Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home and declutter your space. After months of being cooped up indoors during the colder months, a deep clean can improve air quality, boost mood, and create a healthier living environment. But where do you even start? How do you know you're not missing anything to get the best whole-home clean?

A well-organized spring cleaning checklist ensures every corner of your home gets the attention it deserves. Whether tackling dust bunnies under the couch, sanitizing toys, or scrubbing kitchen surfaces, having a clear plan helps you stay on track and makes the process more manageable.

A structured home cleaning checklist can simplify the process and prevent overwhelm, but even that can feel like an undertaking. Here's how to create the ultimate spring cleaning checklist that works for you:

Identify which areas need the most attention and prioritize accordingly. Write out every room in your home on a sheet of paper to help you visualize the overall scope of your cleaning project.

Tackling one room at a time makes the workload feel more manageable. Look at the list of rooms you created in your plan and think about the tasks you want to get done within each. List those tasks beneath each room as an easy way to keep track of what needs to be done at a minimum.

Take a look at your upcoming schedule. All of this cleaning doesn't happen in a day, and depending on what you have going on, it may not even get done over a single weekend. Your schedule can help determine when you can realistically fit uninterrupted spring cleaning time into your family's calendar. Don't be afraid to spread these tasks over several days or weeks if you need extra time--you're not on anyone's timer but your own!

Incorporate deep cleaning tasks into your weekly or monthly routine to maintain cleanliness year-round. Using the same planning philosophy for spring cleaning, reduce your mental load and keep track of a daily and weekly home cleaning schedule with a checklist. 

Breaking down the cleaning process by room ensures no area is overlooked. Ensure every room in your home gets the attention it needs by including these recommendations for a detailed spring cleaning checklist:

First, let's start with what should be done in every room. Of course, some of these tasks may not be necessary in a given space depending on the floor type or whether there are specific furnishings, so determine which tasks are right for you on a room-by-room basis. Here are the spring cleaning tasks that should be done throughout your home:

• Clean all baseboards by vacuuming with a bristled brush hose attachment to remove dust, then wipe down with a damp microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner.
• Dust surfaces from the top down. Start with ceiling fans, light fixtures, and window casings, then work your way down from the highest shelves to the floor, which you'll eventually take care of with a vacuum (and yes, you'll need to remove any items on the shelves and dust those, too - don't just dust around it!) The S67 Cordless Stick Vacuum is an excellent tool to help dust these oft-forgotten areas, as it includes attachments for above-floor cleaning like curtains, vents, and ceiling fans. It also helps speed up this process because you can shift to vacuuming your floors right after.
• Vacuum all floors, whether carpeted or hard floors, to remove crumbs, dust, and small debris.
• Mop hard surfaces to remove stuck-on messes and sanitize.
• Shampoo the rugs in the room. If the rug or carpet is synthetic and has a waterproof backing, you can deep-clean it with carpet shampoo and a hot-water extraction machine. It will need to be professionally cleaned if it does not have a backing.
• Clean upholstery, such as couches, pillows, and curtains.
• Give windows a thorough cleaning by cleaning the glass, washing window screens, and cleaning and dusting window sills.
• Sanitize high-touch surfaces, such as door handles and light switches.
• Check smoke detectors to ensure they are functional and replace batteries or units as necessary.\
• Change air filters in your HVAC system to improve indoor air quality. If you use any other systems, such as a humidifier or air purifier, change or clean those filters, too.

The kitchen is a high-traffic, high-use zone with unique messes. This area is centered around food preparation and storage, so special attention is necessary. Here are the unique cleaning tasks to perform in your kitchen:

• Wipe down and sanitize countertops, cabinet handles, and sinks.
• Clean out the refrigerator, discard expired items, and wipe shelves.
• Organize the pantry by checking expiration dates and grouping similar items together.
• Deep clean the oven, microwave, and stovetop to remove grease buildup.
• Run the dishwasher with a cleaning agent to remove lingering residue.
• Clean walls, ceilings, and cabinets with a solvent-free degreaser to remove oil and grease buildup (be sure to test the degreaser on a small, hidden area before using it everywhere).
  For kitchens with grouted tile, reseal grout lines to prevent damage and stains.
• Use a handheld vacuum cleaner, such as the Flash Multi-Use Handheld Vacuum, to clean out crumbs and small debris from the bottom of cabinets, corners of the pantry, and other hard-to-reach areas.

Having a clean bedroom promotes better sleep and relaxation. Use this spring cleaning checklist to tidy up your sleeping space and ensure your bedrooms feel like the sanctuaries they should:

• Wash bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, comforters, and mattress covers.
• Clean under the bed and organize stored items.
• Dust furniture, including dressers and nightstands. Use a polisher when clean for a like-new shine.
• Vacuum or steam-clean carpets and rugs throughout the room, including under the bed. Use the Brio Canister Vacuum for powerful and continuous deep cleaning, effectively removing dust and debris.
• Declutter closets by donating unused clothes and reorganizing seasonal attire.
• Wash pillows based on cleaning instructions on the label or replace pillows as necessary. Pillows should be replaced after a maximum use of two years because of their daily use.

Your bathrooms are most exposed to germs and bacteria, which requires thorough sanitization to maintain hygiene. When cleaning your bathroom, ensure you:

• Scrub tiles and grout lines to remove soap scum and mildew. Reseal grout as needed.
• Disinfect sinks, countertops, and high-touch surfaces.
• Deep clean the toilet, shower, tub, and sink.
• Clean mirrors and windows for shine and improved brightness.
• Wash or replace shower curtains, liners, and bath mats.
• Check for leaks or plumbing issues and address them promptly.
• Organize and clean out bathroom closets and cabinets, throwing out any expired medications, cosmetics, and products.

In addition to the usual rooms, your home may have other spaces you want to enjoy or need to use, so organizing and cleaning those will also be beneficial. Here are some other areas to take into consideration as you go through your spring cleaning checklist:

• Organize your workspace by clearing up, filing, or recycling unnecessary paperwork.
• Clean the computer with compressed air, wipe screens with a screen cleaner and microfiber cloth, and santitize the keyboard and mouse. Be careful not to use too much liquid product, as this could damage the computer's components..
• Dust the desk, shelving, and other surfaces.
• Vacuum beneath the desk, paying extra attention to hard-to-reach corners or hidden areas behind file cabinets.

• Deep-clean the washing machine to remove and prevent dirt and grime buildup.
• Clean the dryer vent to prevent fire hazards and improve dryer performance.
• Organize laundry supplies and discard any old products.
• Clear out boxes and storage bins and discard or donate unwanted items.

• Declutter tools, sporting equipment, and toys, selling or donating items you no longer need.
• Sweep the garage floor to remove dust, dirt, debris, and salt from the space
• Wash windows and clear items away to prevent blocking the window for safety and natural light

• Gather non-battery-powered plastic boys, disinfect them with soap and water, or soak them in a diluted vinegar solution.
• Wash stuffed animals and soft toys per tag instructions, or spot clean as necessary.
• Organize the toys and play areas, donating unused toys or those your kids have grown out of.
• Vacuum the floors and follow by mopping the surface or shampooing rugs and carpets.

Despite all the planning, spring cleaning can still feel stressful for some. To make your spring cleaning as stress-free as possible, consider these tips and tricks:

• Always work from top to bottom: Start with dusting high surfaces, then move to furniture and finish with floors.
• Declutter first: Removing unnecessary items before deep cleaning makes the process more efficient. It also helps you reorganize when yo put them back in their places.
• Use natural cleaners: Vinegard, baking soda, and lemon are great alternatives to harsh chemicals, or opt for an organic solution found near chemical cleaners in stores.
• Set a timer. Working in 30-minute intervals with breaks in between keeps you motivated.
• Create a cleaning playlist: Upbeat music can make cleaning feel less like a chore.
• Involve the family: Assign tasks to household members to lighten the load.
• Schedule maintenance tasks: To maintain a well-functioning home year-round, keep up with minor repairs, like fixing leaks or replacing air fitlers. Schedule these with your preferred companies so you don't have to think about them (or wait for an emergency). 

Spring cleaning is more than just tidying up—it’s about creating a healthier, more organized home. By following this deep cleaning checklist, you can ensure that no area is overlooked and that your space feels fresh and inviting. Whether you're using time-saving spring cleaning hacks or incorporating a structured room-by-room cleaning checklist, staying consistent is key. Having the right tools in your arsenal, like one of the excellent vacuums by Simplicity, makes it easier than ever to keep a cleaner home.

Embrace the season of change with a refreshed home and a stress-free clean. Happy spring cleaning!