The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Guide: Effortlessly Refresh Your Home, Room by Room

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The first warm breeze of spring arrives, and suddenly you notice the dust bunnies congregating under the couch, the grimy window screens, the closet stuffed with things you haven’t touched since last March. Spring cleaning looms like a mountain you’re supposed to summit in a single weekend.

Here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to feel that way.

Spring cleaning works best when you approach it as a series of small, manageable tasks rather than one overwhelming marathon. With the right strategy, tools, and mindset, you can transform your space without burning out. This guide breaks down the process into actionable steps, backed by expert advice, so you can tackle deep cleaning at your own pace.

Beyond the satisfaction of a sparkling home, spring cleaning serves a practical health function. Winter months mean sealed windows, recirculated air, and accumulated dust, pet dander, and allergens that settle into every corner of your living space.

Allison Evans, co-founder of Branch Basics, emphasized the importance of ventilation during any deep cleaning session with TODAY.

“When homes are closed up and poorly ventilated, immune stressors like synthetic fragrances, VOCs, and cleaning chemicals can create a low-level ‘chemical soup’ that continuously pollutes the air,” Evans said.

Opening windows and using HEPA filters helps reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can off-gas from cleaning products and accumulated household dust. If you’re sensitive to airborne irritants or simply want cleaner indoor air, prioritizing ventilation and choosing low-VOC cleaning products makes a measurable difference.

Before you grab a mop, start with what’s taking up space.

Vanessa Garcia, a Los Angeles-based Tasker on TaskRabbit, shared her decluttering philosophy with TODAY as well: get rid of those “just in case” items that have been sitting untouched for months or years. That bread maker you used once in 2019? The extra set of sheets for a bed you no longer own? These items create visual and physical clutter while providing zero practical value.

Garcia also warns against a common trap: buying duplicates because you forgot what you already own. When closets and cabinets overflow with disorganized items, it’s easy to purchase another set of measuring cups or a third pair of scissors. Decluttering first means you’ll actually know what you have, saving money and preventing future accumulation.

Having the right supplies on hand prevents mid-cleaning trips to the store. Gather these before you start:

Vacuum with attachments – The crevice tool and upholstery brush matter as much as the main floor head. You’ll need them for baseboards, couch cushions, and tight corners.

Microfiber cloths – These grab dust rather than pushing it around. Keep several on hand so you can switch to a fresh one as they get dirty.

Mop and bucket (or spray mop) – For hard floors, choose whatever system you’ll actually use consistently.

All-purpose cleaner – One good cleaner handles most surfaces. Look for options with lower VOC content if indoor air quality concerns you.

Scrub brush and grout brush – Bathrooms require more elbow grease than a cloth can provide.

Step stool or small ladder – Ceiling fans, high shelves, and light fixtures need attention, too.

Trash bags and donation boxes – Have these ready before you start decluttering, so items leave your home immediately.

Work top-to-bottom in each room. Dust and debris fall downward, so cleaning ceilings before floors means you won’t redo work.

Dust accumulates on surfaces you rarely look at directly. Wipe down ceilings with a dry microfiber cloth on an extension pole, paying attention to corners where cobwebs gather. Walls benefit from a quick wipe, especially in kitchens where grease particles settle and near entryways where hands touch frequently.

Light fixtures and ceiling fans collect a surprising amount of grime. Remove glass covers from fixtures and wash them in warm, soapy water. For ceiling fans, slip an old pillowcase over each blade and pull it off slowly—the dust stays inside the pillowcase instead of floating down onto your furniture.

Work systematically around each room rather than bouncing between spaces. Dust shelves, baseboards, window sills, and furniture surfaces. Move items rather than dusting around them.

For upholstered furniture, remove cushions and vacuum underneath. Beat cushions outdoors if possible—the amount of dust that emerges from a seemingly clean couch can be startling. Vacuum the cushions themselves using the upholstery attachment.

Vacuum all floors thoroughly before mopping hard surfaces. For carpets and area rugs, take them outside and shake them vigorously if size permits. This removes embedded dust that vacuuming alone can miss.

Mop hard floors after vacuuming, working from the far corner of the room toward the door so you don’t walk across wet surfaces.

Window screens filter out insects but also collect pollen, dust, and debris throughout the year. Remove screens and wash them with a soft brush and soapy water, then rinse and let them dry completely before reinstalling.

Wipe window sills and frames, which often accumulate dirt that goes unnoticed behind closed blinds.

Bathrooms require the most intensive scrubbing. Apply cleaner to showers and tubs, let it sit for several minutes to break down soap scum and mineral deposits, then scrub with a brush. Grout lines need extra attention—a small grout brush and some patience make a visible difference.

Clean and disinfect toilets inside and out, including the base and behind the tank where dust settles. Wipe sinks, counters, and mirrors last.

The secret to avoiding next year’s overwhelming spring cleaning session? Small, consistent habits.

Spend ten minutes each evening putting things back in their designated spots. Wipe down bathroom surfaces weekly rather than waiting for buildup. Run the vacuum through high-traffic areas every few days instead of waiting until floors look dirty.

Regular maintenance beats one exhausting annual clean every time. When you stay ahead of accumulation, your home remains a comfortable space rather than a source of stress.

Spring cleaning is about progress, not perfection. If you can only tackle one room this weekend, that’s one room cleaner than before. If decluttering the hall closet takes three sessions spread across two weeks, you’ve still accomplished something meaningful.

A cleaner home supports both peace of mind and physical health. The dust-free surfaces, the organized closets, the sparkling bathroom—these aren’t just aesthetic improvements. They’re investments in how you feel when you walk through your door.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Go at your own pace. Your refreshed space is waiting.