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Updated
By Nicki Escudero
Need help deciding what to put on your spring cleaning checklist? We’ve got you covered.
Spring cleaning can be overwhelming. You may be tempted to do everything all at once, but there’s an easier way. From decluttering to deep cleaning, we’ve put together this handy calendar of the most important tasks to put on your spring cleaning list and spaced them out over 30 days. We have also indicated which projects should be left to the spring cleaning pros and which ones you can DIY.
Use this 30-day calendar to get your house sparkling (inside and out) this spring cleaning season.
DIY or hire a pro: Either
Get rid of old clothes and accessories taking up space in your closet. Put winter clothes and accessories in boxes. Then, start re-folding items that will go in the drawers and put items on hangers. You may also want to consider getting new storage containers, racks or cabinets to keep your shoes, clothes and accessories organized.
Related: 6 spring organizing transformations you have to see to believe.
DIY or hire a pro: Either
Before you return the items in your closet, dust and clean your shelves and drawers. Spot-check wall dirt, and sweep or vacuum the floor. Next, come up with a simple system to easily find your items. For example, group your clothing by color or style.
You can DIY this task or hire a pro home organizer who can clear the clutter in frequently used spaces like your closet. They’ll also leave you with tips to stay organized so you’re ready to face each new season clearly and confidently. For example, they may recommend storage containers, new cabinets and other helpful tools to keep your shoes, clothes and accessories organized.
Related: How much does a professional organizer cost?
DIY or hire a pro: DIY
After you’ve attacked the closets, move on to your attic and garage. Get rid of old junk you know you’ll never use again. Take those boxes of winter clothes, and store them in either area. And start taking out things you’ll probably need in the spring, including clothing, outdoor furniture and toys, and more.
DIY or hire a pro: Hire a pro
Once you’ve gotten organized, you may have boxes of old junk and other large objects you need to get rid of. Maybe you realize you don’t need that extra chair in your office. Or the bench in your bedroom takes up unnecessary space.
Depending on where you live, you may not be allowed to simply leave bulk or electronic items at the curb for trash pickup. The good news is you can get rid of bulk materials in one fell swoop when you hire junk removal pros.
Related: How much does junk removal cost?
DIY or hire a pro: Either
When you’re cleaning your home, a top-to-bottom approach works best. That way, any dust that comes from a higher surface can be cleaned as you work. If you start cleaning your floors and then wipe down a dusty ceiling fan, you’ll probably need to re-clean your floors.
So, wipe down the tops of your ceiling fans, as well as hanging light fixtures. Depending on how comfortable you are with heights, you may want to hire a pro for this task. Otherwise, grab a step ladder and a wand duster.
Pro tip: If the fixture is made out of unique material (like metal), you may also want to apply a cleaning product such as polish.
Related: 25 things in your home you (probably) forgot to clean.
DIY or hire a pro: Hire a pro
Scuff marks and dirt build-up on walls can significantly impact the look of your home. You may have a variety of wall surfaces in your home, ranging from painted walls to wallpaper. Hire a house cleaner who can protect your walls’ integrity and get them clean.
If you go the DIY route, you’ll want to avoid ammonia-based products when cleaning your walls because they can strip paint. It’s better to use a mild liquid dish or hand soap, along with soft cloths and rags. After wiping, dusting and vacuuming the walls, use gentle circular motions to wipe them down. Run a dry cloth over the cleaned areas. Remember to wipe down all door handles and light switches, too.
DIY or hire a pro: DIY
If you’re DIY-ing baseboard cleaning, you’ll first want to vacuum or sweep the baseboard surfaces, as well as the crevice between the baseboard and the floor. Then, wipe down the baseboards with a mixture of water, liquid dish soap and vinegar. Use a soft sponge that can scrub off grime without scratching the paint. Dry baseboards with a clean towel to prevent wood damage.
There are probably a lot of baseboards throughout your home. If cleaning them is too tedious and uncomfortable for you (especially if your back hurts when you stoop down), hire a house cleaning service to tackle this spring cleaning task.
DIY or hire a pro: DIY
You don’t want to sneeze during your spring cleaning journey. Use a microfiber cloth to dust easy-to-reach surfaces, so they’re prepped for a deeper clean (if needed). Take a day to wipe down surfaces like bookshelves, lampshades, tables, tops of dressers and desks throughout your home.
DIY or hire a pro: DIY
Go into your living room, bedrooms, home office and den, and just focus on dusting and wiping down your electronic devices. This includes TVs, remote controls, laptop monitors, desktop computers, keyboards, sound systems and more. Use microfiber cloths and cleaning products specifically designed for the appliance you’re dusting.
Related: This is the best way to clean your TV screens.
DIY or hire a pro: DIY
During the rainy, snowy winter months, your entryway may have taken a brutal beating. Spruce it up this spring by doing the following:
DIY or hire a pro: Hire a pro
The kitchen’s one of the most important places in your home to spring clean. Take a full day to clean it properly:
You may be able to DIY this task. But because your kitchen has many appliances that often require special cleaning products, we recommend hiring a house cleaner to speed this up.
Related: How much does house cleaning cost?
DIY or hire a pro: DIY
Open your kitchen drawers and cabinets, pull everything out, and wipe down the shelves and interior. Use a gentle cleanser or mix your own with mild soap and water. Wipe down interiors with a soft rag. Continually rinse and wring the rag, and replace your cleaning solution to ensure everything’s sanitary.
After you’re done cleaning the top of your kitchen, attack the floors. Remove your kitchen mats, sweep up crumbs and dust, and mop your floors. Be sure you follow these cleaning instructions for your specific floor type.
Pro tip: If you’re wiping down stainless steel, be sure you follow these tips to avoid scratching the surface. And if you have marble, granite or concrete kitchen counters, consider hiring a pro to seal them to help protect them from spills and other damage (check your manufacturer’s guidelines first).
Related: What is a deep house cleaning (and do you need one)?
DIY or hire a pro: DIY
Spring cleaning is a great time to move your furniture and vacuum underneath and on top of it. You may be able to do this yourself if you have an extra hand to help you lift heavy furniture. Be careful when pushing furniture to the side; you don’t want to scuff the floors or damage your rugs and carpet.
Use a vacuum attachment to suck up dander, pet hair and dust off your furniture. This is also a good time to wash linens, like pillowcases and couch covers.
DIY or hire a pro: DIY
Similarly to the kitchen, you’ll want to empty all bathroom cabinets and drawers before you wipe them down. But before you begin, pour some cleaner into your toilet. That way, it has time to sit while you tackle other areas in your bathroom.
Toss all your towels and washcloths in the washer. Shake out your bathroom rugs and toss them in the washing machine, too. Sweep up the dust from the rugs before mopping your floors.
DIY or hire a pro: DIY
Deep-clean your shower and tub to help prevent soap scum, mold and mildew from accumulating. Use a soap-scum remover (or a small solution of water and bleach if you notice some mold), and wipe down everything that’s in your shower, including your shampoo bottles, faucets and even your showerhead. If you have glass doors in your shower, use a non-streaking, non-abrasive cleaner.
DIY or hire a pro: Hire a pro
If you have tile and grout in your home, it’s probably in a hard-surface floored area like the bathroom. Your home may have other tiled areas with grout (showers, counters, walls, etc.), which should be deep cleaned at least a few times a year.
A professional tile and grout cleaner can get these areas clean without damaging the surface. Grout cleaning requires special tools, like a grout brush or toothbrush, to remove any stains. You’ll also want them to apply grout sealer around every six months to prevent future stains.
Related: How to clean grout in your floors, showers and more.
DIY or hire a pro: Hire a pro
There’s nothing like the feeling of a deeply cleaned rug or carpet under your toes. While regular vacuuming can help you remove dust and hair, a professional rug and carpet cleaning can remove stains and odors.
Hire a professional who can steam clean or shampoo your carpet. Start searching for a carpet cleaning service near you today, and request free cost estimates.
Related: How much does carpet cleaning cost?
DIY or hire a pro: DIY
It’s no surprise that window screens are among the dirtiest surfaces in our homes. They prevent dirt from entering your home, so it’s likely your window sills and the screens themselves need to be cleaned this spring.
If you can, remove the screens from the windows. Vacuum them, then use soapy water to wipe them down. Use a dry towel on the screens, or let them air dry before reinstalling them.
In the meantime, wipe down your window sills with soapy water. If your window sills are painted, use a gentle cleaner to avoid wiping off any paint.
DIY or hire a pro: Hire a pro
Indoor window cleaning is another task that you might be OK with DIY-ing, but we recommend leaving it to the window cleaning pros. Large, tall or plentiful windows can make this a time-intensive task that requires a ladder. If you’re not comfortable, hire a pro to get the job done.
If you’re cleaning the windows yourself, use glass cleaner or add a combination of white vinegar, dish soap and warm water to a spray bottle. Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the surfaces.
Related: How much does window cleaning cost?
DIY or hire a pro: Either
Your window glass, screens and sills aren’t the only things that can get dirty. Blinds, drapes and curtains can attract dirt and grime, too.
Cleaning your blinds is a fairly simple task. Just grab a cloth or duster, and wipe them down. Washing your curtains and drapes can be more complicated and time-consuming. Whether you choose to DIY or hire a pro, you’ll first want to vacuum these materials, then remove them and wash them.
Depending on how high the drapes and curtains are located, you may be more comfortable having a professional drapery and upholstery cleaner take care of this task — especially if a ladder is required.
DIY or hire a pro: Hire a pro
Cleaning exterior windows from the outside will likely be a more intensive process, especially if you have windows on multiple stories. Hire a professional window cleaning service for this spring cleaning task.
DIY or hire a pro: Either
Sitting outside during the spring is relaxing, but not if your furniture is dirty or crawling with bugs. If you placed covers over your furniture during the winter, they may have become damaged or dirty due to moisture, rain, snow and other outdoor hazards.
For hard furniture like metal, wicker and plastic, use a warm and gentle soap solution. For furniture cushions, beat them to disperse dust. Then, remove the covers and wash them.
If a pressure washer is needed to blast away the grime, consider hiring a pro for this task. You may also want to hire a pro if your furniture needs to be repainted or repaired.
Related: How much does pressure washing cost?
DIY or hire a pro: Either
Depending on where you live, you might want to start taking a dip in your pool during the spring. Typically, it’s recommended that you open your pool when the “temperature stays consistently above 70 degrees.” So if you decide to use your pool this spring, keep it algae- and pollen-free with regular cleanings.
You can DIY this task. However, a professional pool cleaner can service your filters, monitor your water’s pH levels and identify anything that’s broken. It’s also a good idea to get your pool regularly inspected.
Related: How much do pool cleaning services cost?
DIY or hire a pro: Hire a pro
Spraying water at high pressure can quickly and effectively clean your outdoor surfaces. But unless you have power washer equipment and are confident in using it, we recommend hiring a power washing professional. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you may hurt yourself and damage your wood and paint.
Power washing can remove stains on outdoor surfaces, as well as eliminate dirt and grime build-up to reveal a newer-looking exterior. You can use it on walkways, driveways, concrete and siding. Just be careful you don’t use too much pressure on some surfaces — too much could cause your paint to peel off.
Pro tip: Speaking of paint, spring may be a great time to give your home’s exterior a touch-up or a completely new paint job. That’s because the rainy season may have passed and the temperatures aren’t boiling. Generally, the best time to paint is when it’s at least 50 degrees outside and temperatures won’t dip below 32 degrees at night for several days after.
DIY or hire a pro: DIY
Before you start your spring lawn care routine or begin planning your next big landscaping project, clean up your yard. Pick up dead leaves, fallen branches and any other debris that may have fallen onto your grass. Grab a hose to rinse down the patio, deck, fence or outdoor play equipment.
Yep, that’s right – you should wash your washing machine from time to time to eliminate odors and keep it working efficiently. You can follow these steps, but also review your manufacturer's guidelines for specific instructions.
Related: How to clean a washing machine.
DIY or hire a pro: Hire a pro
Make sure your plumbing is in great working condition. Inspect all of the drains in your kitchen, bathroom and yard. Clear them out if you suspect there’s a clog. For minor stoppages, you could try to use a drain removal solution, but bigger jobs call for a professional plumber.
Pro tip: Freezing temperatures during the winter may have damaged your pipes, so check for signs of leaks in and outside your home.
Related: How much do plumbers charge?
DIY or hire a pro: DIY
Your trash cans are bound to get dirty over time. Remove germs and eliminate odors by cleaning them. Take all cans and bins outside to hose them off, and scrub them with a soapy water solution.
DIY or hire a pro: DIY
Once you’ve finished your spring cleaning tasks, don't forget to also clean your rags, microfiber cloths, sponges, brushes, buckets and all of the other tools you used.
There are many natural ways you can sanitize your sponge. For example, you can soak them in vinegar or a bleach and water solution for a few minutes. But if they’re beyond repair, just throw them away.
DIY or hire a pro: Either
Spring cleaning is a great time to not only spruce up your home but also to complete small repairs that dirt, clutter and junk may have been hiding.
Now that you have a clearer canvas, inspect your walls, flooring, appliances, furniture, etc., for issues. Spot a few? Bring out your toolbox or paintbrushes, or hire a handyperson who can quickly fix it.
Related: What is the average hourly rate for a handyman?
Ready to start checking off items on this spring cleaning calendar? You can get price estimates and book spring cleaning services near you on Thumbtack. Sign up and download the app today.
Next up: How to hire a housekeeper, house cleaning or maid service.
A note about project costs included or linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.
Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll show you pros right for the job, with prices.