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Ultimate 31-Day Spring Cleaning Checklist

The Ultimate 31-Day Spring Cleaning Checklist for a Sparkling Home

This post includes some Amazon.ca links. I get a small percentage if you purchase using my links. 

Spring is in the air, and it’s time to shake off the winter blues by giving your home a thorough cleaning. But instead of overwhelming yourself with a weekend marathon, why not break it down into manageable tasks spread over 31 days? With this comprehensive checklist, you can tackle one small task each day and watch your home transform into a sparkling oasis by the end of the month. Let’s dive in!

31-Day Spring Cleaning Checklist

Day 1: Declutter Your Entryway Start by decluttering your entryway. Clear out shoes, coats, and other items that tend to accumulate near the door. Invest in storage solutions like hooks and baskets to keep things organized and tidy.

Tip: Use a shoe rack or cubbies to prevent shoes from piling up and creating clutter.

Day 2: Deep Clean the Kitchen Appliances Today, focus on deep cleaning your kitchen appliances. Wipe down the refrigerator, microwave, oven, and dishwasher inside and out. Don’t forget to clean the coils behind the fridge and the filter in the dishwasher for optimal performance.

Tip: Use a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub away tough stains and odours. Check out this post for homemade cleaning product ideas.

Day 3: Dust and Polish Furniture Take the time to dust and polish all the furniture in your home. Use a microfiber cloth to trap dust particles and prevent them from spreading around. Polish wooden surfaces with furniture polish to restore their shine.

Tip: Dust from top to bottom to avoid having to clean the same surfaces multiple times.

Day 4: Organize Your Pantry Organize your pantry by sorting through items, checking expiration dates, and throwing away anything past its prime. Invest in storage containers to keep dry goods like flour, sugar, and pasta neatly organized.

Tip: Use clear containers to easily see what’s inside and label them for quick identification.

Day 5: Clean Out Your Closet Spend today cleaning out your closet and getting rid of items you no longer wear or need. Donate gently used clothing to charity or sell it online. Organize your remaining clothes by category (e.g., tops, pants, dresses) for easy access.

Tip: Use slim velvet hangers to maximize closet space and prevent clothes from slipping off.

clothes hanger hanged on clothes rack
Photo by EVG Kowalievska on Pexels.com

Day 6: Scrub Tile Grout Give your bathroom and kitchen a facelift by scrubbing the tile grout. Use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or a commercial grout cleaner to remove dirt and grime. For stubborn stains, use a grout brush or an old toothbrush for precision cleaning.

Tip: Seal grout after cleaning to prevent future staining and discoloration.

Day 7: Wash Windows and Treat Treatments Brighten up your home by washing windows inside and out. Use a solution of water and vinegar or a commercial glass cleaner for streak-free results. Don’t forget to clean window treatments like curtains or blinds to remove dust and allergens.

Tip: Clean windows on a cloudy day to prevent streaking caused by direct sunlight. Check out this post on 20 natural home cleaning and maintenance tips.

Day 8: Deep Clean Carpets and Rugs Today, focus on deep cleaning carpets and rugs to remove embedded dirt and allergens. Rent a carpet cleaner or hire a professional service for thorough results. Spot-clean any stains with a carpet stain remover for a fresh, clean look.

Tip: Place doormats at entryways to trap dirt and prevent it from being tracked onto carpets.

Day 9: Tackle Baseboards and Trim Take the time to dust and wipe down baseboards and trim throughout your home. Use a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust and pet hair. For stubborn dirt and grime, use a mild detergent solution and a sponge or Magic Eraser.

Tip: Work in small sections to prevent missing spots and ensure thorough cleaning.

stack of towels on rack
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Day 10: Clean and Organize Linen Closets Today, focus on cleaning and organizing your linen closets. Fold and stack towels neatly, and discard any old or worn-out linens. Use bins or baskets to corral smaller items like toiletries and cleaning supplies.

Tip: Store sheet sets inside pillowcases to keep them together and organized.

Day 11: Freshen Up Mattresses and Pillows Refresh mattresses and pillows by vacuuming them to remove dust, allergens, and debris. Spot-clean any stains with a mild detergent solution and allow them to air dry completely. Consider flipping or rotating mattresses for even wear and longevity.

Tip: Sprinkle baking soda on mattresses and pillows before vacuuming to neutralize odours.

Day 12: Deep Clean Bathtubs and Showers Today, focus on deep cleaning bathtubs and showers to remove soap scum and mildew buildup. Use a bathroom cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to scrub surfaces thoroughly. Rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth for a sparkling finish.

Tip: Use a squeegee to remove excess water and prevent water spots after showering.

Day 13: Organize Home Office or Workspace Spend today organizing your home office or workspace. Declutter paperwork and file important documents in labelled folders or bins. Invest in desk organizers and storage solutions to keep supplies like pens, paper clips, and cords tidy.

Tip: Set up a designated inbox for incoming mail and paperwork to prevent clutter from piling up.

Day 14: Dust Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures Take the time to dust ceiling fans and light fixtures throughout your home. Use a microfiber duster or an extendable duster to reach high-up areas safely. Wipe down light bulbs and fixtures with a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt.

Tip: Use a pillowcase to cover fan blades when dusting to trap dust and prevent it from falling onto furniture or floors.

Day 15: Deep Clean Oven and Range Hood Today, focus on deep cleaning your oven and range hood to remove baked-on grease and food residue. Use a commercial oven cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub surfaces thoroughly. Remove and clean oven racks separately in warm, soapy water.

Tip: Line the bottom of the oven with aluminum foil or a non-stick oven liner to catch spills and make cleanup easier in the future.

a person cleaning an oven
Photo by Liliana Drew on Pexels.com

Day 16: Polish Silverware and Stainless Steel Take the time to polish silverware and stainless steel appliances and fixtures in your home. Use a commercial metal polish or a homemade solution of vinegar and olive oil to restore shine and remove fingerprints. Buff surfaces with a soft cloth for a brilliant finish.

Tip: Use a microfiber cloth to prevent streaking when polishing stainless steel.

Day 17: Clean and Organize Garage or Storage Space Spend today cleaning and organizing your garage or storage space. Declutter items you no longer need or use, and donate or recycle them if possible. Invest in storage solutions like shelving units and storage bins to keep items off the floor and organized. You can check out this post for methods to clean the garage.

Tip: Install hooks or pegboards to hang tools and equipment for easy access and visibility.

Day 18: Dust and Vacuum Upholstered Furniture Today, focus on dusting and vacuuming upholstered furniture throughout your home. Use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to remove dust, pet hair, and allergens from fabric surfaces. Spot-clean any stains with a fabric cleaner or a mixture of mild detergent and water.

Tip: Rotate cushions and pillows regularly to prevent uneven wear and maintain their shape.

Day 19: Clean and Sanitize Trash Bins Take the time to clean and sanitize trash bins inside and outside your home. Use a mixture of bleach and water or a commercial disinfectant to kill germs and eliminate odours. Rinse bins thoroughly with water and allow them to air dry completely before replacing trash bags.

Tip: Line the bottom of trash bins with newspaper or paper bags to absorb liquids and prevent leaks.

Day 20: Wipe Down Walls and Baseboards Today, focus on wiping down walls and baseboards throughout your home to remove dust, dirt, and fingerprints. Use a mild detergent solution and a sponge or microfiber cloth to scrub surfaces gently. Pay extra attention to high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways.

Tip: Use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove scuff marks and stains from painted walls and baseboards.

crop person cleaning white tile wall with microfiber cloth
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Day 21: Clean and Disinfect Electronics Spend today cleaning and disinfecting electronic devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones. Use electronic wipes or a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water to wipe down surfaces gently. Pay attention to keyboards, touchscreens, and other frequently touched areas.

Tip: Use a can of compressed air to remove dust and debris from hard-to-reach areas like keyboard keys and speaker grills.

Day 22: Deep Clean Washing Machine and Dryer Today, focus on deep cleaning your washing machine and dryer to remove built-up detergent residue and lint. Run a cleaning cycle with hot water and white vinegar or a commercial washing machine cleaner. Remove lint from the dryer vent and lint trap to improve efficiency and prevent fire hazards. You can order this kit to clean your washing machine and this one to deep clean your dryer.

Tip: Leave the washing machine door open between loads to allow air to circulate and prevent mold and mildew growth.

Day 23: Clean and Organize Under Sink Cabinets Spend today cleaning and organizing under sink cabinets in your kitchen and bathrooms. Remove everything from cabinets, wipe down surfaces, and discard expired or unused items. Use bins or baskets to corral cleaning supplies and prevent spills.

Tip: Use a tension rod to hang spray bottles and maximize vertical space under sink cabinets.

Day 24: Dust and Vacuum Curtains and Drapes Today, focus on dusting and vacuuming curtains and drapes throughout your home. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust and pet hair from fabric surfaces. Spot-clean any stains with a fabric cleaner or a mixture of mild detergent and water.

Tip: Check care labels before cleaning curtains and drapes, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best results.

Day 25: Clean and Disinfect Remote Controls and Light Switches Take the time to clean and disinfect remote controls, light switches, and other frequently touched surfaces in your home. Use electronic wipes or a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water to wipe down surfaces thoroughly. Pay attention to buttons and crevices where dirt and germs can accumulate.

Tip: Clean remote controls and light switches regularly to prevent the spread of germs and viruses.

Day 26: Organize Junk Drawers and Miscellaneous Spaces Spend today organizing junk drawers and miscellaneous spaces throughout your home. Sort through items, discard anything you no longer need, and organize the remaining items into categories. Use drawer organizers or small containers to keep items like batteries, pens, and rubber bands neatly contained.

Tip: Empty junk drawers regularly to prevent them from becoming cluttered and overwhelming.

Day 27: Dust and Vacuum Baseboard Heaters and Vents Today, focus on dusting and vacuuming baseboard heaters and vents throughout your home. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust and debris from grates and vents. Wipe down baseboard heaters with a damp cloth to remove dust and pet hair.

Tip: Vacuum vents regularly to improve indoor air quality and prevent dust from circulating throughout your home.

Day 28: Clean and Disinfect Pet Areas Take the time to clean and disinfect pet areas like litter boxes, beds, and feeding bowls. Use a pet-safe cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water to wipe down surfaces thoroughly. Wash pet bedding in hot water with a mild detergent and air dry completely.

Tip: Clean litter boxes daily and replace litter regularly to prevent odours and bacteria buildup.

Day 29: Deep Clean Refrigerator and Freezer Today, focus on deep cleaning your refrigerator and freezer to remove spills, odours, and expired items. Remove all food items, wipe down shelves and drawers with a mild detergent solution, and discard anything past its prime. Vacuum condenser coils behind the fridge to improve efficiency and prevent overheating.

Tip: Place an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odours and keep it smelling fresh.

Day 30: Clean and Sanitize Bath Toys Spend today cleaning and sanitizing bath toys to remove mould, mildew, and bacteria. Soak toys in a mixture of warm water and white vinegar for at least 15 minutes, then scrub with a brush or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and allow toys to air dry completely before returning them to the bath.

rubber duck in bath
Photo by Pătrașcu Bianca on Pexels.com

Tip: Store bath toys in a mesh bag or hanging organizer to allow them to dry completely between uses and prevent mold growth.

Day 31: Final Touches and Maintenance On the final day of your spring cleaning marathon, take the time to do any remaining tasks and perform maintenance checks throughout your home. Replace light bulbs, batteries in smoke detectors, and filters in HVAC systems as needed. Step back and admire your hard work, knowing that your home is now sparkling clean and ready to enjoy!

Tip: Create a cleaning schedule or checklist to help you stay organized and maintain a clean and tidy home throughout the year.

Congratulations on completing the ultimate 31-day spring cleaning checklist! By breaking down tasks into manageable daily goals, you’ve transformed your home into a sparkling oasis of cleanliness and order. Remember to maintain your hard work by implementing regular cleaning routines and staying organized. Here’s to a fresh start and a happy, healthy home!

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This post includes some Amazon.ca links. I get a small percentage if you purchase using my links. 

Aneta Alaei
Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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4 Comments

  1. Janet M
    February 29, 2024 / 10:31 am

    Wow. Such a complete list. I will be happy to get at least half of them accomplished.

  2. February 29, 2024 / 3:12 pm

    It is nice to have a prepared list that you can than adjust to make your own

  3. Ryley
    March 4, 2024 / 6:32 am

    I just bookmarked this list! Thank you awesome spring cleaning checklist.

  4. Ryley
    March 10, 2024 / 10:38 am

    I have already started checking some of these off thanks to your list! 🙂