I’ve written many times about how I clean my house with natural cleaners. Now to check off something that’s been on my list for a while: a complete cleaning checklist for the whole house!
Sometimes it’s hard to get the motivation (or time) to take on deep cleaning. However, the one time of year most of us feel like tackling it is when spring finally arrives and the weather warms up.
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to mean complicated systems or cabinets full of cleaning supplies. In fact, the simpler the process, the more likely I am to actually do it (or convince the kids to help!). I like to open the windows for fresh air, turn on the air filter, and tackle one room at a time. Nothing beats the satisfaction of checking items off a list as you go.
Below is the room-by-room checklist I use for deep cleaning the house each spring. You’ll also find the printable version at the bottom.
Cleaning Supplies to Have on Hand
Before getting started, it helps to gather a few simple cleaning supplies so everything is within reach. Most of these are items you may already have around the house.
A Note on Microfiber
I have some old microfiber cloths that I bought when I first started with natural cleaning that I still use. However, if you’re buying supplies, I recommend opting for cotton cloths or re-using old natural fiber clothing as rags. Microfiber is basically plastic and contributes to our plastic pollution problem every time they’re washed.
I’m using mine up since I already have them, but I won’t be buying more. You can read more about microfiber and my thoughts and solutions to the problem here. So whenever you see cleaning cloths or microfiber mentioned below, just keep this in mind.
Basic cleaning supplies:
- Microfiber cloths, cotton cloths, or old T-shirt rags
- Spray bottles of cleaners
- Mop
- Small bucket for soapy water
- Vacuum with attachments
Helpful natural cleaning products:
You don’t need every single cleaner on this list, just pick and choose what works best for you. Basics like baking soda, vinegar, and natural dish soap can tackle most messes!
My Minimalist Natural Cleaning Closet
Confession time: If you ever wonder how I do it all… well, I don’t. Like most busy families, it’s all about priorities and simplifying where possible.
I used to make all my cleaners from scratch, but life with older kids, a business, and a podcast eventually changed that. These days there are so many excellent natural options available that I prefer using a few high-quality products that work for multiple purposes.
Here’s a quick roundup of my current natural cleaning favorites:
With just a handful of supplies, it’s possible to clean almost everything in the house without the harsh chemicals found in many conventional cleaners.
Whole-House Tasks (Start Here)
there are a few cleaning tasks that apply throughout the entire house. Start by opening windows for ventilation and turning on an air filter if you have one. Fresh air makes the whole process feel easier and helps clear out lingering dust and indoor pollutants.
Before diving into deep cleaning, start with a quick tidy-up. Pick up items from the floor, return things to their proper places, and keep a bin nearby for items you want to donate or get rid of. Spring cleaning is the perfect time to declutter as you go.
And if you have kids at home, enlist them! My kids have their own room checklists, and they love the satisfaction of crossing something off the list. Next, work from the top down in each room. This keeps dust from falling onto areas you’ve already cleaned.
Whole-house cleaning checklist:
- Dust from the highest points (door frames, window frames, shelves, etc.)
- Vacuum or dust away cobwebs
- Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Wipe down walls, switch plates, and door frames
- Clean doors and door handles (hydrogen peroxide works well if anyone has been sick)
- Clean baseboards
- Vacuum or sweep all floors
- Mop hard floors
- Move furniture (coffee tables, chairs, etc.) and clean underneath
- Clean windows inside and outside
- Wipe window frames and sills
- Wash blinds, drapes, and window screens
- Clean rugs and decorative pillows
- Vacuum couches and under cushions
- Wax and polish wooden surfaces
After dusting or vacuuming walls, wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove grime, grease, and marks. Kitchens especially tend to collect grease buildup on walls over time. If you have tile in the kitchen or bathroom, spring is also a good time to clean and reseal grout lines, which helps prevent water damage and staining.
Living Room and Living Areas
Living spaces tend to collect the most daily clutter, so I like to start here. Begin by picking up everything on the floors and moving it to the appropriate rooms. Then work from top to bottom, dusting furniture, shelves, and fixtures.
Living room cleaning checklist:
- Open windows or run an air filter for ventilation
- Dust furniture with a damp rag or cloth
- Dust lighting fixtures and fan blades
- Spot clean furniture with baking soda and water or natural all-purpose cleaner
- Clean lamps with cloths. Hydrogen peroxide spray is great for cleaning white lampshades
- Wipe down electronics and screens with a screen safe cleaner
- Wash windows and windowsills
- Wash or wipe down blinds. I like taking them down and washing them in the bathtub with vinegar and water.
- Wipe down walls and switch plates
- Wash throw blankets and pillows
- Vacuum couches and chairs
- Remove couch cushions and vacuum crumbs
- Condition leather furniture if needed
- Sweep, vacuum, or mop floors
If your living room has area rugs or carpet, spring is also a great time to deep clean them. Use your vacuum attachments to reach corners and along baseboards.
Kitchen
The kitchen is often the most used room in the house, which means it benefits from a deep clean at least once a year. Start by clearing off countertops so you can thoroughly clean surfaces. This is also a great opportunity to declutter appliances and store ones you rarely use.
Kitchen cleaning checklist:
- Open windows or run an air filter
- Dust high surfaces, lights, and fans. Use warm, soapy water as needed to tackle kitchen grease.
- Remove everything from countertops and wipe them down
- Wipe down backsplash and walls to remove grease buildup
- Clean the outside of cabinets (use a wood-safe cleaner if needed)
- Wipe down appliances. Use a stainless steel cleaner as needed.
- Clean the stove, stove vent, and replace vent filter
- Deep clean the oven
- Remove food from the fridge and freezer and wipe down inside
- Wipe down the outside of the refrigerator
- Pull out fridge and stove and clean underneath
- Dust refrigerator coils and clean the grate at the front
- Clean out the pantry and wipe shelves
- Clean sink and fixtures
- Deep clean dishwasher by running it empty with vinegar
- Clean garbage disposal
- Hose down the trash can and let it disinfect in the sun
- Sweep and mop the floor
- Clean tile grout if needed
If your kitchen has granite counters, use a granite-safe cleaner rather than vinegar, which can damage the stone over time. You can also find a more detailed kitchen cleaning checklist here.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are another area where deep cleaning makes a big difference. Warm, damp environments can allow mold and mildew to develop if they aren’t cleaned regularly. Just like any other room, be sure to start at the highest surfaces first, like the walls and tops of the door and window frames.
Bathroom cleaning checklist:
- Open windows or run an air filter
- Dust high surfaces, lights, and fan
- Take everything out of cabinets and wipe shelves. Get rid of anything you don’t use, old or expired
- Clean mirrors and windows
- Wipe down counters and sinks
- Clean makeup brushes and replace old makeup
- Scrub shower and tub
- Remove soap scum and hard water buildup in the shower/bath and sink
- Replace or wash the shower liner
- Clean tile and grout, reseal if needed. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide work well for stained grout.
- Deep clean the bathroom fan
- Clean around the outside of the toilet
- Clean the inside of the toilet bowl
- Mop the floor and wipe baseboards
- Restock natural bath supplies
A shower filter can also help reduce mineral buildup, which makes the shower easier to clean over time. If the toilet seat still looks dingy despite cleaning, it might simply be time to replace it. Sometimes that’s the easiest fix!
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are usually simpler to clean but benefit from a seasonal refresh. Start by picking up anything on the floors and clearing surfaces so you can clean more easily. Here’s what I keep in my nightstand for a more relaxed nighttime routine and refreshed morning.
Bedroom cleaning checklist:
- Open windows or run an air filter
- Dust furniture, lights, and fans. Start from the top and work your way down so any falling dirt/dust can be cleaned up.
- Wash sheets, blankets, and bedding
- Wash throw pillows if needed
- Hang pillows or mattress pads in the sun for a few hours to air out.
- Wash pillows in the washer if they can be machine washed
- Vacuum or mop floors
- Clean under the bed
- Wipe down walls and switch plates
- Wipe down doors and handles
- Clean lamps and lampshades
- Wash windows, windowsills, and blinds
- Clean out nightstands and drawers and toss expired items like old lip balm
- Remove clothes from drawers, wipe down drawers, and return clothes. (This may not be the time to start KonMari folding, but I highly recommend checking it out!)
- Refresh linen spray and drawer freshener sachets.
Spring is also a great time to declutter closets and refresh your wardrobe. I like to use this time to simplify clothing and rotate seasonal items. A capsule wardrobe can make getting dressed much easier and keeps closets from becoming overcrowded.
If it’s been several years, evaluate whether the mattress still provides good support. Sometimes a better night’s sleep is just a mattress upgrade away. Here’s one we love.
Laundry Room or Utility Room
The laundry room often becomes a catch-all space for cleaning supplies, storage bins, and random household items. A quick seasonal reset helps keep things organized. I also keep this printable reference sheet for how to naturally treat stains in my laundry room.
Laundry room cleaning checklist:
- Open windows or run an air filter
- Dust lights, shelves, and surfaces
- Remove everything from cabinets and shelves. Declutter and organize what’s left.
- Wipe down shelves and cabinets
- Declutter old cleaning products or expired supplies
- Wipe down washer and dryer
- Deep clean the washing machine
- Wash the dryer lint trap with dish soap to remove buildup
- Clean the dryer vent
- Wipe down walls and baseboards
- Sweep and mop floors
- Organize laundry products and restock as needed
- Replace or refelt wool dryer balls if needed
This is also a good time to evaluate the space and see if better organization would help. Maybe it’s time to add coat hooks in the mudroom, a mat for muddy boots, or a shelf to store laundry supplies that are currently piled on the floor.
Make Spring Cleaning a Family Routine
Deep cleaning the entire house can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down room by room makes it much more manageable. And when you sign up for my VIP newsletter you’ll get my free Deep Cleaning Checklist as a thank you here. I’m also giving you my complete Home Organization Binder printables with blank room cleaning templates to customize.
I like to print out the checklist and slip it into a binder sleeve so it can be reused each year. Turn on a favorite playlist, open the windows, and enjoy the fresh air while you work. By the time you finish, the whole house feels lighter, cleaner, and ready for the new season. Happy spring cleaning!
Did I miss anything on the checklist? I’d love to hear what’s on yours.
