The Spring Cleaning Checklist: 60 Tasks That Actually Move the Needle

A real spring clean is a reset, not a marathon. Most homes need 8–12 hours of focused work spread across two or three weekends — or one full day with two people — to actually finish. The 60 tasks below are the ones that move the needle in a typical 3-bedroom house; everything else is upkeep that belongs on your normal weekly rhythm.

Run them in the order given. The sequence (top-to-bottom, dry-before-wet, one room at a time) is what makes the work efficient rather than circular.

How to plan it

• Total time: 8–12 hours for one person, 4–6 hours for two
• Best split: 3–4 hours per weekend across three weekends, by zone (kitchen/baths → bedrooms/closets → living/whole-house)
• Worst plan: one Saturday, no breaks. You will burn out at 11am and finish the bathrooms badly.

If you would rather skip the whole project, a deep clean booking covers the same task list in 4–5 hours with a two-person team. The deep cleaning guide breaks down the exact sequence professionals follow.

Before you start

• Open windows where possible — ventilation makes every task easier
• Stock supplies in advance: microfiber cloths (8–10), all-purpose, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, vinegar, baking soda, oven cleaner, vacuum bags or canister emptied. For greener options see the eco-friendly products guide.
• Declutter first. Spring cleaning is 30% faster when the surfaces are already cleared. The decluttering guide covers a one-hour speed pass.

Entryway and mudroom (5 tasks)

The entryway is what guests see in the first three seconds. Spend 30 minutes here.

• [ ] Empty and vacuum the coat closet; wipe shelves; rotate seasonal coats out
• [ ] Wash or replace the doormat (inside and outside)
• [ ] Wipe down the front door, frame, and threshold
• [ ] Clean the entry light fixture and any sconces
• [ ] Reset shoe storage — match pairs, donate what nobody wears

Kitchen (15 tasks)

Allow 2–3 hours. This is the room where buildup is least visible to you and most visible to a guest.

• [ ] Empty the pantry one shelf at a time; check expiration dates; wipe shelves
• [ ] Spray the oven with cleaner or a baking-soda paste; close and let dwell while you work
• [ ] Pull stovetop apart; soak grates and drip pans in hot soapy water
• [ ] Degrease the range hood and wash the metal filter (dishwasher works)
• [ ] Wipe the top of upper cabinets — the most-skipped surface in any house
• [ ] Empty the refrigerator; wipe shelves, gaskets, drawers; vacuum the back coils
• [ ] Run the dishwasher empty with a cup of vinegar; wipe the door gasket
• [ ] Descale the coffee maker and electric kettle with vinegar
• [ ] Wipe cabinet fronts top-to-bottom, focusing on the area around handles
• [ ] Empty and wash both trash and recycling cans
• [ ] Sanitise cutting boards (and oil wooden ones)
• [ ] Pull out small appliances; clean underneath and behind
• [ ] Reorganise tupperware — match lids to bases, recycle the orphans
• [ ] Wipe down the backsplash and grout lines
• [ ] Reassemble the stovetop; finish the oven; mop the floor including under the toe-kick

See the kitchen appliance guide for the specifics on each appliance.

Bathrooms (10 tasks per bathroom)

Allow 1 hour per bathroom. Spring is when scale, mildew, and grout discolouration get tackled — none of which weekly cleaning addresses.

• [ ] Strip towels and mats; wash hot
• [ ] Apply soap-scum remover to tub and shower; let it dwell
• [ ] Apply toilet bowl cleaner; let it dwell
• [ ] Descale the showerhead — bag of vinegar tied around the head, 30 minutes
• [ ] Scrub and whiten grout lines with a baking-soda paste and a stiff brush
• [ ] Clean the exhaust fan cover; vacuum dust from the vent
• [ ] Empty and reorganise the medicine cabinet; check expiry dates
• [ ] Wash the shower curtain (machine washable) or scrub glass doors
• [ ] Clean under-sink storage; check for leaks and mildew
• [ ] Clean the toilet thoroughly — inside, outside, behind, base; mop floor

More techniques in the bathroom hacks post.

Bedrooms (8 tasks per bedroom)

Allow 45 minutes per bedroom.

• [ ] Strip the bed completely; wash sheets, pillowcases, mattress protector, and washable pillows
• [ ] Vacuum the mattress; sprinkle baking soda; let sit 15 minutes; vacuum again
• [ ] Rotate or flip the mattress
• [ ] Move the bed and dressers; vacuum and mop underneath; wipe baseboards
• [ ] Wash or vacuum curtains and blinds
• [ ] Dust top-down: ceiling fan, light fixture, picture frames, headboard, lamps
• [ ] Purge and reorganise the closet — donate anything you have not worn in 12 months
• [ ] Wash windows inside; wipe sill and track

Living areas (10 tasks)

Allow 1.5–2 hours.

• [ ] Vacuum upholstery thoroughly; use the crevice tool inside the frame
• [ ] Lift cushions; vacuum the area beneath; rotate cushions
• [ ] Spot-clean fabric stains; consider professional carpet/upholstery cleaning for set-in marks
• [ ] Dust all surfaces and decor top-down
• [ ] Wipe TV screens with dry microfiber (no liquid sprays); dust electronics
• [ ] Move rugs; vacuum the floor beneath; vacuum both sides of the rug
• [ ] Wash window treatments or vacuum with the brush attachment
• [ ] Dust books and bookshelves — pull a few books off each shelf
• [ ] Clean the fireplace and hearth if applicable
• [ ] Wash throws and decorative pillow covers; wipe baseboards

Home office (6 tasks)

• [ ] Sort and file paperwork; shred old documents
• [ ] Clean the computer screen, keyboard, mouse
• [ ] Dust the desk and shelving; organise cable runs
• [ ] Vacuum the office chair (fabric) or wipe it down (leather/vinyl)
• [ ] Empty and reset desk drawers
• [ ] Wipe down the desk surface and any side tables

Laundry room (5 tasks)

The room that cleans your clothes also needs to be cleaned.

• [ ] Run the washing machine empty with hot water + 1 cup vinegar (HE machines use the "clean machine" cycle)
• [ ] Wipe the door gasket and detergent drawer with vinegar
• [ ] Clean the dryer lint screen with soap; vacuum the lint trap housing; check the dryer vent for blockage (fire safety)
• [ ] Reorganise cleaning supplies; consolidate duplicates
• [ ] Sweep and mop behind the machines if accessible

Whole-house tasks (10 tasks)

Save these for last — they cross every room and benefit from one focused pass.

• [ ] Wash all interior windows; clean window tracks with a small brush
• [ ] Dust every ceiling fan and reverse the direction for summer
• [ ] Replace HVAC filters; vacuum vent covers and return-air grilles
• [ ] Wipe down all door handles, light switches, and outlet covers
• [ ] Dust crown molding, top of door frames, picture rails
• [ ] Replace burned-out bulbs; clean fixtures
• [ ] Test smoke and CO detectors; replace batteries
• [ ] Wash walls in cooking and bathing zones (the rest is annual at most)
• [ ] Vacuum all floors with attachments; spot-treat carpet stains
• [ ] Mop or hand-clean every hard floor

After the reset

A successful spring clean buys you 4–6 months of easier upkeep — if you protect it with a steady weekly rhythm. See the room-by-room frequency guide for the cadence that holds the reset.

If you would rather not spend three weekends on this, book a deep clean and a two-person team handles the same task list in 4–5 hours. Browse vetted professionals, check the FAQ, or read about how it works.