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Clean regularly with soap and water or a sanitizing spray to reduce germs on surfaces, which decreases the risk of infection.

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To reduce cleaning stress during the holidays, consider a November “practice run” to clean bathrooms, rugs, carpets, kitchen cabinets, bedding, the refrigerator, etc.

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With many illnesses circulating, including the common cold, flu, RSV, hand-foot-mouth disease, and the COVID virus, the new year is an excellent time to reevaluate hygiene habits.

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Cleaning an air duct.

Korn V. - stock.adobe.com

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Horizontal photo of vacuum cleaning inside heater floor vent with red oak floors in background

Tom Baker

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Although the weather in Utah has felt like spring for much of the last few months, last week it became official with the vernal equinox on March 20.

The changing of the seasons brings with it an annual tradition that is both beloved and dreaded: spring cleaning.

According to a National Geographic article by Lola Mendez in 2024, the origins of the practice trace back to ancient times and are common in many cultures.

Many religions had symbolic spring cleansing rituals for individuals and places of worship, while there were also many historical practical reasons like removing the soot and grime left by burning wood and coal for heat during the winter.

We may not have the same reasons as our ancestors for doing a thorough cleaning at this time of year, but it can still be beneficial for our psyche.

“It (spring cleaning) also holds symbolic significance,” Mendez said in the National Geographic article. “Viewed as a fresh start, the tradition symbolizes the transition from the dormant winter season to the vibrant growth of spring. By purging the home of accumulated debris and organizing its contents, individuals create a cleaner living environment and a sense of mental clarity and freshness.”

Still, the process can be daunting as we look at an enormous amount of things to be cleaned in our homes.

To help break down the process and provide a better chance for successful renewal, here are 10 tips from cleaning resources to make the most of your spring cleaning:

1. Make a plan

Just about all of the spring cleaning guides recommend starting by deciding what you want to accomplish.

“Without a doubt, the top piece of advice I received from professional cleaners on where to start spring cleaning was to plan my approach on paper before I picked up a single tool,” Gabriella Dyson said in a 2024 article on HomesandGardens.com.

Sylvane.com had a similar approach, saying “Scope out your home: What areas need the most work? Where do you skip during routine cleaning? Those are the best places to start. Regardless of where you start, having a plan will keep you focused on the task at hand. Just go room by room.”

2. Get some fresh air

The warming temperatures make spring a great time to get things aired out.

“I love opening my windows to air out my home (even in the winter),” Tammy Strobel said in a spring cleaning article on BeMoreWithLess.com. “However, springtime breezes are the best. In the spring, it isn’t too hot or cold. Plus, the fresh air energizes me.”

Having open windows can also dissipate the smells of dust or cleaning solutions that are in use during the process.

3. Begin by decluttering

Busy schedules often make it easy to have clutter pile up throughout the house. Many resources advise starting by addressing that aspect of cleaning so it won’t be an obstacle to deeper cleaning efforts.

“Declutter first to streamline your cleaning process,” TrueHomes.com said in its spring cleaning guide. “Make sure all your cleaning supplies are ready to go so you’re not interrupted mid-task.”

4. Start with the busiest room

Dyson said that experts she talked to debated whether the kitchen or the bedroom as the best place to start, but her recommendation was to start with the room that gets the most traffic.

“The methodology behind this technique is simple: tackling the busiest room in your home first eliminates the biggest hurdle between you and a visibly cleaner home,” Dyson said. “Plus, the satisfaction of ticking the hardest area off your list at the beginning should be enough to motivate you to keep going.”

5. Consider the benefits of steam

The goal of spring cleaning is to improve the overall cleanliness of the home, but some cleaners can make it feel like you’ve added harsh chemicals instead of gotten rid of them. That can be where steam can be valuable, according to Sylvane.com.

“Since steam cleaners only use hot water vapor, they’re a 100% natural and chemical-free cleaning solution,” the website said. “If you don’t have a steam cleaner, one of the best natural combinations for cleaning is white distilled vinegar, baking soda, and water. These ingredients are affordable, non-toxic, and have worked for ages when it comes to cleaning.”

6. Cleaning lights brightens the home

It can be challenging to find or make the time to address the dirt and dust the builds up on light fixtures, but addressing can make your home feel very different.

“It amazes me how much dust accumulates on lamps, light bulbs, and overhead lights,” Strobel said. “This is a good time to clean ceiling fans too. I use a damp towel to clean all our lights (and ceiling fans). Cleaning our light fixtures has made our home brighter. Plus, the air quality is cleaner.”

7. Look at donating unwanted items

Trash cans will likely get filled with discarded items as you clean and de-clutter, but resources also recommend taking the time to donate things that might still be useful. That can be particularly true for closet-cleaning projects.

“If you have a difficult time letting go of clothing, consider pairing spring cleaning with Project 333 (also known as the Minimalist Fashion Challenge),” Strobel said. “The project is fun and will give you the tools to let go of clothes you don’t need.”

TrueHomes.com agreed, saying spring cleaning is a great time to “clean out wardrobes and donate items you no longer need.” Other examples of items to donate could include books, old furniture or unused appliances.

8. Work from the top down

The concept of starting at the ceiling and then moving downward is all about the logical process.

“When you think about how to spring clean your home, starting from the ceiling down is important,” Sylvane.com said. “This will force debris downward and keep you from having to re-dust or re-clean your space. If you have a vacuum with an extension hose, use it to get cobwebs and dust from your ceilings and fans first. Then, dust your furniture and other items before vacuuming all the dust and debris off your floors. It will save you time.”

9. Don’t forget fire safety

When thinking of spring cleaning, one area that may get overlooked is ensuring the risk to your home from fire is minimized.

“Change batteries in smoke detectors (this should be done twice a year) and make sure units are free of dust,” Madeline Buiano said in a spring cleaning article at MarthaStewart.com. “Teach everyone in your household how to use a fire extinguisher, and review escape plans.”

Use the time to check to make sure your fire extinguishers haven’t expired, since the risk of failure increases after they pass the date listed.

10. Reward yourself for your effort

Having a cleaner living space is certainly a reward in its own way, but many resource encourage you to treat yourself as you finish the process to reinforce the benefits.

“After your home is tidy, treat yourself! Go out to dinner, make a sweet treat, or take a long walk in the park,” Strobel said. “Do something that is fun and joyful and celebrate that you implemented these spring cleaning tips!”