This is the ultimate spring cleaning list that you can use anytime of year, but perfect for spring cleaning.
Something about the warmer spring weather, fresh blooms, the sounds of birds singing, and beautiful sunshine put me in the best mood. When I am in a good mood, I have so much energy to clean every nook and cranny around the house.
I guess that is why spring cleaning is a thing!
What I love most about spring cleaning, is the fact that you don’t really have to spend much money or any at all. It’s all about using what you have and hacking into the chemistry of cleaning, to get the most out of it.
Let’s dive in to the ULTIMATE spring cleaning List!
The Ultimate Spring Cleaning List with Homemade Recipes
If you enjoy handy science-based spring cleaning tips, make sure to check out our 4 must have spring cleaning tools.
Spring Cleaning In The Kitchen
First up are the best spring cleaning tips for the kitchen from top to bottom.
The Ceiling:
Always start at the top of a room and work down. I have really tall ceilings so I use a broom to sweep the top and fixtures. Using a damp rag, wipe down the fixtures too.
The Walls:
With warm water and dish soap, wipe down the walls and baseboards.
Floors:
From the Book: Clean the floors with the DIY PineSol Cleaner (it smells amazing).
If you don’t have the book, you can use warm water/dish soap to deep clean the floors.
Appliances:
Microwave: Use this cleaner! After you use this, keep the hot vinegar lemon water to clean the dishwasher and oven area.
From the Book: Use the “Everything” cleaner from page 13 to clean the dishwasher, fridge, stove top, and any appliance.
Coffee pot: Clean your coffee pot with these tips.
Rugs: If you have rugs in the kitchen, this is the best freshener for them.
The Living Room/ Bedrooms
One of my favorite areas to get some good spring cleaning to is the living room and bedrooms. These areas are often overlooked because they don’t appear to get as dirty as kitchens or bathrooms, but they definitely need a good deep cleaning this time of year.
The Ceilings:
Same method as the kitchen!
For the Ceiling Fans:
Take a pillow case around the blades and wipe off (this keeps the dust from falling). Wipe with a damp cloth to get the rest of dust off. Be sure to read this awesome post we did on ceiling fan cleaning hacks.
The Walls:
Same method as kitchen.
Furniture:
Dust all the furniture.
From the Book: Use the Homemade Dust Cleaner! If you don’t have the book, use what you have on hand.
Cleaning the fabric on furniture: If you subscribe to the newsletter, I have mentioned a few methods for this. I use a small upholstery cleaner to do all of my couches and chairs. Here is a post we did on that.
Carpets:
Use this carpet cleaner for all of it!
The Air:
Don’t forget the air quality in your rooms, check out these tips to make sure all your rooms smell so good.
Beds:
Sprinkle baking soda on the mattresses, allow to sit, then vacuum up. Wash pillows in the washing machine (I do two at a time to even out the weight).
Read these chemist tips on deep cleaning to check out some over looked areas in the common areas that need to be checked out as well as dryer vents, a/c units etc.
The Bathrooms
Next up is the bathrooms, for in-depth bathroom cleaning, we have another fantastic post to read here. Below is an overview.
The Ceilings:
Use the same method as the previous ones.
The Toilet:
You can make our DIY toilet bowl cleaner which has gone viral every year because it is unique and works well!
The Showers:
You can use this all-purpose cleaner for almost all surfaces EXCEPT stones. If you have natural stone that needs deep cleaning, this is the post you need!
Floors:
Use the same method as the kitchen.
Mirrors:
From the book: Use the mirror cleaner or the DIY stone/granite multi-purpose cleaner on page 13 (if you can’t tell, this is my favorite cleaner ever…I use it for everything!) Read this post on all the neat things you can use that cleaner for too.
You can also use your favorite glass/mirror cleaner too.
Extra Tips Chemistry Hacks for Spring Cleaning
Change out those dusty air filters around your home. Also, don’t forget to clean your cleaning tools! Mind-blowing! You’ll be shocked at how much grime they secretly hold. Your mops, brooms, and vacuums need to be cleaned so they perform better.
You don’t have to spend a bunch of money on cleaning products, these DIY cleaning solutions work so good and you can mix them up in no time.
Think of it as a mini-refresh for your space and yourself. A clean home is a happy home, and a happy home means a healthier, happier you!
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
This is so awesome! You have made me love cleaning again…all your DIY things work so good and easy too
It is fun to clean when it works so fast AND works so good!! Thank you, hope you enjoy this list!
Great list of cleaning hacks! I love the idea of starting from the top of the room and working down!
Thanks Tina! It is really efficient starting at the top and working down… it is nice to have the entire space clean 🙂
This is definitely making me want to go home and do some serious spring cleaning! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
It is so much fun to get the entire house clean! Especially when it is cheap and easy 🙂
Wow… what a great cleaning “layout”! You’re terrific!
Thanks so much Laurie!
Thank you so much for all you tips and advice
Thanks Jo-Anne! I’m happy to share things that can help everyone!
I love this list. Such a good reminder and your tips are always awesome! I’ll be sharing this on my monthly favorites post 🙂
Thanks girl!! I’m so happy you enjoy it 🙂
Awesome tips – thanks so much for sharing. I like the idea on how to clean a fan!
It is so helpful cleaning fans like that! Makes it so much easier!
Just saw your snap about cleaning throw pillows and so good to know about the baking soda trick on mattresses. I’ll have to try that one out since Spring cleaning needs to begin in this household as much as I dislike the thought of it. Great tips gurlie!
I love cleaning all the pillows like that! Much easier than having to put in washing machine! And the mattress tip is really good too! Thanks girl, hope you enjoy trying it out!
Awesome tips! Definitely using that pillow case idea for the ceiling fans <3
Green Fashionista
Thanks girl! That is such a great tip and makes it so easy!
Hi! I have not visited your blog in a while. I enjoy reading all the healthy and homemade tips you share. If I ever have my own house one day, your blog is one I will be referring to. You have a wealth of knowledge on here. You mentioned in your comment above about cleaning throw pillow and mattresses. Would you share your tips on cleaning those with me?
I hope you have a great day!
Love
Ashley
ashleysyarnworks.etsy.com
creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com
Hi Ashley! Thanks so much! I always use my “everything” granite/stone cleaner from the eBook to clean throw pillows. I like to saturate the pillows with the spray, then pop them in the dryer for a few minutes. Makes them so clean and fluffy! Plus gets rid of stains and disinfectants them 🙂
My carpets are desperate for a spring cleaning! Wrote the recipe down 🙂
It really freshens up the carpet!! 🙂
These tips are great. I started my Spring cleaning yesterday so these came right on time! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty!
Thanks Lynn!! It is so nice to get some spring cleaning done 🙂
Just purchased your book-can’t wait to try your recipes! I have been making as much diy as possible for years, and it is so good to know an actual Chemist is putting these together-like you have said, there are many questionable things posted on Pinterest, and want to make sure I’m not replacing harmful chemicals with more harmful chemicals!:)
I have 2 questions:
1. Does your bathroom cleaner disinfect? I’m concerned about using it on the exterior of and around the toilet if not. Would your diy Pine Sol work better for that? I have been using white vinegar, vodka, water, and essential oils.
2. Do you have any good recipes for laundry detergent? You included stain removers, but no detergent or ideas for fabric softeners. Maybe I’m missing something on your site. I have been using bar castile soap, borax, washing soda and baking soda with some essential oils in my he washer. Also use hydrogen peroxide as a bleach for towels and dirty whites, and white vinegar as a softener. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much for your information and opinion!
Hi Lori! I hope you enjoy the book 🙂 Yes, the bathroom cleaner works like a disinfectant. Vinegar is actually not classified as a disinfectant in the chemical database, but borax is which that cleaner does have. One of my favorite bathroom cleaners from the book that is a great disinfectant is this all-purpose cleaner I wrote about here. It is called the granite/everything cleaner on page 13. I originally just made it for granite and stone, but wow it works for everything. It is my current favorite cleaner.
I do not have any recipes for detergents of any kind. I have made homemade ones before mixing the things you mentioned for yours too. It is hard to mimic a deterring agent at home which all detergents are, so I tried to only share recipes that mimic typical store-bought solutions. Hydrogen peroxide is a great oxidizing agent, so it can be a good substitute for bleach. It isn’t as powerful, but I really love it. Vinegar is really good for getting rid of bad odors and mildew scents in clothes, I would just make sure not to use it often. The acid can be really hard on the pipes and tubing in a washing machine. I typically use it once a month for really tough laundry odors. Let me know if you have any other questions 🙂 Have a great day!