Ultimate Low-Stress Spring Cleaning Checklist

February 23, 2024

In this post you will learn how to give your home a good low-stress Spring deep clean!

Spring is upon us and what better time to refresh your home with this ultimate low-stress Spring cleaning checklist.

What you don’t want to do is dive in headfirst to your Spring cleaning just to end up overwhelmed and don’t end up doing anything. “I have to clean that many windows? Do I need to clean the air vents too? Should I deep clean the washing machine or nah?”

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be overwhelming and can actually be pretty straightforward. Cleaning should be enjoyable and not another source of stress for you.

So let’s get started with this low-stress Spring cleaning checklist!

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Cleaning Products You Will Need

Low-Stress Spring Cleaning Checklist

First off, Spring cleaning does not have to be you cleaning your entire house top to bottom. The point of Spring cleaning is to refresh your house, not a complete redo.

So here is a little hack that helps me tackle the dirtiest areas in my home without overwhelming myself.

1. Make your list

Grab a pen and paper (or your phone if that’s preferred) and write down 5-10 major areas in your home that have not been cleaned in a while.

My full Spring cleaning checklist includes:

deep clean the dishwasher
deep clean the washing machine
deep clean the oven

organize the pantry
dust baseboards
clean the door sliders and window sills

declutter playroom/toys
declutter all closets

A lot of these tasks end up being done before Spring, but it’s nice to still include them in the list so I don’t forget them. Now you make your list!

2. Complete the tasks

Now you have your list and you know exactly what needs to be cleaned without it taking up precious mental space. So next thing is you tackle one task from your list every Saturday and write down what date it was completed.

I like to physically write lists because I have found it just helps me be more productive. If you want a physical cleaning checklist as well, I have some editable cleaning checklist templates here you can download and try for yourself!

3. Learn how to clean everything properly

When you first started taking cleaning your home seriously, you probably had to google how to clean certain areas properly. “How do I clean the dishwasher? How about the washing machine?” And so on.

Well, you’re in luck! I have done all that googling for you. I will explain below how to clean some of the main areas in your home and you can come back to this post for reference whenever you need some low-stress Spring cleaning inspiration.

Dishwasher

A less expensive way to clean your dishwasher is to place a cup of white vinegar on the top and run it on a hot cycle. This will break down all the food, grease and grime and clear it away. It also sanitizes it and removes mineral deposits. When that cycle finishes, sprinkle baking soda in the bottom and run another hot cycle. (If able, you can choose the quick cycles!) The baking soda will remove lingering odors and break down any stuck-on food.

Washing Machine

For this task, I am borrowing these three steps from Better Homes and Gardens.

Step 1: Run a Hot Cycle with Vinegar

Run an empty, regular cycle on hot, using two cups of white vinegar instead of detergent. Add the vinegar to the detergent dispenser. (Don’t worry about harming your machine, as white vinegar will not damage clothes.) The hot water-vinegar combo removes and prevents bacteria growth. Vinegar can also act as a deodorizer and cut through mildew odors.

Step 2: Scrub the Inside and Outside of the Washing Machine

In a bucket or nearby sink, mix about 1/4 cup of vinegar with a quart of warm water. Use this mixture, plus a sponge and dedicated toothbrush, to clean the inside of the machine. Pay special attention to dispensers for fabric softener or soap, the inside of the door, and around the door opening. If your soap dispenser is removable, soak it in vinegar water before scrubbing. Give the machine’s exterior a wipe down, too.

Step 3: Run a Second Hot Cycle

Run one more empty, regular cycle on hot, without detergent or vinegar. If desired, add 1/2 cup baking soda to the drum to help clear away buildup loosened from the first cycle. After the cycle is complete, wipe out the inside of the drum with a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining residue.

Oven

There are lots of oven cleaners on the market and you can feel free to keep using them, but I love using the self-cleaning function on my oven.

What the self-cleaning function does is it heats your oven to like 900 degrees which completely burns off any food pieces that are stuck in there. Once the cleaning cycle is done, all that is left is ash that just needs to be wiped off and cleaned. Before you start the self-cleaning function, make sure to take the racks out so it’s easier to clean afterwards. Some ovens may require you to take the racks out as they can’t take the heat.

Now let’s focus on the outside of the oven. First is the stovetop. The easiest way is using a Magic Eraser to get off all the cooked food and then wiping clean with a cloth and multi-purpose cleaner.

Next is the over door. Mix baking soda and water until it creates a paste. Spread it on the door and let it sit for 20 minutes. Wipe it clean with a dry microfiber cloth, followed by a wet one.

On the outside of the oven door, use glass cleaner. Lastly, use a multi-purpose spray and Magic Eraser to clean the stainless steel and buff it using a little olive oil and a microfiber cloth.

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