Spring Cleaning Master Post [+Printables]

Hey everyone! I’m so excited to be writing this post today, because Spring Cleaning is my favorite time of year! I usually hate cleaning the rest of the year, but making it into a big event really motivates me.

There is going to be a ton of useful stuff in this post to help you get your Spring Cleaning marathon organized and on-track. That means it’s going to be so long that it needs an index:

Tips + Tricks

Master List of What to Clean

Printable Cleaning Checklist

DIY Cleaners

Year-Round Cleaning Log

Tips + Tricks

Here are some of my tried and true tips to make your Spring Cleaning a little easier:

Pick a day, schedule an event, add it to your calendar. Tell your mom or your spouse. Make yourself really accountable to get it done on that day. And make sure you set aside enough time to get it all done. I would recommend at least six hours for a whole house, depending on the size of your space.
Recruit helpers. It’s much easier when you have extra hands to help with the cleaning. If you’re a control freak like me and you’re nervous about having to go back over everything your helpers have already “cleaned,” give them an easy job like clearing off surfaces or throwing things in the washing machine.
Opening the windows really makes a difference. Letting out all of that musty winter air really freshens up your space. Adding in some air fresheners or scented candles will also help clean your air.
Have all of your supplies on hand before you start. Nothing is worse than running out of paper towels midway through Spring Cleaning. By the time you get back from the store, your motivation might be gone.
On the same note, try to avoid breaks. Take one break for lunch in the middle of the day if needed, and then keep going. Don’t sit down and check your phone for “just a few minutes,” it can end up adding hours more to your cleaning time. The best practice is to just power through and get it done.
Play music or whatever gets you motivated. Cleaning in silence is no fun!
Stay hydrated. Believe it or not, all this scrubbing is actually a workout! You need to replenish your fluids throughout the day. Don’t get too focused that you forget to take care of yourself.
Reward yourself for finishing. Go out to dinner, buy yourself a new outfit, or go on a day trip you’ve been wanting to take. But don’t do it until every single box on your check list is filled!

Master Cleaning List

If you’re planning on doing an actual Spring Cleaning marathon like I am, it’s important to have a list of what all you need to clean and refresh. Of course, not all of these things will apply to everyone, and you may have extra things to add to the list. You can and should tailor this list to you and your family’s needs.

I’m also not one of those people who is going to wipe down every wall in the house or clean the window screens. If you desire to do those things, power to you! I haven’t included them on this list. Here is a much more consolidated list where I have broken down some of my ideas by location:

Everywhere:

Open windows for fresh air
Light a nice scented candle
Vacuum/mop floors
Wipe windowsills and blinds, clean out tracks
Clean fan blades and light fixtures
Wipe light switches and door knobs
Dust and wipe all surfaces, bookshelves, knick knacks
Clean off surface clutter, organize drawers and cabinets
Dust hanging pictures and decorations

Bathrooms:

Clean and declutter counter tops
Wipe mirrors
Unclog drains as needed
Shine faucets
New toothbrushes and shower sponges
Wipe down all handles, knobs and light switches
Wipe down toilet paper roll holder (this one is easy to forget, but when you think about it, could collect a ton of germs!)
Wipe scale
Clean trash can
Clean toothbrush holder and soap dishes
Clean toilet (don’t forget the handle and the base)
Wash rugs
Wash linens (hand towels, wash cloths, towels, shower curtain)
New plastic shower liner
Organize drawers, linen closet and cabinets (don’t forget the medicine cabinet)
Clean tub/shower
Scrub tile and grout

Bedrooms:

Wash sheets
Wash mattress cover
Flip mattress
Wash and fluff pillows (or purchase new)
Wash duvet or air out comforter
Wash blankets
Vacuum (don’t forget under the bed, if possible)
Refold clothes in drawers
Get rid of socks without matches
Clean out closet and donate old clothes

Kitchen:

Deep clean fridge and freezer, wiping all surfaces and drawers (don’t forget the outside and handles), vacuum coils
Deep clean pantry, wiping all surfaces, vacuum out any crumbs
Clean range fan vents
Clean stove burners/grates
Clean oven
Clean dishwasher
Clean garbage disposal
Clean microwave
Clean and organize cabinets and drawers
If possible, move appliances and mop/vacuum behind
Change water purifier filter if applicable
Wipe fronts of cabinets and undersides of top cabinets
Clean backsplash
Clean/disinfect trash can

Miscellaneous

Wipe TV remote, keyboards and other electronics that are touched often
Clean any junk drawers/closets
Replace air filter
Clean washing machine and dryer, plus vacuum dryer vents
Deep clean interior of car
Clean up garage
Clean patio
Wash pet bedding

Printable Cleaning Checklist

On this free printable checklist I’ve included some of the big things to clean for each room so you can check them off as you go. I have taped my list into my bullet journal, but feel free to hole punch and place in a cleaning binder or go loose leaf!

This checklist is really helpful if you’re splitting the cleaning up into a few different days (or even weeks) so you won’t forget what you’ve already accomplished. One thing I added that I don’t see on a lot of other printable lists is space to add your own tasks. Not everyone’s homes are the same and many people have specific things that need to be cleaned. So feel free to add those in to the available spaces!

To download and print the log, simply click here.

DIY Cleaners

Not only are these cleaners cost effective and easy to make with common household items, they are also more environmentally friendly and much safer for kids and pets than traditional chemical-filled cleaning products.

Lavender + Lemon All-Purpose Cleaner from Lauren’s Notebook

Toilet Cleaning Bombs from Mom4Real

Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent from Bren Did

Homemade Sink Disposal Cleaner Tabs from The Taylor House

DIY Spot Carpet Cleaner from My Frugal Adventures

Miracle Grout Cleaner DIY from The WHOot

Year Round “When Did I Last” Cleaning Log

I created this printable log to aid in keeping your house clean year round. The “When Did I Last” log is designed to track the last time you did a task like change your sheets. It’s made for tasks that need to be done on an infrequent basis, to aid with remembering to do the task each time.

You can start filling out your log when you do your Spring Cleaning, and then keep track of all the tasks over the coming months from there. If you keep up with these tasks (and track them) over the whole year, you won’t have so much to do when it comes to Spring Cleaning.

To view the full “When Did I Last” post, download and print the log, plus more ideas, simply click here.

Wooh! Thanks for hanging on until the end of this loooong post! Let me know what your Spring Cleaning plans are! Did you find these tips and printables helpful?