Spring-Cleaning Checklist 2022 - TODAY

March 29, 2021, 4:32 PM UTC / Updated March 2, 2022, 9:25 PM UTC

By Jen Laskey

After spending more time than ever inside our homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, spring can't come a moment too soon. The season of renewal is upon us, which means it’s time for spring cleaning the clutter, grime and dust bunnies that’ve been breeding inside our homes all year long.

We understand if the extended time at home put a damper on your annual spring cleaning inspiration, but all that time indoors probably means your house is in greater need of TLC than usual. Don’t worry, this spring-cleaning checklist — which include a bunch of time-saving tips — will let you breeze through deep-cleaning your kitchen and bathroom, give tips for organizing your home and even help you tidy up the backyard.

You can quickly download or print our free house cleaning checklists for every room or keep scrolling to find out how to thoroughly clean every room and cross tasks off your spring cleaning checklist.

Click to print! Free spring cleaning checklists

Spring cleaning checklist

Simplify your spring-cleaning routine with this targeted list of tidy-up tasks. You can take our free, printable house cleaning checklist with you as you zip from room to room, hitting all the major spots. Not only will it streamline dusting, vacuuming, washing and polishing, but it’ll help you declutter and re-organize for the new season too.

Kitchen cleaning checklist

The kitchen gets messed up, then cleaned up, multiple times a day, but spring cleaning is the excuse we all need to zero in on deep kitchen cleaning gunky drains, grease-slicked range hoods, the insides of major appliances and the outsides of small ones. This checklist not only shows you how to clean and disinfect the kitchen, it offers numerous ways to clean the kitchen in minutes. Start with a general tidy-up, and then do a deeper dive to thoroughly spring clean the kitchen.

Clean the kitchen sink

Empty drain catch
Pour hot water down the drain
Use cleaner and a pipe-cleaning brush to scrub inside the drain
Use an old toothbrush to scrub the garbage disposal splash guard
Spray faucet and basin with cleaner, wipe down
Replace sponges (or wash in hot, soapy water)
Clean and organize the cabinet under the sink

More on how to clean the kitchen sink, how to clean faucets, how to clean sponges and how to clean the garbage disposal.

Clean the dishwasher

Wash the dishes that are in it
Empty dishes
Clear the drain and any debris at the bottom of the dishwasher
Do a rinse cycle with vinegar and baking soda

Clean the stove and oven

Remove grates, burner caps and reflector pans and wash separately
Spray stovetop and range hood with cleaner and wipe down
Spot-clean as necessary with a baking soda paste
Use an ammonia, dish soap and water solution to clean inside the oven
Remove the range hood fan filter, soak in hot water and dish soap, rinse

More on how to clean the stove top, how to clean the oven and how to clean stainless steel.

Clean the microwave

Place water and vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl
Microwave on high until boiling
Wipe microwave interior down with a damp sponge
Spray and wipe down the exterior

More on how to clean the microwave with vinegar.

Clean the refrigerator and freezer

Clear out the fridge and freezer
Brush out any lingering detritus
Spray shelves, walls and drawers with cleaner and wipe down
Spot-clean any sticky spots
Wipe down the gasket seal on the fridge and freezer doors
Spray and wipe down the exteriors of the fridge and freezer
Clean water and ice dispensers
Wash and refill ice cube trays, return to freezer
Get rid of any expired products (and anything past its prime)
Return food, drinks and condiments to the fridge and freezer
Clean the drip pan under the unit
Use a soft brush and vacuum to clean condenser coils and fan

More on how to clean the refrigerator and how to clean the freezer.

Clean walls and floor

Dust and spot-clean walls, baseboards and moldings
Wipe down backsplash; degrease with cleaner, if necessary
Vacuum the floor to remove dust, dirt and debris
If it’s a hardwood, stone or tile floor, mop with appropriate floor cleaner
Wash area rugs

More on how to clean the kitchen floor, how to mop the floor and how to avoid mistakes cleaning the house.

Clean light switches and plates

Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down light switches and plates
If grimy, wipe down with rubbing alcohol or wash with liquid cleaner (make sure electricity is off first)
Clean the dirt out of crevices with cotton swabs
Replace bulbs, as needed

More on cleaning light switches and light switch plates.

Clean windows and ceiling

Dust and clean window frames and sills
Spray windows with cleaner and wipe or squeegee
Vacuum dust out of corners
Clean ceiling with a dry microfiber mop

Clean counters, shelves, cabinets and drawers

Move appliances, decorative items and anything else covering kitchen surfaces (including tops of cabinets)
Spray and wipe down surfaces (including fronts of cabinets), handles and drawer pulls
Return appliances and decorative items to their places
Tidy any clutter on countertops, in drawers or in the pantry
Reorganize your kitchen junk drawer

More on how to organize cabinets, drawers and the pantry.

Clean small appliances

Coffee maker

Put a paper filter in the coffee machine
Brew a vinegar and water solution
Turn off machine halfway through brewing (for 30 minutes)
Turn on machine and finish brewing
Pour out solution, replace filter and brew clean water a few times
Wipe down the outside of the coffee maker

Keurig

Clean the cold water reservoir, drip tray and pod holder
Descale and replace water filter as necessary
Wipe down the outside of the Keurig

Coffee grinder

Grind bread or raw rice
Empty crumbs and dust with a small brush
Wipe down the outside of the coffee grinder

More on how to clean a coffee maker, how to clean a Keurig, how to clean your coffee grinder, and how to clean a toaster the right way.

Stand mixer

Wipe with a damp microfiber cloth. To remove old or stubborn marks, add some baking soda to the cloth.
Use a dry toothbrush or toothpick to loosen and remove caked-on material.

Blender

Fill the blender halfway with warm water and a few drops of dish soap.
Put the blender on its base and turn it on for 30 seconds.

Clean other kitchen items

Wipe down and spot-clean as necessary:

More on how to clean a knife block, how to clean a wooden block, how to clean pans, how to clean silver and remove tarnish from silver, how to season a cast iron pan and how to clean water bottles.

Bathroom cleaning checklist

Since the bathroom is one of the most-used rooms in the house (and the place where everyone cleans up), it needs more attention than other rooms. You probably do a cursory clean of it every week or so, but your bathroom spring-cleaning efforts should go further to remove soap scum build-up, graying grout, mold and hard water stains too. Before you hop to it, check out these creative tips for how to clean a bathroom fast and how to quickly clean your shower while you shower.

Clean bathroom fan

Check the bathroom fan filter and change, if necessary
Vacuum vents (or clean with a microfiber duster or cloth)
Remove vents and soak in hot, soapy water
Clean any residue with rubbing alcohol
Let covers dry before reinstalling

More on how to clean the covers of your bathroom fan vents.

Clean bathroom sink

Remove any hair or debris from the drain
Pour hot water down the drain
Use cleaner and a pipe-cleaning brush to scrub inside the drain
Clean and organize inside the medicine cabinet
Do the same for the cabinets and drawers under the sink
Disinfect handles and drawer pulls
Spray and wipe down the mirror above the sink
Spray faucet and basin with cleaner, wipe down

More on how to clean the bathroom sink and drain.

Clean toothbrushes

Soak toothbrush bristles in vinegar for 30 minutes, rinse and air-dry
Replace any old toothbrushes
Rinse toothbrush holder in hot water, clean holes with pipe cleaner

More on how to clean your toothbrush and toothbrush holder.

Clean shower

Remove all items from the shower (get rid of any you don’t need or use)
Spray the inside of the shower with cleaner
Wash walls, shower caddy, door (or curtain), floor and drain cover
Use a soft-scrub brush and cleaner to scrub soap scum build-up and grout
Seal grout, if worn out
Clean and descale shower head

More on how to clean your shower, how to get that tile grout white again, how to clean a glass shower door and how to clean a shower curtain.

Clean bathtub

Remove bath products, toys and other items from the tub
Wash any soap scum or mold off containers and bath toys
Toss credit-card-thin bars of soap, old loofahs and dull razors
If your tub is porcelain, use a powder cleaner to scrub away soap scum
For acrylic tubs, try vinegar and water (avoid acetone, bleach and abrasive cleaners)
Scrub the faucet and drain

More on how to clean your bathtub and make it sparkle and how to clean the drain.

Clean toilet

Spray the outside of the toilet with cleaner
Wipe down the tank, handle, base and lid
Wash the seat of your porcelain throne
Sprinkle toilet cleaning solution into the bowl, clean with a brush
Flush
Disinfect the toilet brush holder

More on how to clean the toilet the right way, how to unclog the toilet, how to get rid of bathroom toilet smell, and other cleaning hacks (like how to use Coke to clean a toilet).

Clean windows, walls and ceiling

Dust and clean window frames and sills
Spray windows with cleaner and wipe or squeegee
Vacuum dust out of corners
Wipe down the walls, baseboards and moldings with an all-purpose cleaner, bleach or vinegar solution
Clean ceiling with a dry microfiber mop

Clean floors

Shake out, then launder bathroom rugs
Sweep (or vacuum) the floor
Apply cleaner, then mop

More on how to clean the bathroom floor.

Clean washcloths and bath towels

Collect washcloths from the shower or tub
Remove towels from the bathroom
Launder all washcloths and towels
Add a cup of distilled white vinegar during the final rinse to remove odors

More on how to clean them and how to get the smell out of towels.

Clean hair brushes

Use scissors or a rat tail comb to pull the hair out of the brush
Soak brushes in a solution of warm water and shampoo
Lay brushes with bristles down on a towel, let air-dry

Clean makeup bag and makeup brushes

Assess your makeup bag; if it’s beyond cleaning, toss and replace, otherwise wipe it down or launder it, depending on the material it’s made of
Take stock and toss any products you don’t use (seriously, just get rid of them)
Think about how long you’ve had products; any liquid ones for lips or eyes have shorter lifespans, so toss them
Don’t forget to clean your makeup brushes

More on how to clean your makeup bag and how to clean makeup brushes.

Living room cleaning checklist

Because it’s one of the main gathering spots in your home, you may clean the living room frequently, but how often do you deep clean? We’re talking vacuuming upholstery, washing curtains and blinds and disinfecting grimy light switches and plates. Let this checklist be your guide to spring cleaning the living room. You may also find these house-cleaning tips from cleaners helpful when you’re trying to clean your house quickly.

Clean furniture

Vacuum upholstery on the couch and chairs
Spot-clean any stains
Use a wet vac, if necessary
Clean, polish and touch up wood furniture
Wipe down tables and storage cabinets
Change filter in air purifying device

More on how to clean upholstery and wood furniture cleaning.

Clean television

Use a microfiber cloth to dust the television
Dampen the cloth to wash the TV screen
Disinfect the TV remote control

Clean fireplace

Call the chimney sweep; get chimney inspected and cleaned
Sweep out the fireplace
Take care of any soot removal
Remove decorative items from the mantel
Dust and clean the mantel
Remove any wood you don’t plan to use

Clean walls, ceiling, windows and shelves

Dust and spot-clean walls, baseboards and moldings
Vacuum dust out of corners
Dust and clean ceiling fan
Wipe the pull chain and clean any sconces
Clean ceiling with a dry microfiber mop
Dust and clean window frames and sills
Spray windows with cleaner and wipe or squeegee
Try this cleaning hack to wash the blinds
Clean the drapes
Dust and wipe down shelves (don’t forget the picture frames!)

More on how to clean walls, how to clean a ceiling fan, along with tips for window cleaning.

Clean lamps, light switches and plates

Use the upholstery attachment of your vacuum or a microfiber cloth to clean lamp shades and sconces, or wash them with cleaner if they’re plastic or glass
Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down light switches and plates
If light switches and plates are grimy, wipe them down with rubbing alcohol or wash with liquid cleaner (make sure electricity is off first)
Clean the dirt out of crevices with cotton swabs
Replace bulbs, as needed

More on cleaning light switches and light switch plates.

Clean floors

Vacuum or sweep hardwood floors and laminate floors
Vacuum carpets
Shake out and launder area rugs
Wash floors
Clean baseboards

More on how to vacuum and clean hardwood floors, plus tips for rug cleaning, carpet cleaning and how to use a steam cleaner.

Bedroom cleaning checklist

Your bedroom is a haven of rest and relaxation, but over the last year, it’s done double-duty as a home office (and a refuge from your family). At this point, it’s probably been a little neglected. No problem! Start with your usual daily bedroom tidy-up, toss dirty clothes in the hamper, put away things that have piled up on the dresser, grab a box to gather things that don’t belong here and then use this checklist for deep-cleaning your bedroom like a pro.

Clean bedroom closets

Store winter clothes, shoes and boots
Break out the spring clothes, shoes and sandals
Clear the clutter
Toss, donate or give away things that you don’t love or no longer fit — be ruthless!
Fold and stack t-shirts, light sweaters, jeans and other clothes that don’t need to hang on hangers
Reorganize your shoe rack, so the ones you’ll wear most often will be easy to grab and go
Dust surfaces and vacuum the closet floor
Clean your luggage and organize suitcases and carry-on bags neatly

More on how to clean your closet, how to organize your closet and how to do it in 15 minutes.

Clean dresser

Dust and polish the top of the dresser
Assess each drawer, remove any winter items and get rid of things you don’t like or never wear anymore (goodbye, old socks and undies!)
Neatly fold underwear, socks, shirts and pants

Clear nightstand clutter

Clear off the nightstand and set aside any clutter that needs to go elsewhere
Dust and polish the nightstand
Choose items that should stay on the nightstand — alarm clock, family photo, tissues, water glass and whatever else you need
Get a decorative box to keep on the nightstand; put things like reading glasses, ear plugs, eye mask, lip balm, hair accessories, remotes and chargers in it
Clean nightstand items (be sure to disinfect your glasses while you’re at it)
Shelve books you’re no longer reading, toss old magazines and store current ones in a magazine holder
Sort leftover clutter, throw away anything that’s no longer needed and put away the rest

More on how to organize your nightstand.

Clean jewelry

Dust and polish your jewelry box
Collect any jewelry that’s hanging around elsewhere in your bedroom
Untangle necklaces
Pair up earrings with their partners (or recycle single ones)
If you need more storage, get creative with necklace hangers (or stands) and organizers for rings, earrings, bracelets and pins
Set aside any jewelry you plan to give away or donate
Polish silver and gold jewelry
Clean costume jewelry

More on how to clean jewelry at home and how to organize your jewelry.

Clean ceiling fan

Use a fan blade duster or slip a pillowcase over each blade to remove dust and dirt (then empty and launder the pillowcase)
Use a microfiber cloth and dust-repelling spray to clean fan blades
Wipe the pull chain and clean any sconces
Replace any broken light bulbs

Clean headboard

Use a lint roller or the upholstery attachment of your vacuum to remove dust and dirt from your headboard
Use soap and water or a fabric cleaner to clean a fabric headboard (and stain remover to remove any stains)
If the headboard is wood, polish it with furniture polish

Clean bedding

Remove decorative pillows and throws from bed, set aside or clean as necessary
Strip sheets, pillow cases, blankets and duvet from the bed
Remove the duvet cover from the duvet
Launder bedding and pillows (but don’t put memory foam pillows in the washer)

More on how to wash sheets the right way, how to clean pillows and how to clean a duvet.

Clean mattress

Strip off the bedding and mattress pad
Vacuum the mattress with the upholstery attachment
Spot-clean any stains
Deodorize — sprinkle baking soda on top, leave for an hour, vacuum it up
Rotate or flip the mattress (if flipping, deodorize the other side too)

More on how to clean a mattress and how to wash a mattress pad.

Clean lamps, light switches and plates

Use a the upholstery attachment of your vacuum or a microfiber cloth to clean lamp shades, or wash them with an appropriate cleaner if they’re plastic or glass
Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down light switches and plates
If light switches and plates are grimy, wipe them down with rubbing alcohol or wash with liquid cleaner (make sure electricity is off first)
Clean the dirt out of crevices with cotton swabs
Replace bulbs, as needed

More on cleaning light switches and light switch plates.

Clean walls and floor

Dust and spot-clean walls, baseboards and moldings
Vacuum the floor to remove dust, dirt and debris
If it’s a hardwood, stone or tile floor, mop with appropriate floor cleaner; if it’s carpet, spot-clean or use a carpet stain remover
Wash area rugs

Clean bedroom windows

Dust and clean window frames and sills
Spot-clean windows with a microfiber cloth or a rag and window cleaner
Spray windows with cleaner and wipe or squeegee
Clean dirt and debris from window tracks with an unused paint brush, toothbrush or cotton swab

Laundry room cleaning checklist

Even rooms devoted to cleaning get dirty, so the laundry room should definitely be part of your spring-cleaning agenda. Even if your laundry “room” is more of a closet or an area, the machines themselves need some annual attention. Here’s how to clean your laundry room and run maintenance on your cleaning machines.

Spring Cleaning Checklist - Laundry Cleaning Checklist — TODAY illustration

Clean washing machine

Spray and wipe down the exterior of the washer
Disinfect knobs, dials and buttons
Wash around the door and gasket
Scrub the detergent, fabric softener and bleach dispensers
Clean the washer drum

More on how to clean the washing machine.

Clean dryer

Spray and wipe down the exterior of the dryer
Disinfect knobs, dials and buttons
Clear the lint filter
Check the dryer drum, clean if necessary
Remove lint and other debris from dryer exhaust system and vents
Vacuum or sweep up any lint from behind the dryer

More tips for cleaning the dryer.

Additional laundry room tasks:

Clean any residue off the iron
Organize laundry products and wipe down containers
Recycle empty containers
Empty the lint bin
Sort dirty laundry
Strip wash your sheets
Clean face masks
Vacuum or sweep the floor

More on how to organize your laundry room (or laundry area).

Home office cleaning checklist

Whether you have an actual office in your home or an area you’ve carved out as a makeshift office while you work remotely, the space where you go to get stuff done needs spring cleaning too — especially this year. While COVID-19 is mainly spread through airborne respiratory droplets, we all need to protect ourselves from other germs, too, to help keep our immune systems strong. Spring-cleaning this space will help you avoid contact with surprising office germs — plus it feels good to work in a clean and decluttered environment.

Sort your paperwork: what to keep, what to toss
File “keeper” paperwork; recycle the rest
Use a disinfecting wipe to clean your phone, earbuds, headphones and mouse
While you’re at it, use a wipe to disinfect your wallet, the handle and bottom of your purse, laptop and tote bags
Dust your computer screen and tablet with a microfiber cloth
Shake debris from your computer keyboard, clean with a disinfecting wipe
Remove objects from your desk, spray and wipe it down
Dust any lamps, shelves, framed art or other decorative objects
Wipe down cords
Clear away clutter
Dust ceiling with a dry microfiber mop
Spray windows with cleaner and wipe or squeegee
Clean drapes and blinds
Clean light switches and plates
Vacuum or sweep hardwood floors
Vacuum carpets

More on how to organize your home office and how to clean your smartphone.

Cleaning checklist for the rest of the house

Congratulations on spring cleaning all the main rooms in your house! Since every home is different, here’s a catch-all checklist to help ensure you get every area of your living space disinfected, tidied and freshened up for the new season.

Other Areas Cleaning Checklist — TODAY illustration

Clean for coronavirus and cold and flu germs by disinfecting all commonly used surfaces, especially door knobs and light switches and plates
Get a wall hanger or basket to store face masks by the entryway door
Tidy the shoe rack, coat area and any storage baskets in your foyer
Dust and spot-clean walls, baseboards and moldings
Sweep, vacuum and mop floors and clean carpets, as necessary
Shake out and wash area rugs
Dust ceiling with a dry microfiber mop
Wash windows, sills, curtains and blinds
Clean all your closets, including linen closets and storage closets
Dust and clean the lamps and lighting around your house (replace broken bulbs)
Clean any pet stains and hair
Dust knicknacks, decorative objects and framed art and photos
Clean the humidifier
Clean the attic and basement, organize stored items and check for mold and mildew
If you have small children, get the kids to clean with you, tackle the playroom and kids’ bedrooms together (try this clean-up song for kids)
If you have a cat, clean the litter box (consider getting a self-cleaning litter box)
Neaten up the porch
Clean outside of the house — front yard, backyard and get gutters cleaner
Clean up the driveway and sidewalk

More on how to disinfect common surfaces to prevent cold and flu germs, how to clean a humidifier and how to clean and organize the attic and basement.

Clutter cleaning checklist

Now it’s time for an overall home edit on clutter. Channel your inner Marie Kondo, and start going room by room to seek out any clutter that you might’ve missed during your initial spring-cleaning efforts. Don’t forget about closet clutter or the clutter that accumulates in cabinets and drawers, and other storage areas! Here’s how to streamline decluttering.

Put things away where they belong
Assess sentimental items — do you want or need them?
Separate out things to get rid of, including what things to toss and what to donate
Ease your guilt about letting go of things you don’t want or need
Set up systems for keeping clutter more organized, like storage containers, shelves or hanging organizers
Fight the urge to simply relocate clutter without finding a sensible place for it

Download TODAY's free, printable house cleaning checklist below!

More tips for clearing clutter and spring cleaning during the coronavirus pandemic.

To keep these tips handy, print our complete home-cleaning checklist.

Related video:

This article was originally published on March 29, 2021.

Jen Laskey

Jen Laskey is an award-winning health and lifestyle writer, editor and content strategist based in New York City.