Spring Cleaning Checklist

Before You Start

Gather supplies in a caddy:

• White vinegar spray (1:1 with water)
• Baking soda
• Castile soap
• Microfiber cloths (6-8)
• Scrub brush
• Mop bucket
• Essential oils (optional)

Work top to bottom in every room. Dust ceilings and fixtures first, then shelves, then floors. Gravity moves debris downward onto surfaces you haven’t cleaned yet.

Kitchen

• Appliances: Pull the fridge out and vacuum condenser coils. Clean shelves with baking soda paste (2 tbsp per quart). Microwave: heat 1 cup vinegar for 3 minutes, let sit 5 minutes with the door closed, then wipe.
• Cabinets: Wipe exteriors with castile soap solution (1 tsp per quart). Focus above the stove where grease builds up.
• Sink and drain: Scrub the sink with baking soda. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda then 1 cup vinegar down the drain, fizz 15 minutes, flush with boiling water.
• Floors: Sweep, then mop with 1/4 cup vinegar per gallon of warm water.

Bathrooms

• Tile and grout: Baking soda paste on grout, spray vinegar, scrub after it fizzes.
• Toilet: 1 cup vinegar in the bowl for 30 minutes, then scrub. Baking soda around the rim for extra abrasion.
• Shower head: Bag of vinegar tied around the nozzle overnight dissolves mineral deposits.
• Exhaust fan: Remove cover, wash in warm soapy water, vacuum fan blades.

Bedrooms

• Mattress: Strip the bed, sprinkle baking soda over the surface, wait 30-60 minutes, vacuum thoroughly.
• Pillows: Most synthetic pillows can be machine-washed on gentle with a tablespoon of castile soap. Dry completely.
• Under the bed: Pull everything out, vacuum, wipe down storage containers.

Living Areas

• Upholstery: Remove cushions, vacuum crevices. Baking soda on fabric for 15 minutes, then vacuum.
• Windows: 1:1 vinegar and water spray with a lint-free cloth. Clean tracks with a damp cloth around a butter knife.
• Baseboards and vents: Wipe baseboards with damp microfiber. Remove vent covers, wash in soapy water, vacuum duct openings.
• Light fixtures: Remove glass globes and wash by hand. Dust cool bulbs with a dry cloth.

Do Not Skip These

1. Replace or clean HVAC filters. A clogged filter recirculates dust and strains the system.
2. Wash curtains and blinds. Machine-wash curtains on gentle. Wipe each blind slat individually.
3. Clean behind and under appliances. Behind the stove and under the dishwasher collect grease, crumbs, and moisture that attract pests.

Pace Yourself

Spread the work across two to three weekends, one or two rooms at a time.