Spring cleaning doesn’t need to happen in the spring. If you’re looking for something to do on a fall weekend or you’re suddenly itching to tackle that junk drawer you’ve been avoiding, it’s time to take on this project. 

The idea behind spring cleaning is to perfect every nook and cranny of your home, leaving it spotless from top to bottom. “Spring” really just means “deep” cleaning a house.  

This is easier said than done.

Below, we’ll share our top spring cleaning tips, which will help you organize your project and leave every room on your list sparkling. Break out your cleaning supplies and get ready. Clean rooms start with clean ideas.

How to spring clean

1. Make a checklist

‍We have the ultimate hack for you: Make a spring clean checklist. If you start to tackle this big project without direction, you’ll end up getting distracted and frustrated, and the work will take longer. Go room by room and assess what you need to do. Don’t forget that you’ll need to declutter cabinets, closets, and drawers and clean windows. 

Don’t worry if you can’t get everything done in one day. Split up your tasks over a weekend and start with the dirtiest jobs so you can fine-tune the clean as you do.

2. Kitchens

‍Kitchens are one of the most frequented rooms in our home, meaning they’re constantly dirty. Many of us do a good job at keeping up with a regular kitchen cleaning routine by washing dishes daily and wiping down grime. But for a deep clean, you need to go a step further. 

Remove all of the pots, pans, utensils, and plates from your shelves and drawers, clean the surfaces, and eliminate cobwebs. Wipe down stored appliances that may be picking up dust and inside the kitchen cabinets. Take all of the glasses (even the ones you only use on special occasions) and give them a good wash with dish soap in the sink. Throw any kitchen towels and fabric napkins you may have in the washing machine. 

One of the most important aspects of how to spring clean your kitchen is tackling that refrigerator. Take out each shelf and drawer, and wipe them down well, removing grime and excess food. Toss out that jar of mayonnaise that’s two years old while you’re at it, and put a box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb future odors.

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3. Bathrooms

‍Bathrooms are another of the biggest jobs when it comes to doing a home-wide clean. We have a handy, detailed guide on how to clean your bathroom that you can read here, and while it’s a great start, you’ll want to go deeper on a spring clean. Aside from cleaning the tile, toilet, surfaces, and ceiling, you’ll want to wash all of your towels, scrub the grout, unclog your showerhead, and wipe down the shower curtain. 

And just as we recommended with the kitchen, take out everything you store in your bathroom drawers and wipe down surfaces. Clean off the objects themselves, too. Items like shampoo bottles, makeup containers, and toothpaste tubes get grimy and gummy, don’t stick them back into a clean drawer without wiping them down first. Finish your bathroom cleaning with a liberal dose of room spray or air freshener.

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4. Bedrooms, living areas, and offices

‍Once you have the kitchen and bathroom under your belt, you’re more than halfway done with your spring clean—even if you live in a home with three bedrooms, an office, and an enormous living room. We think of these rooms as dust collectors, but they aren’t nearly as grimy as bathrooms or kitchens. 

If you have accent rugs, take them outside and give them a good shake or wash them as per the label instructions. Vacuum the entire space carefully, including the crevices of furniture where dust and dander build up, and wipe down all surfaces. Yes, “all surfaces” includes the spaces under and between books and electronics. Use a microfiber cloth or duster to wipe dust from baseboards and ceiling fans.  Speaking of dust, wipe down lampshades and light fixtures, even if it means getting out a ladder to reach high-up spots. Dust bunnies aren’t cute. You should also clean out under your bed, no matter how difficult it is. Speaking of the bed, wash all of your linens like sheets and pillowcases, including the second set you have stored away. 

Organize your shelves, drawers, and other storage spaces. Look through that junk pile of papers to check for old bills or magazines you can recycle.

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5. Closets

‍You know that pair of acid wash jeans you never wear? It’s time to donate them. Experts like Marie Kondo know a lot about how to spring clean a closet and they recommend taking everything out and assessing which pieces still serve you. Let go of items you don’t wear anymore, and pass them on for some second-hand love. Take advantage of the fact that the closet is empty to wipe down and thoroughly dry surfaces. If you have a lot of knicknacks, consider investing in some organizational items like containers and boxes. 

Be intentional when putting everything back in the closets, storing clothing and other items in logical places, lining up your shoes, and prioritizing access to your most-worn pieces.

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If you need to stock up on cleaning products, Gopuff is here to help. You can order everything you need in seconds and have it at your door in a matter of minutes. Make that spring cleaning checklist to be ready once your items arrive.