Now is the perfect time to prepare your home for the warmer months ahead. As a busy mom, this task can seem daunting, but with some planning, it can be manageable and even enjoyable. Whether you intend to tackle your home top to bottom or just want to hit those cobwebs in the corner, our spring cleaning guide will help ensure you mark off every item on your list!
Mom’s Guide to Spring Cleaning
Plan, Prioritize, Strategize
If you are like me, one of the most difficult parts of cleaning is just getting started. It helps to create a list of the areas and items you’d like to address, prioritize them, and get started. You may need to put this on your calendar, take your next open weekend, or stretch over several days that work with your schedule. I find it easiest to do one room at a time, cleaning, decluttering, and organizing as you go, so for this guide, I will lay it out by room, however, I know others find it easier to do one task at a time, hitting every room before moving to the next task. Do what works for you!
Organize
If you have the time and money, I recommend investing in an organizing solution that works for your area and keeps it functional, I’m a huge fan of The Home Edit line at Walmart. I have also found that Aldi regularly offers various storage options in their Aldi Finds aisle. While some of us (it’s me, I’m some of us) may have an unhealthy obsession with organizational products, these are entirely optional and can be as simple as empty shoeboxes or cheap bins from the dollar store.
Get Started with Spring Cleaning
If the weather is nice with warm temperatures, open the windows to let the fresh air in. As you go along make note of anything structural or functional that may require repair or maintenance, you can come back to that list later. Also, remove anything worn or broken, or items you no longer use; these can be immediately thrown away, or sorted for recycling, donation, or resell.
The following tasks should be done for each room as applicable:
- Clean windows and coverings
- Dust along the tops of windows and doorframes
- Dust and wipe down all baseboards and any other structural ledges
- Wipe down walls to remove stains as needed
- Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Replace burnt-out lightbulbs
- Replace air filters
- Test and replace batteries in all smoke detectors
- Empty the trash
- Make a restock list for each area
- Swap out seasonal décor
Living Room and Shared Spaces
- Vacuum and spot clean upholstered furniture
- Dust wooden furniture
- Clean and condition leather furniture
- Wash throw blankets and pillows
- Dust all surfaces and electronics
- Clean and switch the rotation of the ceiling fan
- Remove and clean rugs
- Vacuum and shampoo carpet or mop the floor
- Organize items on bookshelves, coffee tables, and end tables
- Remove broken or worn items
Bedrooms
- Remove and wash all bedding and pillows
- Rotate or flip the mattress
- Sanitize mattress with baking soda
- Dust all surfaces and wooden furniture
- Vacuum and spot clean upholstered furniture
- Clean and condition leather furniture
- Organize items on bookshelves, dressers, nightstands, and tables
- Clean and switch the rotation of the ceiling fan
- Remove and clean rugs
- Vacuum and shampoo carpet or mop the floor
- Clean under the bed
- Swap out seasonal clothing and gear
- Remove clothing items you no longer wear
Bathrooms
- Clean sinks and counters, toilets, showers and bathtubs, mirrors, and light fixtures
- Sweep and mop floors
- Clean and reseal tile and grout
- Clean faucets and shower heads using a vinegar solution
- Wash rugs and bathmats
- Wash or replace shower curtain liner
- Remove all expired or unused medications, toiletries, or cosmetics
- Wipe out and organize drawers and cabinets
Kitchen and Pantry
- Remove all items from cabinets and wipe down surfaces
- Remove unused appliances, cookware, bakeware, dishes and utensils
- Discard expired or stale food, spices, or ingredients
- Wipe out refrigerator surfaces
- Pull out refrigerator, dust coils, and vacuum debris
- Clean large and small appliances
- Clean and sanitize dishwasher
- Clean and sanitize garbage disposal
- Clean counters, sinks, and faucets
- Clean backsplash, tile and grout, reseal if needed
- Sweep and mop floors
Laundry Room
- Clean behind washer and dryer
- Wipe down outside of washer and dryer
- Sanitize washer and rubber seal for front load
- Clean out lint trap
- Clean counters and sinks
- Wipe out and organize cabinets and drawers
- Remove any unused items
- Vacuum or sweep and mop floor
Home Office
- Clean off desktop
- Put loose items away
- Organize files and office supplies
- Remove unused items
- Shred unneeded documents
Playroom or Family Room
- Vacuum and spot clean upholstered furniture
- Dust wooden furniture
- Clean and condition leather furniture
- Wash throw blankets and pillows
- Dust all surfaces and electronics
- Clean and switch the rotation of the ceiling fan
- Clean off cabinets and counters
- Discard toys with broken or missing pieces
- Remove worn or unused toys
- Organize toys, books, puzzles, craft supplies, electronics
- Vacuum or sweep and mop floors
- Clean rugs
- Sanitize surfaces and remove any stains
- Sanitize plush toys
Storage and Closets
- Remove all items and wipe off surfaces
- Discard broken or expired items
- Removed worn or unused items
- Vacuum or sweep and mop floors
Junk Drawer
- Empty out and organize
- Discard broken items
- Remove unused items
Garage and Outdoors
- Sweep and power wash garage floor, patios, and decks
- Discard broken or expired items
- Remove worn or unused items
- Swap out seasonal items
- Clean outdoor furniture
- Clean and service grills and smokers
- Clean and service lawn mower
- Service bicycles and inflate tires
- Assess sports equipment and inflate balls
Vehicles
- Remove trash and recycling
- Vacuum upholstered surfaces
- Wipe down flat surfaces
- Clean and condition leather surfaces
- Swap out seasonal items
- Relocate forgotten household items and toys
- Condense and organize necessary items (first aid kit, baby/toddler supplies, sports items, etc)
- Wash exterior or go through a car wash
We hope you found this guide helpful as you tackle your way to a clean and organized home. We have also compiled a list of local resources that may assist you in this process. There is no shame in hiring help, our cleaners are the best investment we’ve made for our home over the last two years!
Cleaning Resources in Manhattan
Carpet Cleaning
Little Apple Carpet, Floor & Air Cleaning
Cleaning Services
Caribbean Shine Cleaning Services
Emerald Cleaning Service Manhattan
Good Witch Cleaning Services LLC
Dry Cleaners
Krispy Clean Cleaners & Laundromat
Exterior Cleaning
Junk Removal
Laundromats
Great for large bedding items and washable rugs!
Krispy Clean Cleaners & Laundromat
