The Complete Spring Cleaning Checklist (2026)
Spring cleaning is the once-a-year reset that hits everything routine cleaning skips — the built-up grime on baseboards, inside appliances, and the corners you never get to. Work top-to-bottom and one room at a time so dust falls onto surfaces you haven't cleaned yet. Here's the complete room-by-room checklist.
Whole-home tasks
- Dust from the top down: ceiling fans, light fixtures, crown molding, and the tops of cabinets and doorframes
- Wipe walls, switch plates, and baseboards
- Clean interior windows, sills, and tracks; launder or vacuum curtains and blinds
- Vacuum under and behind furniture; flip or rotate mattresses
- Wash bedding, throws, and washable rugs
- Replace HVAC filters and vacuum vents and registers
- Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors and replace batteries
Kitchen
- Clean inside the oven, refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and dishwasher
- Degrease the range hood, filter, and backsplash
- Wipe inside and outside of every cabinet and drawer; toss expired food and pantry items
- Descale the coffee maker and kettle; clean the sink and disposal
- Pull out and clean behind and under the fridge and stove
Bathrooms
- Descale showerheads, faucets, and glass; scrub grout and re-caulk if needed
- Wash shower curtains and liners; clean inside vanities and medicine cabinets
- Wash rugs and mats; disinfect toilet, tub, and sink
- Declutter and wipe drawers; check and toss expired products
Bedrooms & closets
- Rotate seasonal clothing; donate what you didn't wear
- Wipe shelves and drawers; vacuum closet floors
- Dust headboards, lamps, and electronics
Living & entry areas
- Vacuum upholstery and under cushions; spot-clean the sofa
- Dust electronics, shelves, and decor
- Clean the entry: mats, shoe area, and door glass
What's worth handing to a pro
A few spring tasks pay to outsource: professional carpet cleaning (annually, or twice a year with pets), window cleaning for upper stories, and a full deep clean if the whole list feels like too much at once. Many people book a pro deep clean in spring, then maintain it themselves the rest of the year. You can compare local cleaning services to book a spring deep clean or add on carpets and windows.
Frequently asked questions
What should be included in spring cleaning?
The once-a-year tasks routine cleaning skips: inside appliances, baseboards, walls, windows and tracks, under and behind furniture, vents and filters, grout, and decluttering closets and the pantry.
In what order should I spring clean?
Top to bottom and one room at a time, so dust settles onto surfaces you haven't cleaned yet, and you're not re-cleaning floors. Start with whole-home dusting, then kitchen and bathrooms, then bedrooms and living areas.
How much does a spring deep clean cost?
A professional deep clean runs about $180 to $400+ for a typical home depending on size and condition — often paired with annual carpet and window cleaning.