Spring is here! 🌸
And if you're anything like me, this is the time of year when you start looking around your home thinking...
"Okay, it's definitely time for a good clean!"
After winter, it's lovely to open the windows, let some fresh air in and give your home a proper reset.
But spring cleaning doesn't mean you have to spend an entire weekend scrubbing every inch of your house.
The easiest way is to work through one room at a time, declutter as you go and tackle those jobs that don't usually make it onto your weekly cleaning list.
I've put together my simple room-by-room spring cleaning checklist to help you get started.
And once the cleaning is done, I've got a few easy ideas for giving your home a little spring refresh too.
🌸 Want to make spring cleaning easier?
I've created a free printable Spring Cleaning Checklist you can keep beside you while you work your way around the house.
Before you clean, declutter
This is where I'd start.
There's not much point spending hours cleaning around things you don't use anymore.
Spring is a great time to have a good sort-out and clear some of the things that have been taking up space.
And you don't have to do the whole house in one go.
Pick one room, one cupboard or even one drawer and start there.
As you go, look for:
- Things you haven't used in ages
- Broken or damaged items
- Clothes you no longer wear
- Outgrown kids' clothes and toys
- Old paperwork
- Expired food and products
- Linen and towels that have seen better days
- Décor you're no longer using
I like the simple keep, donate or throw away approach.
You'll be surprised how much easier cleaning feels once there's less stuff in the way.
Need help getting started?
Have a read of our guide to How to Declutter Your Home Without Feeling Overwhelmed.
Your Spring Cleaning Checklist
Don't feel like you have to tackle everything in one day.
Work through one room at a time and tick things off as you go.
And here's one of my favourite cleaning tips:
Work from top to bottom.
That way, any dust that falls as you clean won't land on an area you've already finished.
🏡 Around the house
These are the jobs that are easy to forget when you're doing your usual clean.
- Dust ceiling fans and light fittings
- Clean air-conditioning filters
- Wipe down skirting boards
- Clean window sills and tracks
- Clean inside windows
- Dust blinds and curtains
- Wipe down door frames
- Clean light switches
- Wipe door handles
- Dust those hard-to-reach corners
- Vacuum underneath furniture
- Replace any dead light bulbs
Tip: Pick a direction and work your way around the room. It makes it much harder to miss something.
🍽️ Kitchen
The kitchen is one of those rooms that can look clean but still have plenty of jobs hiding away.
Spring is a good time to give it a proper deep clean.
- Clean inside the fridge
- Check use-by dates
- Clean and reorganise the pantry
- Wipe inside cupboards and drawers
- Clean the oven
- Clean the stovetop
- Clean the rangehood and filters
- Clean the dishwasher
- Clean the toaster and other small appliances
- Wipe down splashbacks
- Clean the sink and taps
- Freshen the drain
- Wipe down cupboard handles
- Clean the kitchen bin
Once you've finished, take a moment to enjoy your nice clean kitchen.
This is also a great time to clear some of the clutter from your benches.
A little less stuff can make a kitchen feel so much fresher.
🛁 Bathroom
Now for the room nobody particularly enjoys cleaning!
Take everything out of your cupboards and drawers first.
You'll probably find a few things hiding in there that you forgot you had.
- Throw away expired products
- Clean cupboards and drawers
- Clean the shower
- Scrub grout
- Clean the bath
- Clean tiles
- Clean mirrors
- Clean shower glass
- Wash bath mats
- Wash towels
- Clean the toilet
- Wipe down taps
- Clean the exhaust fan
Don't forget those little areas that are easy to overlook — toothbrush holders, soap dispensers and the corners around the taps.
🛏️ Bedroom
There's something so nice about getting into a freshly cleaned bedroom at the end of the day.
Spring is the perfect time to give yours a proper reset.
- Sort through your wardrobe
- Donate clothes you no longer wear
- Pack away winter clothes
- Clean bedside tables
- Dust lamps
- Clean mirrors
- Vacuum under the bed
- Clean windows and tracks
- Wash your sheets
- Wash mattress protectors
- Air your mattress
- Wash pillows according to their care instructions
Then have a look at the room itself.
Could it use a little refresh?
You don't need to completely redecorate.
Sometimes changing a couple of cushions, adding a lighter throw or moving a few accessories is enough to make the room feel fresh for spring.
🧸 Kids' bedrooms
If you've got kids, spring is a great time to have a proper sort-out.
And let's be honest...
How do they accumulate so much stuff? 😂
- Sort through clothes they've outgrown
- Donate unwanted clothes
- Sort through toys
- Throw away broken toys
- Donate toys they no longer play with
- Wash favourite soft toys
- Wash bedding
- Air the mattress
- Vacuum underneath the bed
- Dust shelves and furniture
- Clean windows
Get the kids involved if you can.
Give them a box and ask them to choose some things they no longer use.
🛋️ Living & dining room
This is usually one of the hardest-working areas of the home, so it can make a big difference when it's clean and clutter-free.
- Dust furniture
- Vacuum the sofa
- Vacuum underneath the cushions
- Wash cushion covers
- Dust lamps
- Clean windows
- Wipe skirting boards
- Dust artwork and décor
- Clean the dining table and chairs
- Clear out cupboards and shelves
And then...the fun part!
Once everything is clean, look around the room with fresh eyes.
Could you:
- Swap your winter cushions?
- Add a lighter throw?
- Rearrange your coffee table?
- Move some of your décor around?
- Add some greenery?
- Change your wall art?
- Add a statement wall clock?
You don't need to buy a whole new room.
Sometimes one new piece is all it takes.
💻 Home office
A clean, tidy workspace can make such a difference.
- Clear your desk
- Sort through paperwork
- Clean your computer screen
- Clean your keyboard
- Wipe your desk
- Clear out drawers
- Dust shelves
- Get rid of things you don't use
- Refresh your wall art
And if your desk has become the dumping ground for everything...
you're definitely not alone!
🧺 Laundry & linen cupboard
I always think the linen cupboard deserves a spring clean too.
- Take everything out
- Wipe down shelves
- Sort towels
- Sort sheets and bedding
- Donate unwanted linen
- Organise your bedding
- Clean your washing machine
- Clean the dryer lint filter
- Wipe down cupboards
- Dispose of old cleaning products safely
A good rule here is to keep the things you use most often where they're easiest to reach.
It makes keeping everything tidy much easier.
🌿 Don't forget outside
For us in Australia, spring also means getting ready to spend more time outside.
So don't forget your outdoor areas.
- Clean outdoor furniture
- Wash outdoor cushions
- Sweep patios and balconies
- Clean outdoor floors
- Clean the BBQ
- Tidy garden pots
- Clean the pool area
- Declutter the shed
- Sort the garage
- Tidy garden pots
- Clean the pool area
- Declutter the shed
- Sort the garage
- Clean outdoor accessories
Before long, you'll be back to those long afternoons outside, BBQs and entertaining.
⏰ Only have 10 minutes?
Don't let the thought of spring cleaning the whole house put you off.
Set a timer for 10 minutes.
That's it.
Try this:
1. Open the windows.
2. Clear the kitchen bench.
3. Put away anything that's out of place.
4. Fluff the cushions.
5. Fold your throw.
6. Clear the coffee table.
7. Put away shoes, bags and other clutter.
8. Wipe down the main surfaces.
9. Add some fresh flowers or greenery.
10. Sit down and enjoy your freshly reset room.
You might be surprised by how much difference 10 minutes can make.
🌸 Now comes the fun part
You've cleaned.
You've decluttered.
You've probably found a few things you forgot you owned!
Now it's time to make your home feel fresh for spring.
And you really don't need to start from scratch.
Try a few simple changes.
Swap darker winter cushions for lighter colours, softer textures or a new pattern.
Add a lighter throw
A throw is one of the easiest ways to change the look of a sofa or bedroom.
Refresh your walls
Have you had the same artwork on the wall for years?
Spring is a great time to change things around.
Or perhaps you've been thinking about adding a large wall clock to a room that needs a little something extra.
Bring in natural textures
Timber, linen, rattan, greenery and other natural textures work beautifully as we head into the warmer months.
And don't forget to edit
This is one of my favourite styling tips.
You don't always need to add more.
Sometimes taking a few things away makes the things you love stand out even more.
☀️ Get your home ready for summer
Spring cleaning is really the beginning of getting your home ready for the warmer months.
Before we know it, we'll be:
- Opening the doors and windows
- Spending more time outside
- Having friends and family over
- Enjoying BBQs
- Entertaining
- Getting ready for the holidays
So while you're cleaning, start thinking about how you want your home to feel over summer.
Fresh. Light. Comfortable. Relaxed.
And if Christmas and the holidays tend to sneak up on you every year, getting some of those bigger jobs done now means you'll have more time to actually enjoy the busy season.
💖 And finally...
For me, spring cleaning isn't really about having a perfectly spotless house all at once.
It's about walking through the front door and loving how your home feels, one room at a time.
A clean kitchen.
Fresh bedding.
A tidy living room.
A few things you've moved around.
Maybe some fresh flowers.
And a home that feels ready for the season ahead.
Because your home doesn't need to be perfect.
It just needs to feel like your favourite place to be. 🤍
🌸 Don't forget your checklist!
Want to keep your spring cleaning organised?
Happy spring cleaning!
Sandra x