Newsletters

A Floor-to-Ceiling Guide to Spring Cleaning

Theresa Gonzalez
Theresa Gonzalez
Theresa Gonzalez is a San Francisco-based editor, writer and designer. She focuses on minimal, environmental design and DIY, and teaches sewing online at nicolesclasses.com.
updated Jul 16, 2020
comments
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
See More Images
Emily & Stef’s Creative (Image credit: Cathy Pyle)

What I don’t love about the chore of spring cleaning is that once the weather gets nice I want to run outside, not be cooped up at home with rubber gloves and a duster. This month, though, is sort of that sweet spot when I can still justify a day indoors before I start to blow off my apartment for greener, sunnier pastures.

Here, I try to make the process less of a chore with our roundup of best spring-cleaning tips. Take your time, go room by room if you want, and soon enough you’ll have your home prepped for the season.

See More Images
(Image credit: Anne and Rich’s Colorful Urban Cottage)
  • Dust shelves, blinds, vents, moldings, light fixtures
    Anything that collects dust and you usually ignore. Not a fan of dusting? Check out our 10 tips for Dusting to ease the pain.
  • Wash your windows
    Get help with our compendium of window-washing tricks.
  • Clean window treatments
    (Including your shower curtain). Here are our tips for caring for curtains.
  • Flip your mattress
    It’s something you should do every season. You’ll get more use out of it and you’ll sleep better.
  • Change your winter bedding to spring,
    Even if it just means storing woolier blankets away. Here’s some minimalist inspiration.
  • Change your clothes from warm to cool and pack away your seasonal clothes
    You’ll see these unexpected benefits.
  • Donate unwanted clothes
    Try one of these 25 places.
  • Vacuum and shampoo carpets
    (Here’s a green DIY way to do it) and shake rugs/cushions outside. Wax wood floors too.
  • Check your smoke detector batteries
    Here’s all you need to know about smoke detectors. Replace your HVAC air filters too.
  • Clean out your medicine cabinet and makeup bag
    Use our guide to expiration dates in the bathroom.
  • Organize your paperwork
    Here’s some helpful advice.
  • Clean your computer and TV.
  • Clean your deck and furniture (even your indoor/outdoor trash bins)
    Here are 5 tools to make it easier.

Have more ideas or tips? Please share below!

Re-edited from a post originally published March 19, 2013 – DF

Filed in:
Cleaning