There is something about spring that makes me want to open every window, put on a good playlist and go through every corner of my home with a spring cleaning checklist. It’s like the season gives you permission to reset – not just your space but your mind too.

I’ve been doing my spring clean over the past few weeks, tackling one area at a time so it doesn’t feel like an overwhelming all-day event. And honestly? That’s the secret. You don’t have to do it all in one day. You just have to start somewhere and keep going.

Cleaning genuinely feels like decluttering my mind for me. I put on music, get into a rhythm and somewhere between wiping down the fridge and reorganizing the cabinets I notice my thoughts getting quieter too. There’s something deeply satisfying about a clean space that no scented candle or meditation app can replicate.

This checklist is designed to be simple and room by room so you can work through it at your own pace – whether that’s one room a day, one room a weekend or everything in one big satisfying burst. No overwhelm, just progress.

In a hurry? Skip straight to the checklist below! ⬇️

Before You Start – A Few Things That Will Make This Easier

Spread it out – I go room by room over the course of a week or sometimes multiple weekends if life is busy. One room done well is better than six rooms done halfheartedly.

Put on music or a podcast – This is a non-negotiable for me. A good playlist transforms cleaning from a chore into almost a meditative experience. Make a playlist specifically for cleaning days – it will change your relationship with the whole process.

Have your supplies ready before you start – Nothing kills momentum like stopping mid-clean to search for a product. Get everything out before you begin.

My Two Hero Products:

The Pink Stuff – If you haven’t tried this yet you’re missing out. It’s incredible for removing grease on the stove and any stubborn stains on kitchen counters. A little goes a long way and it works on things I thought were permanently stained. (Always patch test first on any new surface!)

Bar Keeper’s Friend – My go-to for anything stainless steel, especially the sink. It removes water stains, rust marks and general dullness and leaves stainless steel looking brand new. (Again – always patch test first!)

The Spring Cleaning Checklist – Room by Room

I clean in this order : living room and dining area first, then the entryway, office, master bathroom, closet and finally the kitchen on a weekend when I have more time. The kitchen is the room I dread most – I use it every day and over time the nooks and crannies accumulate in ways that require real attention. Saving it for a weekend means I can give it the time it deserves without rushing.

Living Room & Dining Area

The easiest room to start with – a clean living room immediately makes the whole home feel better and gives you momentum for the rest of the clean.

☐ Dust all surfaces — shelves, coffee table, TV stand, picture frames
☐ Wipe down the TV screen with a microfiber cloth
☐ Clean light switches and door handles – these get touched constantly and rarely get cleaned
☐ Vacuum or clean sofa cushions – remove and wash covers if possible
☐ Vacuum under furniture – move the sofa and chairs and get underneath
☐ Clean windows and window sills inside
☐ Wipe down baseboards
☐ Declutter surfaces – remove anything that doesn’t belong and find it a home
☐ Wipe down dining table and chairs
☐ Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans

Entryway

The first thing you and your guests see – worth giving it some love.

☐ Wipe down the front door inside and out
☐ Clean the doormat and replace if needed
☐ Organize shoes – donate anything you haven’t worn in a year
☐ Wipe down any console table or storage furniture
☐ Clean light switches and hooks
☐ Sweep or mop the floor
☐ Declutter any accumulated mail, bags or random items

Office/Workspace

A clean workspace genuinely improves focus and productivity.

☐ Wipe down your desk surface completely
☐ Clean your keyboard, mouse and monitor screen
☐ Declutter desk drawers – throw away old pens, random receipts, anything you don’t need
☐ Organize cables – use ties or a cable box to tame the chaos
☐ Dust shelves and any books or decor
☐ Clean your chair
☐ Go through any paperwork – file, shred or recycle
☐ Wipe down light switches and window sills

Master Bedroom

Your bedroom should feel like a sanctuary – this clean is all about creating calm.

☐ Wash all bedding – sheets, pillowcases, duvet cover
☐ Flip or rotate your mattress
☐ Vacuum the mattress
☐ Dust all surfaces – nightstands, dresser, headboard
☐ Clean mirrors
☐ Wipe down light switches and door handles
☐ Vacuum under the bed
☐ Declutter nightstand drawers
☐ Clean windows and window sills
☐ Wipe down baseboards

Master Bathroom

One of the most satisfying rooms to deep clean – the before and after is always dramatic.

☐ Scrub the toilet – inside, outside, base and behind
☐ Clean the sink and faucet
☐ Scrub the shower or bathtub – pay attention to grout lines and corners
☐ Clean the shower head – soak in white vinegar if there’s limescale buildup
☐ Wipe down all surfaces and shelves
☐ Clean the mirror
☐ Declutter bathroom cabinets – throw away expired products
☐ Wash bath mats
☐ Clean the exhaust fan – this gets dusty and rarely gets attention
☐ Mop the floor
☐ Replace any nearly empty products so you’re stocked up

Closet

The most emotionally taxing part of spring – but most rewarding.

☐ Take everything out and start fresh
☐ Donate anything you haven’t worn in a year – be honest with yourself
☐ Seasonal swap – pack away winter items, bring out spring and summer pieces
☐ Wipe down shelves and hanging rails
☐ Vacuum or sweep the closet floor
☐ Organize by category – all tops together, all bottoms together, etc.
☐ Check shoes – clean, repair or donate as needed
☐ Refold anything that’s gotten messy
☐ Add a closet freshener or sachet

Kitchen

I keep the kitchen for last and give it a full dedicated session. Put on a long playlist, make yourself a coffee and settle in.

☐ Stove and oven – scrub stovetop with The Pink Stuff, clean inside the oven
☐ Sink – scrub with Bar Keepers Friend, clean disposal with ice cubes, salt and half a lemon
☐ Trash Can – rinse, scrub with dish soap, dry completely
☐ Fridge – remove everything, wipe all shelves, check expiry dates, wipe door seals
☐ Cabinets and pantry – remove everything, wipe shelves, check expiry dates, reorganize. Wipe cabinet fronts and handles too.
☐ Countertops – The Pink Stuff for stubborn stains, wipe backsplash
☐ Small appliances – wipe down the microwave inside and out, the coffee machine, toaster, air fryer
☐ Hood and range – degrease the hood filter if you have one
☐ Mop the floor – get into the corners and under appliances if possible

Bonus: Digital Declutter

This one gets skipped in almost every spring cleaning guide but your digital space deserves a reset too:

☐ Delete unused apps from your phone
☐ Clear out your camera roll – back up photos and delete duplicates
☐ Unsubscribe from email lists you never read
☐ Clear your desktop and downloads folder
☐ Organize your files into folders
☐ Delete old notes and reminders
☐ Update passwords on important accounts
☐ Clear browser bookmarks and tabs

How to Actually Follow Through

The biggest reason spring cleaning doesn’t happen is because it feels like too much to do at once. Here’s the system that works for me:

Pick one room per day or per weekend. That’s it. Just one. Finish it completely before moving on. The sense of completion from one fully clean room is more motivating than six half-done rooms.

Habit stack it. Put on your favorite playlist or a podcast before you start – make the music the trigger that tells your brain it’s cleaning time. You’ll actually start looking forward to it.

Have a donate box ready. As you clean keep a box nearby for anything you want to donate. Don’t stop to think too hard about each item – if you haven’t used it in a year and don’t love it, it goes in the box.

Reward yourself. Keep checking things off after each item is done on the spring cleaning checklist. This alone is a dopamine hit for your brain. After each room is done do something that feels like a treat – a good coffee, an episode of your favorite show, a walk outside. Build in the reward and you’ll be more likely to show up for the next room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be an overwhelming event. It can be a slow, intentional reset — one room at a time, at your own pace, with good music playing in the background. And when you’re done, tick it off on your spring cleaning checklist and there is genuinely nothing better than sitting in a clean home with a cup of coffee knowing you did that. 🌿

Follow along on Instagram @the.chic.niche for more lifestyle and home content! Check out some of my other blog posts here!

Want to keep track of all your spring cleaning tasks? My printable habit tracker is perfect for checking off your spring cleaning checklist day by day — grab it on Etsy for just $3.50! [Link to habit tracker →]