below is specific to my home and life experience, so keep that in mind as you are reading. Consider using my list as a starting point. Also, I’d encourage you to make a spring cleaning checklist that is specific to your home, time constraints, and how you like to clean.
For example, you can clean in short 10-minute bursts or set aside a full weekend to do a big deep clean. Remember, there isn’t a spring cleaning committee that will evaluate your progress. There isn’t one right way to clean. The most important thing is to make the process fun and enjoyable.
Let’s get started!
1.) Make a plan.
Before I start cleaning, I make a list of what needs to be cleaned in my home. Then, I decide which areas of my space to tackle first. Finally, I gather my cleaning tools – like baking soda, white vinegar, bleach, a spray bottle, a mop, sponges, microfiber cloths – and begin.
2.) Open your windows.
I love opening my windows to air out my home (even in the winter). However, springtime breezes are the best. In the spring, it isn’t too hot or cold. Plus, the fresh air energizes me.
3.) Clean the things that clean your stuff.
I’ve started to clean our appliances monthly. The items on my routine cleaning list include: our vacuum, garbage disposal, dishwasher, and laundry machine. Cleaning our appliances has made our house – and laundry – smell better. I use a product called Affresh®. Baking soda and bleach and water are great cleaning tools, too!
4.) Declutter as you clean.
Spring cleaning is an excellent opportunity to declutter. For instance, I pay attention to problem areas like our junk drawers, closets, and kitchen cabinets. As I clean, I keep a donation box or bag nearby. As I declutter, I put things I no longer need in the box. Then I take it to a thrift store.
5.) Do a closet clean out.
If you have a difficult time letting go of clothing, consider pairing spring cleaning with Project 333. The project is fun and will give you the tools to let go of clothes you don’t need. I also recommend reading – “The Practical Guide to a Closet Clean Out.”
6.) Replace air filters.
My husband and I live in an area that’s prone to wildfires, so replacing our air filters regularly is essential. We signed up for a subscription service, so every quarter new air filters arrive in our mailbox. This makes it easy for us to remember to replace our old filters with new ones.
7.) Clean your windows, blinds, and curtains.
Every year, our landowner hires window cleaners. They clean the exterior windows for all the units in our apartment complex. It’s a great benefit of renting. When the window cleaners arrive, I’m reminded to clean our interior windows, blinds, and curtains.
8.) Don’t forget the refrigerator and oven.
Clean the inside and exterior surfaces of your refrigerator and stove top. If you can, unplug and use the built-in wheels to move your refrigerator. For example, I often find cat toys and crumbs underneath our refrigerator.
Also, most ovens have a “self-cleaning” feature that will turn mystery stains into ash. After the self-clean is complete and the oven is cool, I sweep out the ash. If you have a microwave, wipe that down too.
9.) Install contact paper.
A few months ago, my husband bought contact paper for our food pantry and other kitchen cabinets. It’s made cleaning our kitchen shelves easier. Also, the project gave us the opportunity to discard staples in our pantry, like beans and spices, that expired.
10.) Wipe down your cabinets.
Don’t forget to clean your kitchen cabinets. I touch my cabinets daily, so it’s important for me to keep them clean.
11.) Clean your coffee maker.
Some experts recommend cleaning coffee machines once a month. Consider using a descaler to remove minerals and grime. Plus, a clean coffee maker will result in better coffee!
12.) Don’t neglect your bathroom.
Cleaning my toilet isn’t my favorite task, and it’s a non-negotiable task. I start at the base of the toilet and work my way up. Next on my list is cleaning my shower, bathroom sink, and shower doors or shower curtain and replacing liners. Then, I give the tile a good scrub. I’ve also made it a priority to sanitize bathroom cleaning tools like the plunger and toilet brush.
The following articles helped me tidy up my bathroom: “How to Properly Clean a Toilet” and “How to Clean a Shower So It Sparkles from Top to Bottom.”
13.) Scrub your trash can.
Katie Holdefehr encouraged her readers to “make your trash smell better.” This is a great tip! I take my trash can outside, and scrub it with disinfectant and a sponge. Then I spray it down with water.
14.) Don’t forget your faucets and sinks.
Spring cleaning is a good time to deep clean faucets, handles, and sinks. I usually take the handles off, then soak them in vinegar to remove mineralization and soap scum. I also use a toothpick or an old toothbrush to clean hard to reach places.
15.) Oil wood surfaces.
My mom gave me a beautiful small oak dining room table. Since it’s wood, either my husband or I will oil and wax the table. We do the same with our wood cutting boards. Daily wiping with soap and water dries out the wood over time, so oiling the wood seasonally helps restore the table and cutting boards back to their natural beauty.
16.) Make your home brighter by cleaning light fixtures.
It amazes me how much dust accumulates on lamps, light bulbs, and overhead lights. This is a good time to clean ceiling fans too. I use a damp towel to clean all our lights (and ceiling fans). Cleaning our light fixtures has made our home brighter. Plus, the air quality is cleaner.
17.) Dust your art.
Don’t forget to dust art and photos that hang on your walls. I use a microfiber cloth to gently dust photos and art. When dusting, consider wearing a face mask to help you breathe easier.
18.) Pay attention to your furniture.
A few years ago, we purchased a couch. The couch is cozy, and it has removable covers. The fabric covers are easy to wash, and that’s simplified our cleaning process. I also vacuum and spot clean my throw pillows. Shake out area rugs too!
And, don’t forget to clean your pet furniture. Wash pet beds, blankets, and vacuum their furniture.
19.) Wash comforters.
Our washing machine is very tiny, so we go to a local laundromat to wash bigger items like comforters, quilts, and pillows. I don’t do this weekly, so spring cleaning is an opportunity to wash our large blankets and other items.
20.) Donate books.
Reevaluate what books you want to keep, and what books you want to donate to the library. For instance, I pull all the books off my bookshelf, clean the shelves, and then decide what to keep or give away.
21.) Clean hard to reach places.
I like cleaning under my oven, refrigerator, and couch. This requires a little more effort, and help. Moving big items, then vacuuming or mopping the space feels good!
22.) Wipe down your walls.
Every year, I take time to clean the dust, dirt, and grime from my walls and baseboards. It’s an opportunity to remove scuff marks from my front door, too.
23.) Clean your carpet.
Clean your carpet with a portable cleaner or hire someone to help you. For example, last year we hired a professional to come and clean our carpet. It was one of the best purchases we made in 2021!
24.) Reimagine and rearrange rooms you use often.
We’ve rearranged our living room a few times. It’s the main gathering space in our home, and we’ve created a space that is open, welcoming, and clutter free. For more tips read: Designer Tips For A Stunning Living Room Arrangement.
25.) Treat yourself.
After your home is tidy, treat yourself! Go out to dinner, make a sweet treat, or take a long walk in the park. Do something that is fun and joyful and celebrate that you implemented these spring cleaning tips!
Bonus: clean your outdoor spaces too. Wash your deck, porch and or patio to encourage spring time outdoor activities.
Spring Cleaning Resources (5 resources that will help you tidy up, and get inspired)
If you’re not sure where to begin, explore the resource list below. The list is meant to aid your spring cleaning project, and inspire you.
1.) Listen to Courtney and Bailey share their spring cleaning ideas on the Soul and Wit podcast. They inspired me to make a new spring cleaning checklist and clean my home in short bursts.
2.) Do Project 333 or a closet cleanout. As Courtney said, “Cleaning out your closet can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn‘t have to be! With the right tools and a willingness to be honest about what you have and what you need, you can make your closet a happier space.”
3.) Watch “How to do laundry when you’re depressed” by KC Davis. Consider reading Davis’s book – How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing. It’s on my to-read list. And, check out Davis’s website – Struggle Care for more spring cleaning ideas.
4.) Explore Coutney’s archive of decluttering articles. It’s full of articles with amazing stories, resources, and ideas. Here’s a helpful piece to get you started: Decluttering Your Life: 7 Little Notes To Help You Let Go.
5.) Remember: spring cleaning isn’t a race or competition. Go at your own pace. Make the process joyful by pairing it with things you love and treat yourself afterwards.
If you struggle with spring cleaning and other household tasks
In this article, I’ve shared how fun and easy spring cleaning can be. However, I want to acknowledge that cleaning isn’t easy or fun for everyone. Chronic illness, disability, ADHD, depression, and more can make spring cleaning – and daily chores – feel like an insurmountable challenge.
KC Davis – therapist and author – said, “Care tasks are morally neutral.” Davis explained that struggling with care tasks doesn’t make you lazy, irresponsible, or immature. She said, “… having an organized closet doesn’t make you a success. And living out of a pile of laundry on the floor doesn’t make you a failure.”
Keeping this in mind is essential. If you are struggling, remember you aren’t alone.
Why decluttering is one of the best spring cleaning ideas
Over the years, I’ve lived in a very tiny house and in large apartments. No matter the size of my living space, I’ve learned:
When I own less, I clean less.
Owning less (one of my favorite spring cleaning ideas) makes daily chores – and spring cleaning – less stressful and easy for me. And, I still need to take care of my belongings and home. For me, ongoing care tasks include daily cleaning, decluttering, organizing, and making spring cleaning joyful.