How to Spring Clean Your House in a Day

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This guide will walk you through how to spring clean your house in a day so you can get it done fast. Sometimes when you are faced with a big project like cleaning an entire home, what you need is an easy plan as well as an actionable list and we have both!

Tips for living a Simple Life so that you can use to get the work done so you can enjoy your days more.

Refreshing your home after a closed up winter doesn’t have to be a huge hard project that takes up an entire weekend or more. With a little bit of planning, you can transform your living space in just a day.

This guide will take you through the entire cleaning process, breaking things down so you can get in and get done fast. We will also have a few room-by-room tips to help you save time.

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to check this project off your to-do list fast.

Spring Cleaning Prep list

I am so not a fan of cleaning so finding shortcuts on prep helps me to get in and done more quickly. Gathering and prepping is more helpful than you may realize. Just a few minutes now will save you loads of time later on.

Set Up Your Cleaning Station

Set up an area that will hold all the cleaners and tools you will need the day of. You can use a cleaning caddy, a laundry basket, or a bucket to hold your sponges, brushes, and cleaners. This will save you time and make sure you don’t forget any tools as you move from room to room.

SLCG Pro Tip: Set up a cleaning bucket or tote for your top rooms so you can clean whenever you need to with all your supplies close by.

Gather your Supplies

You will want to have a variety of cleaning supplies to tackle different areas of your house. Here’s a basic list to get you started:

• All-purpose cleaner
• Glass cleaner and newspapers to eliminate streaks.
• Rubber gloves to keep cleaners off your hands.
• Microfiber cloths
• Sponge or scrub brush
• Old toothbrush for grout and corners.
• Broom and dustpan
• Vacuum cleaner with attachments to get corners and walls.
• Mop
• Trash bags

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Create a Cleaning Schedule

When trying to spring clean a home in one day, having a game plan helps. Create a schedule that lists out the rooms by order of importance so you know you are hitting the top areas first when your energy is at it’s highest.

Plan to spend an hour in each room following your schedule so you stay on track. Stick to your plan as closely as possible, but be flexible enough to adjust if necessary.

Room Cleaning Checklist Bundle!

 

Room-by-Room Guide

Let’s map out a plan for each room that you can follow along to or you can use it to create a more customized plan for your home.

This list is not in any particular order so you can make a game plan starting with your top rooms and working your way down.

Living/family Room

The living room is often a busy room because it’s where the family hangs out together at the end of a long day. This means you may have a bigger mess than you realize with random toys hiding in cushions or food crumbs under end tables and couches.

To help, always use gravity to your advantage working from top to bottom.

#1. Pre Steps:

Be sure to enlist help. Since this is a communal room, start by having your family gather up anything that belongs to them. This will really make a dent in the room allowing you to get to cleaning more quickly.

• Walk the room and remove any trash & recyclables you find.
• Using a laundry basket gather up any items that belong in another room, this includes toys, clothes, and dishes.
• Once done, walk your home putting every item in this basket away.
• Finally, put anything away that belongs in this room.

#2. Cleaning Plan:

• Start High: Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures, and then work your way down to any shelves or wall art.
• Middle Part 1: Clean any cabinets, other wood furniture being sure to get the outside and hinges.
• Middle Part 2: Clean any furniture by dusting the wood and vacuuming upholstered furniture. Use an attachment to get under the cushions and in corners.
• Finish Low: Get help to move furniture so you can clean underneath. Finish up cleaning the floor and wiping down trim work and heat vents.

#3. Keep it Neater:

Keep clutter away by using containers in areas that tend to get messy. This will help your family room to stay neater longer.

• A basket on the coffee table to hold remotes.
• A large basket to hold extra blankets
• A shallow basket to hold pet toys.

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Kitchen

The heart of the home, the kitchen can be one of the most time-consuming rooms to clean. Keep an eye open for anything you can donate so you can free up space in this busy area.

When cleaning, focus on high-touch surfaces to eliminate germs, keep excess items off the counters for a more efficient cooking area.

#1. Pre Steps:

If you have quite a few items that belong to family members, have them come in and gather up what they own. This will help to jump start your cleaning list.

• Walk the room and remove any trash & recyclables you find.
• Using a laundry basket gather up any items that belong in another room. Once done, walk your home putting every item in this basket away.

#2. Cleaning Plan:

• Start High: If it is open, clean the top of your cabinets. Wipe down any lights and fans. Finish by cleaning windows and trim work.
• Middle Part One: Clean the microwave, wipe down the front of the stove/oven, and clean the inside and out of your refrigerator. If you oven needs the inside cleaned, save this job for another day. Be sure to make a list of these projects so you can get them done quickly.

Kitchen Cleaning tips:

• 3 Microwave Cleaning Hacks to Try
• How to Clean and Organize a Refrigerator

• Middle Part Two: Use a disinfectant to clean countertops and backsplashes. Wipe down any small appliances that you have out on the counters. Finish by wiping down the kitchen table and any other furniture you have not gotten to yet.
• Finish Low: Sweep the floor and mop being sure to get any trim work if needed.

#3. Keep it Neater:

• Organize Pantry and Cabinets: Use containers to keep these areas neater.
• Streamline Counters: Only keep out things you use daily so you can free up space for easier cooking.
• Mail Basket: Put a basket on the counter to toss incoming mail in daily. This one tip alone will keep your kitchen neater every day.

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Bedrooms

In the bedrooms, focus on removing extra items so you can set up a cozy space that allows you and your family to recharge after a long day. Start with your room and help your family tackle theirs.

For this list we will be focusing on the master bedroom. You may need to adjust some of the tasks for kid’s rooms.

#1. Pre Steps:

• Walk the room and remove any trash & recyclables you find.
• Using a laundry basket gather up any items that belong in another room. Look for paperwork, receipts, other family’s laundry, books, and mail.
• Once done, walk your home putting every item in this basket away.

#2. Cleaning Plan:

• Start High: Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures. , and then work your way down to any shelves, cabinets, and wall art. Finish by cleaning windows and trim work.
• Middle: Clean all the furniture in the room. Strip the bed, wipe it all down and put on new linens.
• Finish Low: Clean the floors, under all the furniture if you have help, and any wood trim if needed.

#3. Keep it Neater:

Keep clutter away by using containers in areas that tend to get messy. This will help your bedrooms stay less cluttered and messy.

• Put a hamper in the room for dirty clothes.
• A door organizer can hold shoes, toys, or other items.
• A bin on a dresser works great to hold misc items.
• A tray on a nightstand can hold lip balm, tissues, and hand cream.
• A bed organizer can hold a book, remote, and a pen and journal.

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Bathrooms

This is one room where germs and grime can get out of hand quickly. I like to spring clean our family bathroom every month to ensure we have a cleaner area. The good news is, the more often you do it the faster you can get it done.

A clean bathroom not only looks great but is healthier for everyone overall.

#1. Pre Steps:

• Empty the trash and clean the trash can.
• Gather up any dirty laundry and take it to the laundry room.
• Toss any old loofahs, razors, and toothbrushes and replace with new.

#2. Cleaning Plan:

• Start High: Clean lights and any windows along with the trim. If you have shelves in this room work on those next.
• The Middle Part One: Clean the tub, shower, sink, and toilet thoroughly with appropriate cleaners. If your water is weak, clean the shower head and deodorize your drains.
• The Middle Part Two: Use glass cleaner to clean any mirrors, remaining cabinets, as well as faucets.
• Finish Low: Clean the floors, any trim, and heater vents.

#3. Keep it Neater:

Keep clutter away by using containers in areas that tend to get messy. This will help your bathroom stay less cluttered and messy.

• Put a hamper in the room for dirty clothes.
• A door organizer can hold toiletries.
• Use a basket to hold extra toilet paper or rolled up towels.
• Use a shower or tub organizer to hold hair supplies and body soaps.
• Use a toy bag to keep kids items contained.

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If you have other rooms you need to tackle, use this list to customize a plan for each of those areas. Be sure to start high and work your way low wiping down all the items in each area. Finish up with organizers that will help you to keep each area neater and less cluttered.

Planner Pages to Create a Home Cleaning Plan

 

Bonus Cleaning Tips

Let’s look at a few tips you can use to help make cleaning easier and more efficient.

Delegate Tasks

If you have family members or roommates, divide and conquer. Assign each person a specific room or set of tasks to complete, making the process faster and more manageable.

Use Multi-Purpose Cleaners

Simplify your cleaning routine by using multi-purpose cleaners that can be used on a variety of surfaces. This will reduce the number of products you need to carry around the house.

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If you are not a fan of store bought chemical cleaners, you can try these 15 DIY Cleaner Recipes for Your Home.

Set a Timer for Each Room

A timer can be a helpful tool to keep you focused and on schedule. It can also provide a sense of urgency, which may motivate you to work more quickly.

There is nothing as motivating as a clicking clock when you are cleaning a room!

Use a Cleaning Room Checklist

Create a checklist for each room to ensure that you don’t miss any cleaning tasks. This will also help you see progress, which can be a great motivator.

These cleaning pages can help you customize a cleaning plan for daily, weekly, monthly and more!

Work on Your Top Rooms First

Start with the rooms that are most used or where cleanliness is most noticeable. This way, even if you run out of time, the most important parts of your home will have been addressed.

Tackle the Most Time-Consuming Tasks First

Begin with the tasks that will take the most time, such as washing sheets or cleaning the oven. This way, you’ll be tackling the most challenging parts of the process when you’re most alert and focused.

Listen to Your Favorite Upbeat Music

Create a cleaning playlist of your favorite upbeat songs. Music can make tedious tasks more enjoyable and help you maintain a good pace. You can also listen to an audio book. This is my favorite way to get my cleaning done while being entertained.

Take Short Breaks to Avoid Burnout

It’s important to pace yourself and take short, 5-10 minute breaks between rooms. Use this time to catch your breath, grab a drink, and and recharge for the next round of cleaning.

Spring cleaning a home in just one day is an ambitious project, but with careful planning and these helpful tips, it’s entirely possible. By breaking down the process into manageable steps and optimizing your cleaning routine, you can enjoy a beautifully clean home without sacrificing an entire weekend or longer to get it all done.

Remember, the key is to find shortcuts that don’t risk a job well done. Grab a favorite playlist of upbeat tunes and enjoy the process. Soon you can celebrate the fresh start of the season in your sparkling clean home.

More Simple Living Tips:

• 7 Daily Habits for a Clutter Free Home
• How to Live Clutter-Free
• Daily Chores to Keep a Clean House