Spring cleaning isn't exactly everyone’s idea of a good time. But there's something genuinely satisfying about starting fresh, especially if it’s been awhile since your last deep clean. After all, it’s not just about sanitation–it’s also about making your space feel calm and comfortable. Here's a room-by-room checklist to make it manageable, plus a few tips to make the whole thing hurt a little less.
Not all cleaners play nicely with all surfaces. What works on your windows will likely wreck your wood furniture, so look for an all-purpose cleaner that's safe across surfaces — countertops, fixtures, and everything in between.
Use bleach and other harsh chemicals sparingly, in well-ventilated spaces, and never flush them down the toilet. (Bleach is highly corrosive, and can damage your plumbing.)
Assign separate sponges to the kitchen and bathroom. It sounds obvious until you're mid-clean and grabbing whatever's closest.
One more thing: clean each room from top to bottom, saving your floors for last. Otherwise you'll be vacuuming twice.
Supplies needed: dust rags, all-surface cleaner, vacuum, mop, dustbuster, glass cleaner, carpet or fabric cleaner, odor eliminator, trash bags
Living room checklist:
The kitchen is usually the hardest room to face, but it’s the most satisfying when it's done.
Supplies needed: all-purpose disinfectant, sponges, paper towels, broom, mop, trash and recycling bags
Kitchen checklist:
Open a window or turn on the fan before you start — cleaning product fumes can be dangerous when inhaled in a small space.
Supplies needed: sponges, paper towels, all-purpose disinfectant, toilet bowl cleaner and brush, toilet drop-in tablets, mop, grout, trash bags
Bathroom checklist:
Get a good night’s rest knowing you’re sleeping in a fresh and clean bedroom.
Supplies needed: all-purpose cleaner, dust rag, vacuum or mop, odor eliminator, laundry basket, trash bags
Bedroom checklist:
Whether you have a dedicated home office, guest room, or just a space where you like to read, it’s time for a spring clean. Supplies needed: dust rag, all-purpose cleaner, paper towels, vacuum or mop, trash bags
Home office checklist:
Easy to overlook, impossible to ignore once you actually look.
Supplies needed: dust rag, cleaner, broom, mop, trash bags
Hallway checklist:
Keep your laundry room or nook looking clean and fresh with a quick clean.
Supplies needed: dust rag, all-purpose cleaner, paper towels, mop, trash bags
Laundry room checklist:
Before tossing anything, ask whether it could have a second life. Selling gives you a little extra cash, while donating keeps things out of the landfill. Many charities will pick up larger items for free. Both options beat hauling bags to the dumpster.
Cleaning is more bearable when there's something in it for you. Set a small reward per room — a snack, a show episode, whatever works — and suddenly you've gamified your way through spring cleaning. It sounds silly, but it works.
Search "household chores" in your app store and you'll find everything from simple to-do lists to full chore-tracking apps with reminders, room categories, and supply lists. Most offer free trials.
If you live with roommates or family, rope them in. Put on a playlist, order food, and turn it into a cleaning day. Shared spaces are everyone's responsibility anyway, and it genuinely goes faster with more hands.
Spring cleaning isn't just about getting rid of things. As you clear space, think about what would actually improve how you use it. Extra closet space is the perfect excuse for better storage bins. An empty corner might finally become the home office setup you've been putting off.
Steam cleaners use pressurized steam to break up dirt and sanitize surfaces without harsh chemicals — and they're surprisingly effective on couches, mattresses, and thick textiles. It's the kind of thing you'll use year-round once you have it.
Some municipalities have scheduled bulk trash days. If yours does, plan your big purge around that date so you're not dragging a broken dresser around your apartment for three weeks waiting for pickup.
Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's offer industrial carpet cleaners, floor cleaners, and shop vacuums to rent by the day. It's far cheaper than buying, and you'll be amazed at what a year's worth of apartment living has left behind in your floors.
Comforters, pillows, and heavy blankets are a lot to ask of an in-unit washer. A laundromat's industrial machines can handle more in one cycle and are sized for bulkier items. If you really want to free up time, find one that offers wash-and-fold service.
If your place needs more than surface-level work — or if allergies or respiratory issues make heavy cleaning difficult — a professional clean might be worth it. Pros have the tools and know-how to get the job done well, and it's a good way to support local businesses.
Before you call it done, run through this quick final checklist:
Now it’s time to celebrate! Your apartment is clean, clutter-free, and everything is exactly where it should be — at least until next spring.
In unit laundry, Granite counters, Pet friendly, Parking, Stainless steel, Walk in closets + more
In unit laundry, Nest technology, Patio / balcony, Dishwasher, Pet friendly, New construction + more
