Cleaning & Organizing Cleaning

Our 30-Day Spring Cleaning Checklist Is Here to Save Your Home from Mess

30 Day Spring Cleaning Checklist Calendar

The Spruce / Michela Buttignol

Many people avoid spring cleaning simply because they don't know where to begin. But the process of decluttering and then cleaning a space is pretty easy. Each task can be done quickly; the tough part is getting started.

That’s where this 30-day checklist comes in. This spring cleaning plan outlines a set of tasks to help you declutter and clean every nook and cranny in your home. It will keep you moving from room to room, which goes against traditional advice to work on one room until it's complete before heading to the next.

But with a big project like spring cleaning an entire home, the impulse to quit when you get overwhelmed or bored can be strong. So tackling a few projects each day will ensure that you stay motivated.

Tip

Make a list of projects, tackle them one at a time, and check them off the list when completed so you can see what you've accomplished.

What You Need

Before you get started, prepare some boxes. Here’s what you need:

  • Box 1: Donate/Consign. Anything you want to donate or consign goes into these boxes. If the items won't fit into a box (e.g., a couch), then keep a running list of them.
  • Box 2: Repair. While you’re decluttering and cleaning, you will come across items that need to be mended or repaired. Place these items in a box until you’re ready to get them fixed. Don’t let repairs sidetrack you until you’re done cleaning.
  • Box 3: Put-Away Box. Say you’re cleaning out a drawer in your kitchen and you find a misplaced pair of earrings in it. Don't stop decluttering that drawer to go put your earrings in their proper place. Instead, add them temporarily to a put-away box. Once you’re done with the drawer, take that box and return everything in it to its rightful storage place.

It's also helpful to keep a pen and paper or a running digital list of projects that pop up while you clean that you want to get to eventually, such as organizing old photos. Once you're done with your spring cleaning, then you can make a plan to tackle those projects.

  • 01 of 30

    Day 1: Trap Dust in Every Room

    A person dusts the Estilo Ceiling Fan duster

    The Spruce Home / Henry Wortock

    Getting rid of dust is a good start to a clean house. Use a broom to catch any cobwebs in your kitchen, living room, bedrooms, and bathrooms on the ceilings.

    Then, sweep or vacuum the floors. Dust the undersides of every chair and table in your home, and then vacuum and mop the floors around them. Dust your books and the knick-knacks.

    And if your tools could use a refresh, we did the work for you. We tested and reviewed several great cordless vacuums that we highly recommend.

  • 02 of 30

    Day 2: Take Inventory of Your Clothing

    sweaters neatly folded and stacked

    Julianne Browning / The Spruce

    Since the spring weather is coming, switch out your seasonal clothing. Wash winter gloves, hats, and scarves, and pack them up for next year. If necessary, take your winter coats to the dry cleaner. Remove odd socks from your sock drawer, and either toss them or use them as cleaning rags.

    Go through your dresser, and pull out items of clothing you haven’t worn in a year and have no plans to wear again. Put them in your donation box. Sort through storage boxes and add items to the donate or mend boxes, as needed.

  • 03 of 30

    Day 3: Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet

    Person taking bottle of pills from medicine cabinet
    Comstock / Getty Images

    Check expiration dates on prescription and OTC medicines. Look up local regulations on how to properly dispose of medicines. Organize your emergency supplies. Make sure you're stocked on first aid necessities.

  • 04 of 30

    Day 4: Sort Your Shoes

    Vasagle 5-Tier Shoe Rack displayed on wooden floor with footwear arranged on it

    The Spruce / Henry Wortock

    It's time to sort through your family's shoes. Add any that you want to donate or repair to those respective boxes. Wash your slippers. Clean the floors of your closets, and get rid of any unused storage solutions.

    Continue to 5 of 30 below
  • 05 of 30

    Day 5: Clean Small Kitchen Tools and Appliances

    small kitchen appliances

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena  

    Clean your small appliances and deep clean the coffee maker, following manufacturer instructions. Sort and thoroughly clean kitchen tools, such as can openers, that might not be washed regularly. Replace old kitchen sponges and rubber gloves.

  • 06 of 30

    Day 6: Clean Your Car

    items to clean the interior of a car

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    It may not be part of your house but your car should receive a spring cleaning. Use a vacuum to clean the inside of your car. Declutter while you go.

    Don't neglect cleaning the floor mats. Then, wipe down interior surfaces with a cleaning solution and rag. Wash the outside of your car (or take it to a car wash).

  • 07 of 30

    Day 7: Deep Clean Your Fridge and Cabinets

    Cleaning the interior of the refrigerator

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Thoroughly clean your fridge and freezer by removing all of the food, shelves, racks, and storage containers. Wash each component. Toss any old food. Wash your ice cube trays or bin. Wipe down the sides of the fridge and freezer. Then, put everything back in. If you’re afraid of food spoiling, use a cooler to keep food cold while you work.

    Take everything out of your cabinets, and clean all the surfaces before replacing the items. Check the cabinets for any unexpired food you don't plan to eat that can be donated. Throw out expired or questionable food. Sort and organize dishes and glasses.

  • 08 of 30

    Day 8: Toss Clutter in the Bathroom

    Bathroom counter decorating tips hero

    The Spruce / Jacob Fox

    Declutter and clean your bathroom storage. Take everything out, and clean the backs, sides, and bottoms of the cabinets and drawers. Dispose of any expired bathroom cleaning products. Replace any old, worn toothbrushes and/or razors. Wash or replace your shower curtain liner.

    Continue to 9 of 30 below
  • 09 of 30

    Day 9: Wash Household Linens

    Small linen closet organization

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    Wash your couch covers, pillowcases, and other linens used around the house. Launder the curtains in your living room, dining room, and bedrooms, or take them to a dry cleaner.

    Wash your tea towels and kitchen towels. Toss small rugs, bathroom mats, and bathrobes in the wash. Wash your ironing board cover and organize your linen closet.

  • 10 of 30

    Day 10: Clean Your Electronics

    person cleaning a tv screen

    ​The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Clean your remote controls. Clean your phones, tablets, and keyboards. Dust the screens of televisions and computers. Sort through your old CDs and tapes for items to donate.

  • 11 of 30

    Day 11: Toss Junk and Tend to Houseplants

    Houseplants: Care Guides & Growing Advice

    The Spruce

    Organize your junk drawer to make sure all items in it have a purpose. Get rid of worn pet toys. Tend to your houseplants. Remove dead leaves, toss old cut flowers, etc.

  • 12 of 30

    Day 12: Clean Your Oven

    How to clean an oven rack

    The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

    Deep clean your oven following manufacturer instructions. Clean your cooktop and ventilation hood.

    Continue to 13 of 30 below
  • 13 of 30

    Day 13: Clean Your Windows

    Cleaning windows and walls

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Remove your window screens, and vacuum them using the handheld attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Then, soak them in soapy water before rinsing. Use warm, soapy water and a microfiber cloth to wipe down your windows. Then, spray on vinegar diluted with water, and wipe the windows with a clean microfiber towel to dry them.

    Dust your windowsills and frames, and touch up any chipped paint around the sills.

  • 14 of 30

    Day 14: Toss Old Papers, Magazines, and Newspapers

    Organized paper clutter

    The Spruce / Margot Cavin

    Recycle old magazines, newspapers, and packing materials. Organize old paper or plastic shopping bags that are lying around in one location, so you can reuse them.

    Shred sensitive documents you don't need anymore. Scan important papers, and shred the originals if they don’t need to be saved.

  • 15 of 30

    Day 15: Wash Your Makeup and Hair Brushes

    Soiled makeup brushes spilling out of a bag

    The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

    Deep clean your makeup brushes and hair brushes. Toss any liquid makeup over 3 months old and any powdered makeup over a year old.

  • 16 of 30

    Day 16: Clean Plumbing Drains and Repair Leaks

    Cup of baking soda poured down stinky kitchen drain

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

    Clean every drain in your home using this method: Pour boiling water down the drain, add baking soda, and then add vinegar. Then, cover the drain with a plug for a few minutes.

    Follow with another pour of boiling water. Schedule a plumber for any leaky or otherwise damaged faucets you can't fix yourself.

    Continue to 17 of 30 below
  • 17 of 30

    Day 17: Switch Out Seasonal Decor and Clean the Fireplace

    Dirty open fireplace with cleaning products in front

    The Spruce / Crystal Hughes

    Remove any winter decorations still hanging around, including throw pillows, candle holders, throw blankets, and vases. Switch scented candles, hand soaps, etc. from winter scents to fresh spring ones.

    If you have a fireplace, thoroughly clean it to remove dirt and debris from winter use.

  • 18 of 30

    Day 18: Vacuum Furniture

    Red faux leather upholstery vacuumed with brush attachment

    The Spruce / Cristina Tudor

    Use the handheld hose and upholstery brush to vacuum the upholstery on the couch and chairs. Don't forget to vacuum under the cushions.

    Then, move the couch and any heavy chairs, and clean and vacuum underneath them.

  • 19 of 30

    Day 19: Clean Your Garage and Outdoor Living Spaces

    Person moving boxes in cluttered garage
    PeopleImages / Getty Images

    Declutter your garage, and throw out any unneeded items you haven’t touched since last spring. Sweep your porch, patio, or front steps and clean the concrete or stone.

  • 20 of 30

    Day 20: Clean Out Office Items

    Drawer organizers containing office supplies in closeup

    Fancy/Veer/Corbis / Getty Images

    Go through your desk drawers, and toss broken items, such as dead pens. Collect and keep office items, such as paper clips, all in one place in your home. Take your stash of coins to a coin machine or the bank.

    Continue to 21 of 30 below
  • 21 of 30

    Day 21: Sort Your Mugs and Glasses

    items stored in upper cabinets such as glassware and dishes

    The Spruce / Rachel Vanni 

    Declutter your mugs and glasses. Donate the ones you no longer want, and wash and put away the rest. Wash reusable water bottles and water-filtering pitchers and change the filters.

  • 22 of 30

    Day 22: Organize Bags

    Collection of various handbags on a shelf in closeup
    Mariakray / Getty Images

    Organize your purses, backpacks, briefcases, and suitcases. Declutter what's inside and then clean and store them. Clean out your everyday bag or wallet. Wash and store reusable shopping bags all in one place.

  • 23 of 30

    Day 23: Repair Damaged Clothing, Linens, and Accessories

    Sewing needled and thread repairing ripped seam on king-size comforter

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

    Dig into the repair box and either mend any damaged clothing and household linens yourself or take them to a tailor. Drop off shoes or boots that need repairs to a cobbler

  • 24 of 30

    Day 24: Organize Craft Supplies, Jewelry, and Collections

    Using a jewelry polishing cloth on a pandora bracelet

    The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

    Organize your hobby supplies. This includes crafting supplies, board games, books, or sporting equipment. 

    Clean and polish jewelry and silverware, and curate collections of your favorite objects.

    Continue to 25 of 30 below
  • 25 of 30

    Day 25: Get the Kids Involved in the Cleaning

    child folding laundry

    ​The Spruce / Michelle Becker 

    If you have young children, teach them how to clean something in their room, and make that their chore from now on. Go through your books (including kids’ books), and donate the ones you don't want anymore.

  • 26 of 30

    Day 26: Dust and Vacuum Some More

    Microfiber duster cleaning wooden blinds

    The Spruce / Amelia Ingraham

    There are always places to dust that may not seem obvious. Dust your blinds, and then vacuum the floor around them. Dust around your stairs, and then vacuum them.

    Wipe down your baseboards and other molding where dust tends to collect. Then, vacuum the floor near them.

  • 27 of 30

    Day 27: Clean the Walls

    Microfiber dripping cleaning solution over white bucket to clean walls

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    Wash any interior walls that have marks or stains. Touch-up chipped or discolored paint.

  • 28 of 30

    Day 28: Wash Bed Linens and Clean the Mattress

    Cleaning a mattress top with a vacuum

    The Spruce / Ana Cadena

    Wash your bed linens, including any mattress covers, duvet covers, pillow liners, throw blankets, and throw pillows. Clean and freshen your mattress. If you have a guest room and the bed hasn’t been used in a while, strip the bed down to the mattress and wash all the linens.

    Continue to 29 of 30 below
  • 29 of 30

    Day 29: Sell or Donate Unwanted Items

    Winter hat packed in plastic container to be donated

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

    Did you keep a list of items to sell? Now is the day to take your items to the consignment store or to photograph them to sell online. Take donations to a local charity.

  • 30 of 30

    Day 30: Recycle and Trash Responsibly and Clean Your Trashcans

    Plastic bag removed from trash can before cleaning

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

    Take a trip to the dump to get rid of any large items that are beyond repair. Check your local regulations for how to get rid of other unwanted items, such as old paint. Wash your garbage cans and recycling bins.