Spring Cleaning Tips and Room-by-Room Checklist

During the winter months, our homes can become stale as they accumulate dust, allergens and recirculated air. But opening the windows isn't the only way to give your home the ultimate spring cleaning. From clearing out the fridge and polishing the baseboards to making your windows sparkle, a deep clean can set the stage for a healthier, happier and more organized living space. Follow our spring cleaning guide to welcome the new season.

Spring cleaning is more than just a routine tidy-up. With this annual tradition, you go deeper than your usual weekly clean and tackle tasks you might not have completed in several months. It often involves decluttering, organizing and deep cleaning your home, as well as assessing what's working (or not working!) in your home design and function.

A clean and organized home not only contributes to a visually appealing living space, but also promotes a healthier and more comfortable environment. Regular cleaning helps eliminate allergens, reduce stress and create a space where you can truly relax.¹

For the best results, you'll need to do a little planning before you pull out all your supplies and start spring cleaning.

1. Take an inventory of what needs to be cleaned

   Thoroughly assess the current state of your home. Identify areas that require extra attention and make note of items that might need replacement, repair or upgrading. Is there a scuff mark on your baseboard, a small hole in the drywall or a threadbare cushion on your sofa? Make a note of it and add it to your home repair to-do list.

   Once you're ready to tackle those jobs, the Synchrony HOME™ Credit Card can help you purchase things you need for your home. Use the Synchrony HOME locator to find Synchrony HOME retail partners in your area that may have special offers for cardholders.*

2. Make a schedule or plan for cleaning

   Create a realistic schedule that breaks down tasks over several days or weekends. After all, tackling the entire house in one day can be overwhelming. You may even end up with more mess and clutter if you abandon your plans halfway through. But a well-planned schedule ensures that each area receives the attention it deserves without wearing you out too much.

3. Gather all necessary cleaning supplies

   To streamline your spring cleaning process, ensure you have all the necessary cleaning supplies at hand. Stock up on microfiber cloths, sponges, brushes and other tools needed for various surfaces, as well as greener cleaning solutions that are better for your health and the environment.²

Follow this room-by-room guide to thoroughly spring clean your home.

Start by doing a general clean of the kitchen, including wiping down the appliances, cabinets and countertops and then sweeping and mopping the floors. Then, you can dive into the bigger jobs, including:

• Deep cleaning the oven and microwave
• Throwing out all expired/spoiled food in the fridge, freezer and pantry
• Cleaning inside the fridge, freezer and dishwasher
• Wiping down the tops of cabinets and hardware
• Cleaning out the inside of the garbage cans

Dust the furniture thoroughly, remove sofa cushions to vacuum, and clean the floors and windows. Then, move on to deep cleaning, including:

• Wiping down the walls with warm soapy water to remove fingerprints, stains and debris
• Steam cleaning your carpets or floors (This is a good opportunity to assess your carpets and floors in case you need to replace them.)
• Dusting baseboards and skirting boards
• Cleaning light fixtures and checking lightbulbs
• Cleaning windows, sills and blinds or curtains

Wash and change your bedding, and declutter to make larger cleaning jobs easier to manage. Then, tackle these spring cleaning tasks:

• Rotate your mattress and wash your pillows.
• Check whether you need to invest in a new mattress, bedding or pillows. The Sleep Foundation recommends changing your mattress every six to eight years.³
• Move furniture and clean the floor underneath.
• Clean lamps.
• Carefully dust ceiling fans.
• Wipe and sanitize light switches.

Clean showers, tubs, toilets and sinks, and mop floors before loading bathroom rugs, shower liners and curtains into the laundry. You might want to buy a new set of towels, a bathroom mat or a shower curtain. Some experts recommend replacing your shower curtain at least every six months.⁴ Then, move on to:

• Scrubbing the tiles and grout in the shower and bath
• Decluttering the cabinets and medicine cabinet and returning unused or expired medications to your pharmacy
• Tossing out old or expired makeup or skincare products and replacing your toothbrush if needed

To refresh your home office, start by:

• Organizing your papers and decluttering your desk
• Dusting and sanitizing electronics
• Cleaning the windows to let some natural light in

Take this opportunity to assess whether any home office upgrades are in order. Consider transitioning to energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting or energy-saving appliances, to enhance sustainability and help reduce environmental impact.

Additionally, pay close attention to the ergonomic aspects of your home office furniture. Evaluate the comfort and functionality of your chair, desk and other workspace essentials. Using ergonomic furniture may improve posture, reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues and enhance overall productivity.⁵

Want to up your spring cleaning game? Try these additional tips and tricks:

Creating homemade cleaning solutions is not only cost-effective, but also environmentally friendly. Ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and lemon can be used to make effective cleaners for various surfaces.⁶

Investing in quality cleaning tools can make a significant difference in the effectiveness of your cleaning routine. Microfiber cloths are excellent for capturing dust and dirt without spreading it around, providing a thorough clean.

Incorporate decluttering into your spring cleaning routine. Assess each room for items that are no longer needed, and donate or discard them. Organize your belongings in a way that makes it easy to maintain a tidy space in the long run.

Finally, take a walk around your home to ensure you didn't miss anything, like your entranceway or garage. Then, be sure to test and replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and clean air vents, replacing filters as needed.

Looking ahead, start planning for next year's spring cleaning, and consider the importance of regular cleaning for the well-being of your home. And remember that regular cleaning isn't just about removing dust—it's about creating a healthy and happy environment in your home.

The Synchrony HOME™ Credit Card can be a valuable resource for upgrading and replacing items in your home. Whether you're looking for new appliances, mattresses or home office furniture, the Synchrony HOME™ Credit Card can help you move from cleaning your space to starting a new home improvement project.