Spring in Australia really is a special time. With mild temperatures, beautiful blossoms and chirping birds, it feels like nature is coming back to life. It’s also right after a long, dreary winter – giving us all the more reason to celebrate.
But as the seasons change, so do our cleaning habits. And to prepare for the warmer months ahead, spring cleaning becomes a top priority for many Australians. If you’re unsure what a spring cleaning checklist entails or even where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
This year, we’ve put together a complete spring cleaning checklist, broken down by room. So whether you have a one-bedroom apartment or a five-bedroom house, you’ll know exactly what to do to get your place spick and span for spring.
Entryways
Entry ways unfortunately are overlooked when it comes to deep cleaning. It’s the first and last place guests see when they visit your home, and a dirty or cluttered entryway can make a bad impression. This spring, take the time to give your entryway a good once-over.
These areas are typically smaller, consisting of a few ornaments, a doormat, a coat rack and small hallway. However, entryways can quickly become cluttered and dirty despite their size.
Cleaning products and tools:
- All-purpose cleaner or soapy water
- Vacuum cleaner
- Microfiber cloths
- Squeegee
Spring cleaning your entryway
- Spot clean stains and marks using a damp cloth soaked in soapy water
- Wipe down the walls, skirting boards, door frames and doors
- Dust off any ornaments, excess knick-knacks and doormats
- Thoroughly clean your interior windows and avoid streaks by a squeegee, followed by a good wipedown
- Pick up any shoes, coats and umbrellas lying around and put them away. You may want to organise your coat and shoe rack while you’re at it!
- Dust light fixtures, door handles and locks
- Sweep and vacuum any flooring – including under any rugs or mats
Kitchen
They say the kitchen is the heart of your home. So it deserves the utmost care and attention – especially come springtime! Not only is the room a high-traffic area, but it’s also where we prepare meals. If you’re the type to leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight or forget to wipe down the benches after cooking, your kitchen may need a good house cleaning.
Cleaning products and tools:
- All-purpose cleaner or soapy water
- Vinegar and baking soda (for tougher stains that require pre-treating)
- Microfiber cloths and sponges
- Scourers
- Dishwashing liquid
Spring cleaning your kitchen
- Clean your stovetop, its burners and grates with a 1:2 vinegar and baking soda paste.
- Remove stuck-on food stains and grease from your oven interior
- Dust your rangehood, light fixtures and vents
- Wash down your kitchen cabinets, drawers, benches and splashbacks. If needed, use a 1:1 vinegar and water solution to remove any tough stains or marks.
- Declutter your pantry, fridge and cupboards – getting rid of any expired items
- Sweep and vacuum your floors
- Wash all window coverings
- Deep clean all appliances such as the toaster, kettle and coffee machine – baking soda and dishwashing liquid should do the trick!
- Wipe all surfaces such as the countertops, table and chairs
- Scrub your sink clean and don’t leave any dirty dishes overnight!
Bedrooms
We don’t typically associate bedrooms with dirt and grime. After all, it’s not like we’re eating or cooking there. However, homeowners and, more often, their kids, use bedrooms as a dumping ground for clothes, plastic toys and other bits and pieces. And if you have pets, their hair and fur can quickly build up on surfaces and floors.
Cleaning products and tools:
- Vacuum cleaner with an attachment
- Baking soda
- Microfiber cloths
- Duster
- Air freshener (optional)
- A pet hair remover such as a lint roller or tape
Spring cleaning your bedroom
- Remove and wash all bedding, including sheets, pillow cases and duvets
- Flip and vacuum your mattress to get rid of any dust mites
- Vacuum and mop floors, getting into all the nooks and crannies
- Wipe down surfaces such as bedside tables, dressers and desks
- Declutter your wardrobe, getting rid of any clothes you no longer wear. You could donate these to a local charity or have a garage sale!
- Organise your bedroom by having designated areas for different items such as clothes, shoes, books, toys etc
- Remove all pet hair from surfaces and floors using a lint roller
- Dust off any ceiling fans, light fixtures, baseboards, doors and door frames
- Wash all windows, window sills and window coverings
- Shampoo carpets if dirt, oils and stains have penetrated the fibres
Living room
The living room is a beast when it comes to spring cleaning! You have to contend with all the surfaces, your furniture, TV, entertainment system and any other knick-knacks you may have lying around.
While living room cleaning can be laborious, it’s certainly worthwhile. It’s the area you entertain guests, hang out with your family, relax and unwind after a long day. So you want it to be clean, fresh and welcoming!
Cleaning products and tools:
- Glass cleaner
- Microfiber cloths
- All-purpose cleaner or soapy water
- A polisher for furniture
Spring cleaning your living room
- Declutter by removing all trash items and anything you no longer use, need or want.
- Give your curtains a good shake to dislodge any dust or cobwebs and dust curtain rods. If they’re washable, pop them in the washing machine on a delicate cycle
- Vacuum floors such as your carpets and rugs, paying close attention to any high-traffic areas
- Wipe down all surfaces such as end tables, coffee tables, TV stands etc
- Apply your glass cleaner to all glass surfaces such as windows, tabletops, mirrors and picture frames
- Use mild dish soap and water to clean your furniture and remove dust
- Polish your furniture and restore its former shine – everyone will think you’ve brought in brand new pieces!
- Shampoo carpets if dirt, oils and stains have penetrated the fibres
Laundry room
While dust and grime typically aren’t as evident in the laundry room as in other parts of the house, it’s the mould and mildew you need to watch out for. These can quickly build up inside your washing machine, on your clothesline and in any corners or tight spaces. Regularly leaving clothes inside the washing machine or dryer can also lead to a musty smell.
Cleaning products and tools:
- Distilled white vinegar and baking soda
- Duster and vacuum cleaner
- Sponge or scrub brush
Spring cleaning your laundry room
- Start slowly by dusting and cleaning any shelves, cupboards, surfaces and appliances
- Pour distilled vinegar into your washing machine’s detergent dispenser and run an entire cycle on hot – this will efficiently remove mould or mildew.
- Wipe down all fixtures such as your washing machine, dryer, ironing board etc. and ceiling
- Use a sponge or scrub brush with warm water and detergent to clean your clothesline
- Wash all laundry room rugs or mats
- Tidy and organise up any cords, hoses and cables that could potentially cause trips or falls
- Apply a lint trap to your dryer’s exhaust vent to catch any future build-up of lint
Office
Did you know a cluttered office interferes with our cognitive processes and ability to focus? We use our brain power to try to make sense of the mess rather than focus on the task at hand. This is why keeping a clean, tidy and organised office space is so important.
Besides dust and cluttered surfaces, there’s also the issue of germs. A study found that the average office keyboard has 5 times more bacteria than a toilet seat! This may eventually lead to office-wide sickness, and many missed work days.
Cleaning products and tools:
- Disinfectant wipes or spray
- Glass cleaner
- Duster and vacuum cleaner
- Dedicated spaces to place your most important belongings
Spring cleaning your office
- Disinfect your keyboard, mouse, computer screen speakers and other hardware – these are some of the germiest items in your office!
- Wipe down other surfaces such as your filing cabinets and draws, desks and chairs etc
- Clean your interior windows and any glass surfaces
- Dust light fixtures, picture frames and blinds
- Vacuum or mop your floors
- Organise all items and return them to their proper place – this includes things like paper clips, pens, pencils, staplers etc
If you randomly place items around your office, you’re more likely to lose them. Have dedicated spaces for things such as your keys, documents, wallet, etc., so you know exactly what they are.
For example, you could have a key holder by the door, two trays for employee files and client documents and a box for all your office supplies. You’ll quickly find your office looks more polished, professional and put-together – which is great for impressing clients!
Dining room
Maintaining a hygienic environment in your dining room will prevent the spread of germs and food poisoning. It’s where you eat, after all, so you want to ensure it’s as clean as possible. If you have small children, they’re more likely to touch surfaces and put their hands in their mouths.
Cleaning products and tools:
- All-purpose cleaner
- Sponge or scrub brush
- Microfibre cloth
- Vacuum cleaner
- Anti-bacterial wipes
Spring cleaning your dining room
- Remove all plates, cups, utensils etc. and wash them in hot soapy water
- Disinfect all surfaces using an all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant wipes
- Wipe and clean your dining chairs
- Vacuum or sweep and mop your floors
- Dust light fixtures, picture frames and any other decor that accumulates dust
- Clean your glass surfaces such as your windows and tabletops
Bathrooms
It would be criminal not to do a deep clean of your bathrooms during spring cleaning! They’re one of the dirtiest rooms as they receive high traffic and are heavily prone to moisture. This combination creates the perfect environment for mould, mildew and limescale to thrive. Not to mention, using lipstick, makeup, toothpaste and other products can leave stains on surfaces.
Cleaning products and tools:
- Vinegar and lemon juice
- Baking soda
- All-purpose cleaner or disinfectant wipes
- Scrub brush or sponge
- Toilet brush
- Microfiber cloth
- All-purpose toilet cleaner
- Small brush
Spring cleaning your bathroom
- Remove and organise all items from your cabinets, drawers and surfaces. This includes things like toiletries, towels, cleaning products etc
- Dust and sweep your floors
- Wash all surfaces using an all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant wipes, removing any soap scum, toothpaste stains etc
- Clean your toilets with a toilet brush and toilet cleaner. You can make a paste using baking soda and vinegar for stubborn stains.
- Throw all bath towels and rugs in the wash
- Wash your shower curtain and use hot water and detergent to clean your tub
- Clean soap scum with vinegar, water and a drop of detergent. Scrub with a small brush until the scum is gone and rinse with water
- Remove all limescale with a vinegar and lemon juice solution
- Clean your bathroom tiles and grout. Scrub mould and mildew with a solution made of vinegar, lemon juice and salt. These are typically most common in your tile’s grout lines, under your sinks and bathroom fixtures
Garage
Do garages really need cleaning? After all, it’s almost impossible to avoid tyre marks on the floor, oil stains and cobwebs in the corners. While you probably won’t achieve a showroom finish, a clean garage will make it far easier to find things and prevent injuries.
And if you’re an avid DIYer, you’re probably going to store a lot of dangerous chemicals and tools in your garage. The last thing you need is a loose spanner on your top shelf or a nail sticking out of the wall.
Cleaning products and tools:
- Garden hose or pressure cleaner
- Broom and dust
- Solvent free degreaser
- Stiff brush
Spring cleaning your garage
- Sweep your garage floor and dust all surfaces – this includes the walls, ceiling, doors and windows
- Use a degreaser to remove any oil stains or marks from your floor. If you don’t have a degreaser, you could also use laundry detergent or white vinegar
- Use a pressure cleaner or hose to rinse away treated stains. Alternatively, you can use a stiff brush and bucket of water
- Wash any rugs or mats that you have in your garage
- Organise all tools and equipment, returning them to their correct place
- Use a garden hose to clean garage door stains – avoid your pressure washer as this could damage the door
- Organise all cords, hoses and cables to prevent trips or falls
- Clean plant pots, getting rid of any dead leaves or debris
If you have many items in your garage, investing in some high-quality shelvings or storage units will help tremendously in keeping things organised. Here you can store things like paint cans, pesticides, chemicals and other dangerous items.
Outdoor Areas – Patios, Decks & Gardens
During the springtime, your outdoor areas really come alive. Thus, you’ll want your outdoor areas to be spick and span for hosting spring BBQs to outdoor parties. It impresses guests, makes your home look more inviting, and can even protect your surfaces from rotting or staining. Book our exterior house washing service to rejuvenate the look of your outdoor areas.
Cleaning products and tools:
- Garden hose or pressure cleaner
- Broom and dustpan
- Stiff brush
- Mild detergent
- White vinegar
Spring cleaning your outdoor areas
- Sweep your patio, deck or porch using a broom, removing soil, dead leaves and other debris
- Spot cleaning stubborn stains using detergent and a soft brush to dislodge the dirt
- Use a garden hose or pressure cleaner to rinse away the cleaning solution
- Wipe down and clean any outdoor furniture and equipment i.e. BBQ, garden tools etc
- Check for any wasp nests and remove them – we recommend calling in a professional if you’re not confident doing this yourself
- Clean your exterior windows and any glass surfaces using your preferred window cleaner
- Take out all the trash, including any empty bottles, packaging, cigarette butts and food wrappers
- Remove any dead leaves or debris from your gutters and downpipes
Preparing for your Next Spring Cleaning – Tips and Tricks to Make it Easier
Cleaning will never be easy, but there are ways to lessen the load for your next spring cleaning. So once you’ve done the above, here are some tips and tricks to make it easier for you next time.
Create a cleaning schedule
A cleaning schedule could include daily, weekly or monthly tasks that need to be done to keep your home clean. While daily tasks like making your bed and doing the dishes, weekly tasks might include dusting surfaces and vacuuming carpets.
Invest in good cleaning products and equipment
We’ve outlined a few natural cleaning solutions above, but you might prefer using stronger, chemical cleaners. There’s nothing wrong with this – just ensure they won’t damage your fabrics or surfaces. Furthermore, investing in a good vacuum cleaner, steam mop and microfiber cloths will make your life a lot easier.
Enlist help from family and friends
It never hurts to get a little help from your loved ones. If you have kids, get them involved in the cleaning process too. This can teach them accountability and responsibility from a young age. You can finish your spring cleaning tasks in half the time – and have some fun too.
Set some realistic goals
Don’t try and do everything in one day – it’s a marathon, not a sprint! We know the list in our guide is long, so try to focus on one task at a time. This will help you stay motivated and avoid burning out.
And there you have it – a spring cleaning checklist that covers your entire home!
It always helps to have a plan and some tips to make the process less daunting. So whether you’re decluttering your garage or deep cleaning your living room, we hope this has given you some inspiration for your upcoming spring cleaning!
Spring Cleaning Services in Australia – Trust Calibre Cleanings’s Capable Cleaners
Don’t have the time to complete our spring cleaning checklist but still want your home to be spick and span for spring? Relax, we’ve got you covered. Here at Calibre Cleaning, we provide professional spring cleaning across Australia, from major cities like Sydney and Melbourne to more rural areas. Some other cleaning services we offer are roof cleaning, driveway cleaning, and end of lease cleaning.
Our professional cleaning staff are experienced, efficient and capable – and just as importantly, they are as passionate as you to make your home look its best. Whatever your spring cleaning needs are, our team will work with you to create a tailor-made solution.
Areas we service include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast and more! Get in touch with us today for an obligation-free quote for deep cleaning services in Perth, Melbourne, Gold Coast, and wherever else you are in Australia.