5 Things You Can Do This Weekend to Be Ready (And Motivated!) for Spring Cleaning

Apartment Therapy Weekend Projects is a guided program designed to help you get the happy, healthy home you’ve always wanted, one weekend at a time. Sign up now for email updates so you never miss a lesson.

Collective action moves me. Being in a crowd of children singing the national anthem before an event at school, or seeing a caravan of trucks going to help people after a hurricane—both can trigger tears. I’d never be so melodramatic as to say that spring cleaning as a collective event moves me in the same way, but knowing that I’m not the only one clearing out the cobwebs definitely galvanizes me into action.

As long days and warm breezes deliver that urge to clear out and start fresh at home, it pays to be prepared. In an effort to be both ready and super motivated for spring cleaning this year, we’re dedicating this first spring weekend to get all your cleaning supplies and tools assembled for the task. After all, nothing kills a good cleaning vibe like having to dig for the ceiling fan duster or realizing your bottle of wood polish is empty!

We have a feeling that spring cleaning this year is going to be easier than ever thanks to all that January decluttering (thank you, Netflix-inspired collective action), and our April spring cleaning program.

Here’s how to make sure you’re completely ready for your cleaning kick-off:

The first step to a successful spring clean is coming up with a plan. Luckily, we’ve already done that for you. Starting Monday, April 1, Apartment Therapy is guiding you through a series of spring cleaning tasks designed to get every inch of your space looking better than ever—covering one specific room or zone each weekday for 20 days total. Read more about what makes this year’s program special, and sign up with your email below.

Once you see what you have and what you know you need to replenish, you can fill in as needed and also cross things off your list that it turns out you already have.

There are lots of ways to clean everything you need to with what you already have, but there are some jobs that get done so much more efficiently and/or thoroughly when you have just the right tools.

For instance, a brush attachment for power drills is a must-have for over 2,000 reviewers on Amazon. People swear by it for scrubbing soap scum and years of grime from tubs and showers (even shower tracks!). It’s also great for scrubbing ovens, stove tops, grout, and even tire rims and hubcaps. We love it because at under $15, it’s affordable, easy to store, and multi-purpose.

Spring cleaning might also be a good time to invest in a carpet and upholstery spot cleaner. A deep cleaning binge is the perfect time to get lingering stains out of area rugs, throw rugs, and your favorite armchair.

In addition to maybe a couple tool purchases that will make you (even more) excited to get started cleaning, be sure all your basics are stocked and at the ready.

Cleaners: Check to make sure your supply of the following will last through a deep clean of the whole house and replenish as necessary:

• Glass cleaner
• All-purpose cleaner
• Scrubbing cleaner
• Floor cleaner
• Specialty cleaners, such as soap scum cleaner, disinfectant spray, wood polish, or disinfecting wipes

Small tools: In addition to some of the more specialized tools mentioned above, make sure you have all your necessary regulars, which may include:

• Magic Erasers
• Rags
• Microfiber cloths
• Dusters
• Detail cleaning brushes (or try this toothbrush hack)
• Mop and bucket
• Vacuum

Once you have everything you need, it’s time to set it up for optimal efficiency. I personally like to store a basic set of cleaning supplies in every bathroom and under the kitchen sink so it’s right where I need it when it’s time for routine cleaning. Everything else gets stored in a closet and pulled out when necessary. But when you’re spring cleaning, using additional supplies you may not use too often, and going from room to room doing some of the same tedious tasks repeatedly (window track cleaning comes to mind), you’ll enjoy having a cleaning caddy to cart everything around.

You can catch up with weekend projects right here. Share your progress with us and others by posting updates and photos on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #atweekendproject.

Remember: This is about improvement, not perfection. Each week you can either choose to work on the assignment we’ve sent you, or tackle another project you’ve been meaning to get to. It’s also completely okay to skip a weekend if you’re busy or not feeling the assignment.