Spring Cleaning: A Fresh Start for Your Home
Spring cleaning is one of those phrases almost everyone recognizes, even if we don’t all approach it the same way. For some, it’s a deep clean of every corner. For others, it’s a reset; clearing out what no longer works and refreshing the spaces we use every day.
At its core, spring cleaning is about care: for your home, your routines, and the tools you rely on. Done thoughtfully, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or wasteful. It can be practical, grounding, and even satisfying.
This guide walks through why spring cleaning exists, what it includes today, and how to do spring cleaning in a way that feels manageable and intentional.
We provide a downloadable spring cleaning house checklist (pdf) below.
Why Is It Called Spring Cleaning?
The idea of spring cleaning dates back centuries and is closely tied to seasonal rhythms. Historically, homes were heated with coal or wood during winter, leaving behind soot, ash, and grime. When spring arrived, longer daylight hours and warmer weather made it practical to open windows, air out homes, and thoroughly clean what had accumulated during the colder months.
There’s also an agricultural connection. Spring marked renewal—new growth, new cycles, and preparation for the months ahead. Cleaning the home mirrored that sense of readiness and reset.
In a modern context, spring cleaning still serves a similar purpose. Even without coal stoves, winter often brings heavier routines, closed windows, and clutter that slowly builds up. Spring cleaning becomes a natural pause point. It's a chance to reassess how our spaces are functioning and make small improvements that support daily life. This may include using more eco-friendly products in our cleaning routines, like this Swedish dishcloth.
What Is Included in Spring Cleaning Today?
Spring cleaning is about resetting your home so you can enjoy intentional maintenance throughout the year. It typically includes two connected components:
1. Cleaning What You Use Every Day
This focuses on areas and items that quietly collect grime over time:
- Kitchen tools and the edges of food prep spaces that get ignored
- Frequently touched surfaces like door handles
- Floors, baseboards, and corners
- Dusting shelves, window sills, and light fixtures
This is often when people discover they’ve accumulated too many disposable or half-used cleaning tools. It's also an opportunity to replace paper-heavy habits with washable options—like fabric paper towels or reusable dish cloths, which can simplify both cleaning and storage long term and save you money.
UNpaper® Towels - Organic Cotton Flannel Reusable Cloths (Natural) by Marley’s Monsters
2. Light Decluttering
Spring cleaning usually includes a basic round of decluttering, though it doesn’t have to be exhaustive. The goal doesn't have to be minimalism— it’s functionality.
This might mean:
- Letting go of items that no longer work (and can't be fixed)
- Selling things that take up space but don't offer value
- Donating duplicates that are underused
You can also take this time to find solutions to clutter problems. For example, if you’ve lost lids for food storage containers over time, spring cleaning is a natural moment to reset with flexible, reusable bowl covers instead of buying replacement storage pieces that only fit one item.
(If you want to go deeper into decluttering philosophy and decision-making, that’s best handled separately.)
Shown above:
Bowl Covers - Set of 3 - Geo Foxes on Gray by Semi-Sustainable Goods
How to Do Spring Cleaning (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
The most effective way to approach spring cleaning is room by room, focusing only on the spaces you use regularly. Ignoring spaces such as attics and garages keeps the process realistic and prevents burnout.
Before you Begin, Start with a Simple Reset
Before deep cleaning, do a quick pass:
- Put obvious items back where they belong
- Gather things that you already know need to be donated or recycled and remove them from the space
- Toss worn-out or unusable cleaning tools and supplies
This step alone often creates visible progress, which makes the rest easier.
Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Guide
Kitchen
The kitchen tends to collect both clutter and residue.
Focus on:
- Wiping cabinet fronts, shelves, and handles
- Cleaning sinks, countertops, and the refrigerator thoroughly
- Checking drawers for duplicates or worn tools
Spring cleaning is a good time to swap disposable sponges for longer-lasting knit scrubbers and to replace single-use paper towels with washable fabric versions that store neatly and reduce waste.
Shown above:
Scrubbies - Set of 2 with Wooden Dish (Olive) by Dot and Army
Bathroom
Bathrooms benefit from both cleaning and simplification.
Include:
- Deep cleaning sink, tub, toilet, and fixtures
- Sanitizing door and cupboard handles
- Clearing out empty or expired products
- Dusting and washing baseboards, especially behind the toilet
Living Room
Living spaces collect dust quietly over time.
Spring cleaning here includes:
- Dusting shelves, picture frames, and lamps
- Cleaning side tables and commonly touched surfaces
- Washing throws or cushion covers if needed
Reusable dish cloths like the Swedish dishcloth are especially helpful in these spaces for quick wipe-downs without needing multiple disposable products.
Using an organic cotton duster makes quick dusting easier year-round, which reduces buildup between cleanings.
Shown above:
Duster - Washable Organic Cotton Fleece (Teal) by Marley’s Monsters
Bedroom
Bedrooms benefit from calm, uncluttered surfaces.
Focus on:
- Washing bedding and mattress covers
- Dusting nightstands and dressers
- Clearing items that have accumulated without purpose
- Cleaning floors and rugs
Spring cleaning in bedrooms is less about deep scrubbing and more about restoring a restful environment.
Entryway
The entryway sets the tone for the home.
Consider:
- Cleaning floors and door handles
- Clearing excess items from drop zones
- Resetting storage so it works for daily routines
A More Thoughtful Approach to Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to mean buying more or doing everything at once. It’s an opportunity to notice patterns:
- Which tools actually get used
- Where disposables create unnecessary clutter
- What small upgrades could simplify daily routines
Choosing fewer, reusable, well-made tools often makes cleaning easier over time—and helps keep clutter from returning as quickly.
Done thoughtfully, spring cleaning becomes less of a chore and more of a reset you can build on all year.
Here's a downloadable checklist for spring cleaning your home.