Our 30-Day Spring Cleaning Checklist Is Here to Save Your Home from Mess

Day 1: Trap Dust in Every Room

Getting rid of dust is a good start to a clean house. Use a broom to catch any cobwebs in your kitchen, living room, bedrooms, and bathrooms on the ceilings.

Then, sweep or vacuum the floors. Dust the undersides of every chair and table in your home, and then vacuum and mop the floors around them. Dust your books and the knick-knacks.

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Day 2: Take Inventory of Your Clothing

Since the spring weather is coming, switch out your seasonal clothing. Wash winter gloves, hats, and scarves, and pack them up for next year. If necessary, take your winter coats to the dry cleaner. Remove odd socks from your sock drawer, and either toss them or use them as cleaning rags.

Go through your dresser, and pull out items of clothing you haven’t worn in a year and have no plans to wear again. Put them in your donation box. Sort through storage boxes and add items to the donate or mend boxes, as needed.

Day 3: Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet

Check expiration dates on prescription and OTC medicines. Look up local regulations on how to properly dispose of medicines. Organize your emergency supplies. Make sure you're stocked on first aid necessities.

Day 4: Sort Your Shoes

It's time to sort through your family's shoes. Add any that you want to donate or repair to those respective boxes. Wash your slippers. Clean the floors of your closets, and get rid of any unused storage solutions.

Day 5: Clean Small Kitchen Tools and Appliances

Clean your small appliances and deep clean the coffee maker, following manufacturer instructions. Sort and thoroughly clean kitchen tools, such as can openers, that might not be washed regularly. Replace old kitchen sponges and rubber gloves.

Day 6: Clean Your Car

It may not be part of your house but your car should receive a spring cleaning. Use a vacuum to clean the inside of your car. Declutter while you go.

Don't neglect cleaning the floor mats. Then, wipe down interior surfaces with a cleaning solution and rag. Wash the outside of your car (or take it to a car wash).

Day 7: Deep Clean Your Fridge and Cabinets

Thoroughly clean your fridge and freezer by removing all of the food, shelves, racks, and storage containers. Wash each component. Toss any old food. Wash your ice cube trays or bin. Wipe down the sides of the fridge and freezer. Then, put everything back in. If you’re afraid of food spoiling, use a cooler to keep food cold while you work.

Take everything out of your cabinets, and clean all the surfaces before replacing the items. Check the cabinets for any unexpired food you don't plan to eat that can be donated. Throw out expired or questionable food. Sort and organize dishes and glasses.

Day 8: Toss Clutter in the Bathroom

Declutter and clean your bathroom storage. Take everything out, and clean the backs, sides, and bottoms of the cabinets and drawers. Dispose of any expired bathroom cleaning products. Replace any old, worn toothbrushes and/or razors. Wash or replace your shower curtain liner.

Day 9: Wash Household Linens

Wash your couch covers, pillowcases, and other linens used around the house. Launder the curtains in your living room, dining room, and bedrooms, or take them to a dry cleaner.

Wash your tea towels and kitchen towels. Toss small rugs, bathroom mats, and bathrobes in the wash. Wash your ironing board cover and organize your linen closet.

Day 10: Clean Your Electronics

Clean your remote controls. Clean your phones, tablets, and keyboards. Dust the screens of televisions and computers. Sort through your old CDs and tapes for items to donate.

Day 11: Toss Junk and Tend to Houseplants

Organize your junk drawer to make sure all items in it have a purpose. Get rid of worn pet toys. Tend to your houseplants. Remove dead leaves, toss old cut flowers, etc.

Day 12: Clean Your Oven

Deep clean your oven following manufacturer instructions. Clean your cooktop and ventilation hood.

Day 13: Clean Your Windows

Remove your window screens, and vacuum them using the handheld attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Then, soak them in soapy water before rinsing. Use warm, soapy water and a microfiber cloth to wipe down your windows. Then, spray on vinegar diluted with water, and wipe the windows with a clean microfiber towel to dry them.

Dust your windowsills and frames, and touch up any chipped paint around the sills.

Day 14: Toss Old Papers, Magazines, and Newspapers

Recycle old magazines, newspapers, and packing materials. Organize old paper or plastic shopping bags that are lying around in one location, so you can reuse them.

Shred sensitive documents you don't need anymore. Scan important papers, and shred the originals if they don’t need to be saved.

Day 15: Wash Your Makeup and Hairbrushes

Deep clean your makeup brushes and hairbrushes. Toss any liquid makeup over 3 months old and any powdered makeup over a year old.

Day 16: Clean Plumbing Drains and Repair Leaks

Clean every drain in your home using this method: Pour boiling water down the drain, add baking soda, and then add vinegar. Then, cover the drain with a plug for a few minutes.

Follow with another pour of boiling water. Schedule a plumber for any leaky or otherwise damaged faucets you can't fix yourself.

Day 17: Switch Out Seasonal Decor and Clean the Fireplace

Remove any winter decorations still hanging around, including throw pillows, candle holders, throw blankets, and vases. Switch scented candles, hand soaps, etc. from winter scents to fresh spring ones.

If you have a fireplace, thoroughly clean it to remove dirt and debris from winter use.

Day 18: Vacuum Furniture

Use the handheld hose and upholstery brush to vacuum the upholstery on the couch and chairs. Don't forget to vacuum under the cushions.

Then, move the couch and any heavy chairs, and clean and vacuum underneath them.

Day 19: Clean Your Garage and Outdoor Living Spaces

Declutter your garage, and throw out any unneeded items you haven’t touched since last spring. Sweep your porch, patio, or front steps and clean the concrete or stone.

Day 20: Clean Out Office Items

Go through your desk drawers, and toss broken items, such as dead pens. Collect and keep office items, such as paper clips, all in one place in your home. Take your stash of coins to a coin machine or the bank.

Day 21: Sort Your Mugs and Glasses

Declutter your mugs and glasses. Donate the ones you no longer want, and wash and put away the rest. Wash reusable water bottles and water-filtering pitchers and change the filters.

Day 22: Organize Bags

Organize your purses, backpacks, briefcases, and suitcases. Declutter what's inside and then clean and store them. Clean out your everyday bag or wallet. Wash and store reusable shopping bags all in one place.

Day 23: Repair Damaged Clothing, Linens, and Accessories

Dig into the repair box and either mend any damaged clothing and household linens yourself or take them to a tailor. Drop off shoes or boots that need repairs to a cobbler. 

Day 24: Organize Craft Supplies, Jewelry, and Collections

Organize your hobby supplies. This includes crafting supplies, board games, books, or sporting equipment. 

Clean and polish jewelry and silverware, and curate collections of your favorite objects.

Day 25: Get the Kids Involved in the Cleaning

If you have young children, teach them how to clean something in their room, and make that their chore from now on. Go through your books (including kids’ books), and donate the ones you don't want anymore.

Day 26: Dust and Vacuum Some More

There are always places to dust that may not seem obvious. Dust your blinds, and then vacuum the floor around them. Dust around your stairs, and then vacuum them.

Wipe down your baseboards and other molding where dust tends to collect. Then, vacuum the floor near them.

Day 27: Clean the Walls

Wash any interior walls that have marks or stains. Touch-up chipped or discolored paint.

Day 28: Wash Bed Linens and Clean the Mattress

Wash your bed linens, including any mattress covers, duvet covers, pillow liners, throw blankets, and throw pillows. Clean and freshen your mattress. If you have a guest room and the bed hasn’t been used in a while, strip the bed down to the mattress and wash all the linens.

Day 29: Sell or Donate Unwanted Items

Did you keep a list of items to sell? Now is the day to take your items to the consignment store or to photograph them to sell online. Take donations to a local charity.

Day 30: Recycle and Trash Responsibly and Clean Your Trashcans

Take a trip to the dump to get rid of any large items that are beyond repair. Check your local regulations for how to get rid of other unwanted items, such as old paint. Wash your garbage cans and recycling bins.