Spring means spring cleaning. There are many things you need to deep clean at least once or twice a year, both for health and safety reasons and to preserve the long-term value of your home and furnishings. So here is a checklist to tackle that deep spring clean.

BEDROOMS

– Linens: clean and stow heavy comforters and blankets; swap in spring/summer bedding.
– Under/behind beds and dressers: move and vacuum/dust.
– Mattresses: vacuum, flip, and rotate.
– Carpets/rugs: shampoo and/or steam clean.
– Wood floors: fill scratches/inspect sealant to determine if resealing is needed (typically once every three to five years).
– Light fixtures: remove and dust lamp shades, bases, and cords; remove and clean overhead fixtures.
– Closets: purge, organize, and turn over for spring/summer clothes.
– Picture frames/mirrors: remove and dust, check color contrast to determine if walls need washing.
– Walls: wash or spot clean fingerprints and other marks, inspect paint to decide if repainting or touchups are needed.
– Vent covers: remove and wash or dust.
– Ceiling: inspect to decide if repainting is needed/dust any overhead beams, light fixtures, ceiling fans, etc.
– Window treatments/blinds: remove and clean, including hardware.

BATHROOMS

– Medicine chest/vanity drawers/cabinets: remove all contents, discard overused and expired items (including makeup, toothbrushes, flossers, etc.); clean inside before replacing contents.
– Drains: de-clog and deep clean.
– Grout: inspect and decide whether to clean or re-grout.
– Light fixtures/fans: remove covers and deep clean.
– Walls/ceiling: inspect to decide if cleaning and/or repainting is needed.
– Behind/inside toilet tank and around base/bolts: deep clean.
– Bathmats, shower curtains, curtain liners, and hardware: inspect to determine if any need deep cleaning and/or replacing.

KITCHEN

– Refrigerator/freezer: deep clean as recommended, two to four times per year.
– Garbage disposal/drains: de-clog and deep clean.
– Cupboards: remove all items, discard expired or stale items, wash shelves and all outer surfaces.
– Drawers: remove and organize contents, wash inside and outside surfaces, clean and tighten grimy/loose hardware.
– Food storage: sort, match containers to lids, discard orphan items.
– Small appliances (toaster, coffee maker, mixer, etc.): deep clean.
– Oven/oven racks/stove/drip pans: deep clean as recommended two to four times per year.
– Light fixtures: remove, wash, and replace covers.
– Behind/under refrigerator and other moveable appliances: sweep, dust, and/or vacuum.
– Walls: wash or spot clean fingerprints and other marks; inspect paint to decide if repainting or touchups are needed.
– Backsplashes: deep clean and degrease.
– Vents/fans: deep clean and degrease.

LIVING/FAMILY ROOM

– Window treatments/blinds: remove and clean, including hardware.
– Walls/woodwork: wash or spot clean fingerprints and other marks, inspect to decide if repainting or touchups are needed.
– Carpets/rugs: shampoo and/or steam clean.
– Wood floors: fill scratches/inspect sealant to determine if resealing is needed (typically once every three to five years).
– Light fixtures: remove and dust lamp shades, bases, and cords; remove and clean overhead fixtures.
– Ceiling fans: dust or wash blades and housing.
– Furniture upholstery: remove cushions, vacuum, inspect to decide if professional steam cleaning is needed.
– Behind/underneath TVs, stereo equipment, entertainment consoles: dust, de-tangle/organize cords, disinfect remotes.

LAUNDRY

– Washer: sanitize washer drum, inspect for and clean away mold, mildew, and detergent buildup.
– Dryer: deep clean tumbling drum, remove back and vacuum out all lint-clearing apparatus (as recommended at least two to four times per year).

HOME OFFICE

– Physical papers/filing cabinets: sort, declutter, shred.
– Behind/under desks and other furniture: vacuum or dust.
– Computers/keyboard: dust, clean screens, organize cords.

BASEMENT/GARAGE/ATTIC

– Replace HVAC filters.
– Sweep/vacuum/dust, as these spaces rarely get cleaned.
– Inspect/replace any filters or devices used for controlling moisture.

MISCELLANEOUS

– Fireplaces/wood/pellet stoves: have professionally cleaned.
– HVAC systems/vent work: have professionally serviced.
– Windows: wash inside and out, including sills, frames, and screens.
– Smoke/CO detectors: check batteries and test.
– Linen/other storage closets: purge, organize, and turnover for spring/summer.
– Stairways: deep clean.