33 Spring Cleaning Tips to Add to Your Checklist

Before you get started, consider giving your cleaning supplies an overhaul. Tossing the toxins is the first step to creating a cleaner, healthier, and safer home, says Marilee Nelson, co-founder of Branch Basics. According to the American Lung Association, it's particularly important to avoid air fresheners and choose products that do not contain—or have reduced amounts of—fragrances, irritants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and flammable ingredients.

If your microwave has stains and residue buildup, lemons can help give this workhorse kitchen appliance a thorough cleaning, says Michael Dimopoulos, Thumbtack pro and founder of Lazy Susans Cleaning Service. In a bowl, combine one cup of water, one cup of vinegar, and two tablespoons of lemon juice. Place the bowl in the center of an empty microwave and set on high for two minutes. Wipe down with a damp cloth.

Ready to swap your winter coats for your denim jackets? If your spring and summer clothes have been tucked away all winter, combat any musty smells with a homemade cleaning spray. Simply put vodka (any inexpensive brand will do) into an empty spray bottle, then spritz onto clothes to dampen, says Nelson. Let it sit, then wash the garment as usual.

Vodka is a great cleaning solution for your accessories, too, says Nelson. Soak gold and silver jewelry (never delicate pearls or precious gems!) in vodka, then use a clean toothbrush to loosen any debris.

When sorting clothes, set aside any old cotton T-shirts—they are excellent for giving mirrors a streak- and lint-free clean, says Larry Patterson, franchise owner of Glass Doctor, a Neighborly company. For a chemical-free clean, mix white vinegar, distilled water, and a few drops of an essential oil. Shake, spritz, then wipe dry.

Have a pair of unbelievably comfortable sneakers you simply can't part with? Or maybe the kids' cleats are causing a foul odor in your front hall closet? For an easy refresh, simply sprinkle baking soda inside the offending shoes and let sit overnight, says Nelson. The next morning, all you have to do is shake out the powder.

If your TV screen is littered with fingerprints and smudges, it can affect the picture quality. But these expensive pieces of tech require a delicate hand. For a streak-free clean that won't scratch, glide a coffee filter over the screen, says Nelson. This trick works for computer screens and tablets, too.

The best way to prevent bacteria growth within your knife block is to thoroughly clean and dry knives before returning to storage, but it's also a good idea to do a more vigorous cleaning once a year, says Viola Wüsthof, CEO of WÜSTHOF. For a deep clean, submerge the knife block in a mixture of one gallon of lukewarm water and one tablespoon of household bleach. Let the wooden block soak in the mixture for two minutes, then turn upside-down onto a dry towel to air dry completely.

Even appliances that exist to clean other items in your home need their own cleaning from time to time—particularly if you have hard water, which can cause calcium buildup. To give your dishwasher a refresh, dump a couple of cups of white vinegar in the machine and run a hot cycle, says Nelson. This does more than make the appliance sparkle; it keeps things running smoothly for longer.

You can also use white vinegar to remove any hard water stains from your tea kettle, says Jennifer Parnell, co-founder of Humble Suds. Pour equal parts water and vinegar (about one cup each) into the tea kettle. When water comes to a boil, turn off the heat and let the mixture sit undisturbed for a few hours. Pour out the mixture and clean as usual with dish soap.

If a cup of coffee is more your speed, a basic drugstore item can give your dutiful machine a heavy clean. Fill the back of the auto-drip tank with warm water, then drop two denture tablets into the liquid and let them fully dissolve, says Leanne Stapf, chief operating officer at The Cleaning Authority. Run the coffee pot through a regular cycle, then repeat the entire cycle using just warm water.

Dirty, blocked, cracked, and leaking chimneys, flues, and venting not only present a fire hazard, but can also negatively impact the day-to-day air quality in your home, says Richard Ciresi, franchise owner of Aire Serv, a Neighborly company. The good news? You don't have to do much to stay on top of this—the safest course of action is to schedule a routine annual cleaning and inspection.

Clearing all that gunk off the blades of your ceiling fans is a dirty job. Before you get started, protect your space by placing a drop cloth or an old sheet on the floor, covering an area about twice the span of the blades, says Jennie Varney, brand manager for Molly Maid, a Neighborly Company. Then, use an extendable duster to wipe the span of the blades. Pick up the drop cloth, shake outside, and launder.

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For best results, clean your windows on a shady day—when windows are warm, the cleaning solution will streak, says Lyle Kvarnlov, product services manager at Marvin Windows and Doors. And to cut down on scrubbing, soak the glass surface with a mixture of clean water and mild soap to break down any dirt or debris. Then apply a mild cleaning product with microfiber cleaning cloth. Pro tip: A deep-cleaning brush (or a toothbrush!) works well to reach cracks and crevasses where buildup may occur.

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There’s a German concept called lüften, which means “to lift into the air.” It’s a way to freshen your home and improve air quality. It’s simple: Just leave the windows open for a few hours to release the stagnant air that filled your house all winter. Take this opportunity to swap out dirty filters and grab an electrostatic duster to clean grime from ceiling fans.

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It may not be obvious, but studies show your phone is dirtier than both your toilet seat and the bottom of your shoe—gross! Take the case off, swipe a disinfectant wipe over the entire surface of your phone. Then do the same to the case before replacing it. Alternatively, you can try this gadget, which kills 99.9 percent of bacteria using UV light.

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While you’ve got your phone out, take a trip down memory lane to organize your photos and free up some memory space. While you’re at it, you can even use a service like scanmyphotos.com to digitize any old family pics or special mementos, like the kids’ best art projects.

“Often overlooked as a source for dust mites, pet bedding is the perfect source for these allergen causing creatures," says Kimberly Button, a WELL accredited professional. Clean the bed in the washing machine on the highest setting possible. If your pet’s bedding isn’t machine-washable, place the bed outdoors in the hot sun or freezing cold at least once every two weeks to keep dust mite colonies at bay. And consider upgrading to a pet bed like this one—it’s made with 100 percent merino wool, a material resistant to dust mites.

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In a small bowl, mix 1 cup white vinegar with 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol and 20-40 drops of tea tree or lemon-eucalyptus essential oil. Then, use a soft microfiber rag dipped in the mixture to clean every crevice. Pay particular attention to the hinges for the lid and foot pedal, using an old toothbrush or Q-tips if necessary, suggests Natalie Wise, author of The Modern Organic Home.

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“Sitting on a couch or lounge chair exposes the fabric to heat, sweat, and flaked off skin, and these are the elements that dust mites thrive on,” says Button. Use a hot steamer during your deep-clean. Then, take advantage of your vacuum's upholstery attachment at least once a week.

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