12 Things to Clean During Spring Cleaning This Year

As you wake from your long winter's nap and look around at all the spots where the sunbeams hit in your home, it's inevitable that spring cleaning comes to mind to help shake off winter's chill (and dirt). I'm a long-time spring cleaner — we did it when I was growing up, and I continue doing it as an adult — and I love having a fresh, clean house as the days grow longer. 

So, even if you've done your spring cleaning already, there may be a few spots you missed that could give you that new-beginnings kind of clean you long for. If you've missed any of these spots, take a few moments to go back and get them clean so you can go into the rest of spring and summer with a spotless space you'll be proud to call home. 

If you're cleaning with dirty tools, that means you're not really getting things very clean. So clean your vacuum before you even get started. You should also start with fresh, clean sponges, towels, mops, and brooms so you're not adding dirt as you remove dirt.

I'm sure that cleaning your fridge is a regular part of your cleaning routine, but spring cleaning calls for a deeper clean so that this hard-working appliance looks, smells, and works its best. Along with tossing out expired stuff and scrubbing the inside so it sparkles and smells great, don't forget to vacuum the coils, clean the gaskets, wash the drip tray, and give it a good cleaning on top so it'll be spotlessly chill during the warmer seasons. 

Related: Step-by-Step Refrigerator Cleaning Guide

Before it goes into use for another season, you should clean your air conditioner thoroughly, including the condenser coils and fan parts. But don't forget about filters in your HVAC. We replace ours in early spring with the highest-rated HEPA filter we can find to help keep allergens at bay. If you have a separate furnace and AC, you'll need to clean both to shake off the dust of winter and get ready for the pollen of spring. 

Your dishwasher works hard all year long, so don't neglect cleaning it as part of your spring cleaning. If you've noticed your dishwasher isn't getting your dishes as clean as it used to, now is the time to fix it. Clean the filters and remove buildup from the spray arms. Once those things are cleaned, run a dishwasher tablet through it on a normal cycle, and your dishes will be ready to sparkle in the summer sun. 

I'm not very tall, so I tend not to see dust that piles up above eye level. That's why cleaning all the trim is so important. Don't forget the tops of door frames and windowsills, as well as baseboards. I also wipe down doors and window frames as I clean the trim, using a magic eraser to get rid of any smudges that have collected since I last cleaned it. 

Your range hood works pretty hard for you over the winter, sucking up smoke, grease, and smells and sending them out of your house. And it gets really dirty doing it. Since you're probably getting ready to move more of your cooking outdoors for the spring and summer, it's the perfect time to give your range hood a thorough cleaning. Remove and soak the grates and filters (so many filters!) and wipe down inside and out with a degreaser so everything is spotless. 

Assume when you're spring cleaning that you'll want to clean anything that's above eye level to get rid of any dust buildup. That includes the blades of your ceiling fan. Give everything a good, thorough cleaning so it isn't spreading dust and dirt every time you turn it on this spring.

Oh — and while you're at it, don't forget to clean other fans like your bathroom fan. Disconnect the power, dismantle it, and get all the dust and dirt off the grate and blades so it blows clean air.

You're probably doing this anyway, but during spring cleaning, you should pay special attention to high-touch areas. Disinfect each and wipe away stains, paying attention to walls and fixtures around them that could also get pretty dirty from the constant touching. Think doorknobs, cabinet pulls, light switches, stove knobs, and any other place dirty hands touch regularly. 

To prevent fires, you should clean your dryer vent regularly anyway. But during spring cleaning, make sure you vacuum the entire vent thoroughly and wash the lint screen to remove buildup. Let it dry thoroughly before putting it back in the dryer.

If your cabinets don't go all the way to the ceiling, don't neglect this space where dust and dirt commonly collect. You can vacuum the tops of the cabinets (and anything you keep up there) and then wipe it all down so it's spotless.

Dust can collect in air vents that are part of your HVAC system, too. You can remove the grates and soak them, vacuuming inside the vents while the grates soak. 

Window treatments (and your shower curtain) can get pretty grungy over the course of the year, and spring cleaning is the perfect time to start anew. Wash all the curtains in your home and vacuum, dust, and wipe down the blinds to remove oil, dust, dirt, and anything else that builds up on them all year long. 

Related: 15 Genius Spring Cleaning Hacks for a Fun & Fast Process

Spring cleaning can seem overwhelming, but it sure feels good when you're done. So whether you do it all in a day or two or divide it up over several days or weeks, don't forget these commonly overlooked places when you spring clean to give your home a fresh, clean start before summer rolls around.