I’ve written several times about how to clean your home with natural cleaners. Now let me check off something that has been on my list for a while. Here’s a complete cleaning checklist for your entire home!
Sometimes it’s hard to get the motivation (or time) to take on a thorough cleaning. But the time of year when most of us want to tackle this problem 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 my kids to help!). I like to open the windows to get some fresh air, turn on the air filters, and clean one room at a time. There’s nothing more satisfying than checking things off a list as you go.
Below is a room-by-room checklist that I use every spring when I deep clean my house. You can also find a printable version at the bottom.
Cleaning supplies to prepare
Before you begin, it’s helpful to gather a few simple cleaning supplies and have everything within reach. Most of these are items you probably already have around the house.
A note about microfiber
I have a few old microfiber cloths that I bought when I first started doing natural laundry and am still using them. However, if you are purchasing consumables, we recommend that you choose cotton fabric or recycle old natural fiber clothing into rags. Microfiber is basically plastic and every time you wash it, it contributes to the problem of plastic pollution.
I’m using it because I already have it, but I’m not going to buy any more. You can read more about microfiber here and my thoughts and solutions to the problem. So, keep this in mind whenever you see the cleaning cloths or microfibers mentioned below.
Basic cleaning supplies:
- Microfiber cloth, cotton cloth, old t-shirt rag
- cleaner spray bottle
- mop
- small bucket for soapy water
- Vacuum cleaner using attachment
Useful natural cleaning products:
Not all cleaners on this list are necessary. All you have to do is pick and choose what suits you best. Basic tools like baking soda, vinegar, and natural dish soap can solve most messy situations!
My Minimalist Natural Cleaning Closet
Confession time: Are you wondering how I do all this? Well, not really. Like most busy families, it’s important to prioritize and simplify where possible.
I used to build all my vacuum cleaners from scratch, but life with older kids, my business, and my podcast eventually changed that. There are so many great natural options these days, so I prefer to use a few high-quality products that work for a variety of purposes.
Here’s a quick rundown of my current favorite natural cleaning products:
With just a few supplies, you can clean almost anything in your home without the harsh chemicals found in many conventional cleaners.
Whole house work (start here)
There are several cleaning tasks that apply to the entire home. Start by opening windows for ventilation and turning on air filters if you have them. Fresh air makes the whole process easier and helps remove any remaining dust and indoor pollutants.
Start with a quick tidying up before you start cleaning in earnest. Pick up items off the floor and put them back where they belong, and keep a bin nearby to store items you want to donate or get rid of. Spring cleaning is the perfect time to get rid of the clutter.
And if you have children at home, be sure to participate! My kids have their own room checklists, and they love the satisfaction of crossing something off the list. Next, work from top to bottom in each room. This will prevent dust from falling into areas you have already cleaned.
Whole house cleaning checklist:
- Dust in the highest places (door frames, window frames, shelves, etc.)
- Vacuum or dust cobwebs
- Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans.
- Wipe down walls, switch plates, and door frames.
- Clean doors and doorknobs (hydrogen peroxide works well if anyone is sick).
- baseboard cleaning
- Vacuum or sweep all floors.
- Mop Hard Floors
- Move furniture (coffee tables, chairs, etc.) and clean underneath.
- Clean your windows inside and out
- Cleaning window and door frames
- Cleaning blinds, curtains, and insect screens
- Clean rugs and decorative pillows
- Vacuum sofa and under cushions
- Wax and polish the wooden surface.
After dusting or vacuuming the walls, wipe them with a damp cloth to remove any dirt, oil or stains. Kitchens in particular tend to accumulate grease on the walls over time. If you have tile in your kitchen or bathroom, spring is also a good time to clean and reseal your grout lines. This helps prevent water damage and stains.
living room and living area
Living spaces tend to collect the most everyday clutter, so I like to start there. Start by picking up everything off the floor and moving it to the appropriate room. Then, working from top to bottom, dust furniture, shelves and fixtures.
Living Room Cleaning Checklist:
- Ventilate by opening windows or running air filters.
- Remove dust from furniture with a damp cloth or cloth
- Dust light fixtures and fan blades
- Try cleaning your furniture using baking soda and water or a natural all-purpose cleaner.
- Clean the lamp with a cloth. Hydrogen peroxide spray is great for cleaning white lampshades.
- Clean your electronics and screens with Screen Safe Cleaner.
- Cleaning windows and window frames
- Clean or wipe down your blinds. I like to put them down and wash them in the bathtub with vinegar and water.
- Clean the walls and switch plates.
- Wash your blankets and pillows
- vacuum sofa and chair
- Remove sofa cushions and vacuum away any debris.
- Condition leather furniture if necessary
- Sweeping, vacuuming, or mopping the floor
If you have rugs or carpets in your living room, spring is also a good time to do some deep cleaning. Use a vacuum attachment to reach corners and along baseboards.
kitchen
The kitchen is the most used room in the house, so it’s a good idea to deep clean it at least once a year. Start by clearing your countertops so you can thoroughly clean the surfaces. It’s also a great opportunity to organize and store appliances that you rarely use.
Kitchen cleaning checklist:
- Open a window or run an air purifier
- Dusty surfaces, lights and fans. To remove kitchen grease, use warm soapy water as needed.
- Remove everything from the countertop and wipe down.
- Wipe backsplash and walls to remove grease stains
- Clean the exterior of the cabinet (using a wood-safe cleaner if necessary).
- Try cleaning your home appliances. Use stainless steel cleaner as needed.
- Clean the stove, stove vents, and replace vent filters.
- Clean your oven thoroughly
- Take food out of the refrigerator and freezer and clean the inside.
- Wipe the outside of the refrigerator.
- Take out the refrigerator and stove and clean underneath
- Remove dust from the refrigerator coils and clean the front grate.
- Clean out the pantry and wipe down the shelves.
- clean sink and fixtures
- Clean your dishwasher thoroughly by emptying it with vinegar
- clean garbage disposal
- Spray the trash can with a hose and disinfect it in the sun
- sweep and mop the floor
- Clean tile grout if necessary.
If your kitchen has granite countertops, use a granite-safe cleaner rather than vinegar. Vinegar can damage stones over time. You can also find a more detailed kitchen cleaning checklist here.
bathroom
Bathrooms are another area where a thorough cleaning can make a big difference. Warm, humid environments can cause mold to form if not cleaned regularly. As with any room, start with the highest surfaces first: walls, doors, and the tops of window frames.
Bathroom Cleaning Checklist:
- Open a window or run an air purifier
- Dusty surfaces, lights and fans
- Take everything out of the cabinets and wipe down the shelves. Remove anything that is old, expired, or unused.
- Clean mirrors and windows
- Wipe down the counter and sink
- Clean your makeup brushes and replace old makeup
- scrub shower and bathtub
- Remove soap scum and hard water accumulated in shower/tub and sink
- Replace or clean your shower liner.
- Clean tiles and grout and reseal if necessary. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are effective on stained grout.
- Clean your bathroom exhaust fan thoroughly
- Clean the exterior area of the bathroom thoroughly.
- Clean the inside of the toilet thoroughly
- Mop the floor and scrub the baseboards.
- Natural bath products back in stock
Shower filters help reduce mineral build-up, making your shower easier to clean over time. If your toilet seat still looks dirty after cleaning, it may be time to replace it. Sometimes this is the easiest solution!
bedroom
Bedrooms are generally simpler to clean, but may benefit from a seasonal refresh. Start by picking up everything off the floor and cleaning the surfaces to make cleaning easier. Here’s what I keep on my bedside table for more restful nights and refreshing mornings.
Bedroom cleaning checklist:
- Open a window or run an air purifier
- Remove dust from furniture, lights, and fans. You can start from the top and work your way down to clean up any dust/dirt that falls.
- Laundry sheets, blankets, bedding
- Wash your pillows if necessary.
- Ventilate your pillow or mattress pad by hanging it in the sun for a few hours.
- If your pillow is machine washable, wash it in the washing machine.
- Vacuum cleaner or mop floor
- Clean under the bed too
- Clean the walls and switch plates.
- Wipe down doors and handles.
- Clean lamps and shades.
- Cleaning windows, window frames and blinds
- Clean out your nightstands and drawers and throw away expired items, like old lip balm.
- Take the clothes out of the drawer, wipe the drawer, and then return the clothes. (Now might not be the time to start KonMari folding, but I highly recommend checking it out!)
- Refresh your bags of linen spray and drawer freshener.
Spring is also a great time to organize and refresh your wardrobe. I like to use this time to simplify my wardrobe and rotate out seasonal items. A capsule wardrobe makes getting dressed much easier and prevents your wardrobe from becoming overcrowded.
If it’s been a few years, evaluate whether your mattress still provides good support. Sometimes, all you need to do is upgrade your mattress to get a better night’s sleep. Here’s what we like.
Laundry room or utility room
Laundry rooms are often a place to store cleaning supplies, storage bins, and random household items. A quick seasonal reset can help you organize things. I also keep this printable reference sheet on how to naturally treat stains in your laundry room.
Laundry room cleaning checklist:
- Open a window or run an air purifier
- Dust, shelves, surfaces
- Remove everything from cabinets and shelves. Organize and declutter what’s left.
- Wipe down shelves and cabinets.
- Get rid of old cleaning supplies or expired supplies.
- Clean the washer and dryer
- Clean your washing machine thoroughly
- Wash your dryer lint trap with dishwashing detergent to remove any build-up.
- dryer vent cleaning
- Wipe down walls and baseboards.
- Sweeping and mopping the floor
- Organize and replenish your laundry as needed
- Replace or re-felt the wool dryer balls if necessary.
This is also a good time to evaluate your space and see whether it might benefit from better organization. Maybe it’s time to add some hangers to your mudroom, a mat for muddy boots, or some shelves to store laundry supplies that are currently piling up on the floor.
Make spring cleaning a part of your family’s daily routine
Deep cleaning your entire home can be overwhelming, but breaking it down into room by room makes it much easier to maintain. And if you sign up for my VIP newsletter, you’ll receive my free deep cleaning checklist as a thank you. We also offer a complete home organization binder printables that include customizable empty space cleaning templates.
I like to print my checklist and put it in a binder sleeve so I can reuse it year after year. Turn on your favorite playlist, open the windows, and enjoy some fresh air while you work. When you’re done, your entire home will feel lighter, cleaner, and ready for the new season. Good luck with your spring cleaning!
Did I miss anything on the checklist? I’d like to hear your story.
