Printable Spring Cleaning Checklist {even things you might not have thought of!}

Here is a list of common tasks you might do during Spring cleaning:

Wipe down baseboards, touch up with paint

Clean the windows inside and out. Don’t forget to remove the screens and give them a good hosing down to get rid of all of the dust and dirt!

Wipe down window sills {and retouch or repaint them if necessary}.

Dust/Clean panels and indents on 6-panel (or similar) doors. It’s kind of gross to see what all can accumulate on these!

Vacuum the furniture, especially between couch cushions, using the wand attachment. This task is a little unnerving for me when I reach down there with my hands – I never know what I will find in between the couch cushions! So if I don’t know something is missing, then I figure there is no harm in vacuuming between the cushions instead.

Shine your appliances & fixtures! To me, this is one of the best things you can do to really make your kitchen and bathrooms pop!

Dust wood surfaces and apply wood protector (Endust, Pledge, etc.).

Give tubs and showers a deep, down cleaning. One of my favorite products to use is Scrubbing Bubbles. It is SO easy to get the soap scum off, and without much scrubbing. If necessary, use a razor knife to scrape off places that need a little extra TLC.

Clean the refrigerator. Pull everything out and give the shelves and sides a good cleaning with Windex or other glass cleaner. Make sure you get the sides of the refrigerator too, so everything is sparkling and new feeling. This is a great time to get rid of expired products and produce (eww). When you are putting items back in refrigerator, make sure you keep some order to make finding things easier. While you are in the kitchen and tending to the sink, make sure you rinse the soap bottles. It is pretty disgusting what clings onto the soap bottles {yuck!}, but what a difference it makes. Everything will look clean now!

Dust picture frames and clean glass. All of the framed photos and pictures you have hanging on walls tend to gather loads of dust. Wipe the inside and outside of frames, and carefully clean the glass with Windex or your favorite glass cleaning product.

Wipe down/dust tabletop decor – lamps, bulbs, globes,  and any other tabletop decorations.

Clean artificial plants! The leaves on these tend to get really dusty. Now is a great time to grab a wet rag, a bucket of water, and go to town making the foliage real looking again.

Have the kids clean their rooms. One thing I found that helps when asking a child to clean their room (because it is usually very overwhelming!), is to break it down for them. First have them pick up clothes off the floor and either put them into the laundry hamper if they are dirty OR on the bed if they are clean (otherwise kids tend to chuck them all in the hamper, whether dirty or not). Next, have them pick up all blocks and put them where they go. Or Barbie clothes. Or crayons and books. Breaking it down a bit makes it seem like less daunting of a chore for kids.  This is a great time for them to participate in your annual Spring Cleaning, and hopefully they will carry on these good habits throughout their lives (at least once a year!).

Next up on our Printable Spring Cleaning Checklist are some Spring Cleaning tasks you might not have thought of!

Wipe down/clean wood cabinets with a product like Murphy’s Oil Soap to get all of the grime off, and in preparation for the next step.

Apply Orange Oil to wood cabinets in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, etc.. Not only will they shine and look amazing, but it helps to keep the wood from drying out, making your cabinets last longer. You will be amazed at the difference!

Clean the scuffs/marks off of walls with Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. This is such an easy way to brighten up your home, many times without repainting! If you have marks that won’t come off, touch up with paint. I would die without magic erasers – they are seriously the best thing ever invented!

Wipe down/clean your washer and dryer. Just because we don’t spend loads of time in the laundry room, it just feels good to walk in there and have the appliances shiny.  While you are at it, use a “de-smelling” rinse in the washer, and wipe carefully around the rubber seals. Doing these things will also keep them great looking and in good working condition if you ever want to sell them.

Wash throw rugs. I have two in my kitchen, and it makes a world of difference when they are washed and fluffy. Don’t forget the bathroom mats too – what a difference it makes!

Organize pantry/closets. It seems like I clean mine all the time, but when there are other people in the house, it is very hard to keep things organized the way you like. This is the time to do a mass cleaning/clearing, and then explain your system to the family and encourage them to keep it organized.

Clean the ashes out of the fireplace. If you think you are done with the fireplace/wood burning stove for the season, get them all sparkling clean for your first fire next winter.

Clean glass doors on wood burning stove. This is never a fun project, but it will definitely make a difference.

Take advantage of hooks to organize pantries, closets, etc. I use plastic hooks everywhere I can to keep clutter up and off of the floor.

And last but not least – Outdoor Spring Cleaning:

Clean/fill/buy hummingbird feeder(s). Do hummingbirds visit your house? They are probably really “thirsty” this time of year. It’s a great time to pull out the hummingbird feeders, give them a good washing, and fill with nectar. Or if your feeders are still hanging outside from last year, bring them in an scrub the heck out of them.  If you don’t have hummingbird feeders, why not buy a couple? The birds will thank you!

Hire a chimney sweep (or do it yourself if you have the equipment) to clean the debris from the winter fires. You will be all set and clean when it comes time to make that first cozy fire when the cold season hits again. Not only will you know it is clean, but you will feel safer too.

Get the septic system checked. Add tablets as necessary.

Have the propane tank filled. Though you probably won’t be using as much propane in the Summer, it is still wise to have it full and ready for use.

Spruce up/refresh your garden/planting areas. Get a few six packs of your favorite flowers and plant them now for beautiful summer color. If you have existing plants, go out with your clippers and trim off dead branches, leaves, etc. Adding small red tanbark around the foliage will really make these areas pop too.

Sweep porch

Wipe down front door and metal plates at base

Wash pillow covers from cushions on patio (if removable).

Hose down patio when you are done with the above tasks. It’s a great finishing touch!

I created a condensed Spring Cleaning checklist that is really simple to use. Simply check off items as they are completed. Click below to get the list!

SPRING CLEANING CHECKLIST

I hope you will take advantage of this printable Spring Cleaning Checklistto help your home sparkle! Feel free to pin the above graphic!

If you have any tasks to add to this list, please let me know in the comment section.