The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Guide

(With Room-by-Room Checklists)

There’s something deeply satisfying about throwing open the windows on a warm spring morning, breathing in the fresh air, and deciding ‘today’s the day’. Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up — it’s a seasonal reset for your home and your mindset. After months of closed windows, heaters running, and shorter days spent mostly indoors, your home has accumulated dust, grime, clutter, and a whole lot of things you’ve been meaning to deal.

Whether you’re tackling the whole house over a long weekend or chipping away room by room over a few weeks, this guide has you covered. We’ve broken it all down into manageable, room-by-room checklists so nothing gets missed — and nothing feels overwhelming.

Before you begin

A few things that make the whole process easier:

• Start with decluttering before cleaning — there’s no point polishing around things you’re going to donate or throw out
• Work top to bottom, back to front — dust and debris fall downward, so clean ceilings and shelves before floors
• Have three boxes ready: Keep, Donate, Toss
• Open every window you can — fresh air is your friend
• Put on a great playlist or podcast — it makes everything faster

Kitchen

The kitchen works hardest of any room in the house. This is usually where spring cleaning makes the biggest visible difference.

• Clear and wipe down all benchtops
• Empty, clean, and reorganise every cupboard and drawer
• Wipe down cupboard doors and handles (inside and out)
• Degrease the rangehood filter (soak in hot soapy water)
• Clean the oven — inside, door glass, and knobs
• Defrost and clean the freezer
• Wipe down fridge shelves, drawers, and door seals
• Clean behind and underneath the fridge and oven
• Descale the kettle and clean the coffee machine
• Wipe down the microwave inside and out
• Scrub the sink and polish the tap
• Clean the dishwasher filter and run an empty hot cycle
• Wash or replace the kitchen bin liner; scrub the bin
• Wipe down splashbacks and tiles
• Check pantry for expired items and reorganise
• Wipe down light fittings and switches
• Sweep and mop the floor.

Loungeroom

The room you relax in deserves a proper refresh.

• Dust ceiling fans, light fittings, and cornices
• Clean windows and window tracks inside and out
• Wash or dust curtains and blinds
• Vacuum and flip couch cushions
• Spot-clean or professionally clean upholstery if needed
• Dust and wipe down the TV and all electronics
• Untangle and organise cables
• Wipe down skirting boards
• Clean the fireplace or heater grate (if applicable)
• Dust artwork, mirrors, and photo frames
• Clear out and organise shelving and display areas
• Declutter coffee table and side tables
• Wipe down all surfaces — shelves, sideboards, coffee tables
• Vacuum and/or steam-clean rugs and carpets
• Mop hard floors or vacuum carpet

Bedrooms

A clean bedroom promotes better sleep, it’s worth the effort.

• Dust ceiling fans and light fittings
• Wash all bedding — sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers
• Wash or air duvets, pillows, and mattress protectors
• Flip or rotate the mattress
• Vacuum the mattress (and treat any stains)
• Wash curtains or wipe down blinds
• Empty and reorganise wardrobe — donate anything unworn in 12 months
• Wipe down wardrobe shelves and rails
• Wipe down bedside tables and lamps
• Clean mirrors and glass surfaces
• Wipe down bedside tables and lamps
• Clean under the bed (pull it out if possible)
• Clean windows and windowsills
• Wipe down skirting boards and door frames
• Vacuum or mop the floor

Bathrooms

Bathrooms benefit most from a deep clean. Mould and soap scum can build up fast in closed, steamy spaces.

• Clean the exhaust fan cover (dust-clogged fans cause moisture problems)
• Wash bathmats and towels
• Scrub the shower recess, tiles, and screen
• Remove and soak the shower head to descale
• Scrub the bath (if applicable)
• Clean and disinfect the toilet — bowl, seat, lid, and base
• Scrub and polish the sink and tap
• Clean the mirror
• Wipe down all surfaces and shelving
• Check and treat any mould or mildew on grout and sealant
• Empty and organise the vanity and medicine cabinet — dispose of expired products
• Mop the floor, including behind the toilet

Dining room

Often overlooked, especially if it doubles as a workspace.

• Clean light fitting above the table (often very dusty)
• Clean the dining table thoroughly — including legs and underside
• Wash or wipe down curtains and blinds
• Clean windows and windowsills
• Wipe down and check all dining chairs (tighten any wobbly screws)
• Dust and wipe down the buffet/sideboard
• Polish or condition timber furniture if needed
• Sweep or vacuum and mop the floor

Laundry

The room that cleans everything else, deserves attention too.

• Clean the washing machine drum (run a hot empty cycle with white vinegar or a machine cleaner)
• Wipe down the outside of the washing machine and dryer
• Check the washing machine hoses for wear or leaks
• Clean the dryer lint trap and interior drum
• Clean the ironing board cover
• Check for and dispose of expired or nearly empty products
• Clear and clean the laundry tub and tap
• Wipe down shelves and reorganise cleaning products
• Sweep and mop the floor

Windows, walls and hard-to-reach spots

These are the things that get skipped with every other clean — spring is the time.

• Wash all exterior windows
• Clean window screens (remove, scrub, and rinse)
• Wipe down all interior windowsills and tracks
• Spot-clean scuff marks and fingerprints from walls
• Wash light switch plates and power point covers
• Dust and wipe all door frames and tops of doors
• Wipe down skirting boards throughout the home
• Dust smoke alarms and test batteries
• Clean air conditioning filters and vents

General whole-home tasks

Do these once across the entire house.

• Replace smoke alarm and CO detector batteries
• Change air conditioning and air purifier filters
• Check fire extinguisher charge and expiry
• Declutter the medicine cabinet — dispose of expired medications safely
• Update your home emergency kit
• Donate bagged items

Outdoor areas

Spring is the perfect time to get your outdoor spaces ready for the warmer months ahead.

• Clear gutters of leaves and debris
• Check and clean downpipes
• Sweep and wash down the patio or deck
• Clean outdoor furniture — wash cushion covers if removable
• Sweep the garage floor and declutter shelves
• Tidy the garage / shed — declutter and reorganise tools
• Wipe down outdoor light fittings
• Clean the BBQ — grill, grease trap, and exterior
• Check garden hoses, taps, and irrigation systems
• Check fences, gates, and latches for damage
• Clear away winter garden debris; prepare garden beds for spring planting

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to happen all in one exhausting day. Use this guide as your seasonal roadmap — tackle one room at a time, tick off each item as you go, and enjoy the remarkable difference a thorough clean makes to how your home looks, feels, and smells.

There’s a reason spring cleaning is a tradition – when your space is fresh, ordered, and light, it genuinely changes your mood. You sleep better, think more clearly, and feel a quiet sense of pride every time you walk through the front door.

So, grab your gloves, crank up the music, and get started. Your sparkling spring home is waiting.

Save or print this checklist and tick each item off as you go. Know someone getting ready for a spring clean? Share this article with them — it might be the nudge they need!