Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home, clear out the clutter, and make room for the things that matter most. Whether you’re a seasoned spring cleaner or tackling the job for the first time, having a game plan can make all the difference. And if you find yourself surrounded by items you’re not ready to part with but don’t really need around the house every day, a self-storage unit can be the secret weapon to reclaiming your space without regret.
Here’s your room-by-room spring cleaning guide, complete with checklists, essential supplies, and ways to maximize your home using secure, convenient storage options.
Benefits of Springtime Cleaning
While a lot of people use spring cleaning as a time to put away bulky seasonal items and make space for warmer weather, there are actually a lot more benefits to this seasonal hack. Some of the most impressive benefits of spring cleaning include:
Improve indoor air quality
Reduce allergens like dust and mold
Relieve stress and anxiety
Increase productivity and focus
Extend the life of your belongings and appliances
When paired with home storage, you can make more space for you and your family and improve the overall aesthetics of your home.
Start With a Mindset Shift
Before you break out the mop and rubber gloves, it helps change your thoughts about your space. Spring cleaning is less about cleaning around your stuff and more about editing your life.
Ask yourself:
Do I use this regularly?
Does this item serve a purpose or bring joy?
Could this live better in storage than in my living room?
Tip: Use the “One-Year Rule”—if you haven’t used it in a year and it’s not seasonal, it’s time to toss, donate, or store.
Storage Solution: Create two categories of storage needs:
Seasonal/Temporary Storage: For holiday decor, winter clothes, and patio furniture.
Long-Term Storage: For heirlooms, extra furniture, archived files, or baby items, you’re saving for the future.
This will help you approach the spring cleaning season with intention, giving you plenty of options to help you decide what to do with your belongings.
Gather All Your Supplies for the Ultimate Deep Clean
Once you’ve set your intention and channeled your inner Marie Kondo, it’s time to start the preparations. To make things easier, create a cubby or carrying case filled with all the essential cleaning products. This will help ensure you have everything on hand, whether you need to wipe, scrub, dust, or freshen. Some of the most important cleaning supplies to include in your inventory include:
Microfiber cloths (washable and reusable)
HEPA vacuum with attachments
Broom and dustpan
Steam mop or floor mop
Extendable duster
Squeegee for windows and mirrors
All-purpose cleaner
White vinegar (natural disinfectant)
Baking soda (odor and stain remover)
Magic erasers
Glass cleaner
Disinfectant spray/wipes
Degreaser
Rubber gloves
Garbage bags
Lint roller
Paper towels and rags
Sponges
A bucket with warm, soapy water
How to Spring Clean a House Room by Room
Every room should have some general cleaning tasks, regardless of what it’s used for. These include cleaning the baseboards, dusting the corners, vacuuming, mopping, and cleaning any rugs or carpets. Decluttering is also recommended in every room, as this will help you get the most out of your space and ensure you go into the warmer seasons with a clear mind (and home!).
Without further ado, here is your spring cleaning checklist for each room of your house.
Living Room
As the heart of the home, your living room sees a lot of traffic—movie nights, guests, pets, and everyday clutter. A thorough spring cleaning here sets the tone for the rest of your house and helps create a calming, welcoming space.
Checklist:
Dust every surface (start high and work your way down)
Wipe baseboards and molding
Clean light switches and remote controls
Vacuum furniture—under cushions and beneath sofas
Rotate and fluff pillows
Clean upholstered furniture
Sanitize light fixtures and ceiling fans
Steam clean or shampoo area rugs
Steam clean or wash curtains and window treatments
Clean windows
Polish wood furniture
Organize media cabinets and remove unused electronics
Kitchen
Your kitchen has likely been working overtime, from holiday cooking to cozy winter meals. Spring is the perfect time to give it a deep clean, reorganize the pantry, and set yourself up for fresh, seasonal cooking.
Checklist:
Empty and deep clean the fridge and freezer
Dust refrigerator coils
Defrost freezer (if needed)
Scrub the oven, stove, and range hood
Clean inside and outside cabinets
Sanitize counters and backsplash grout
Organize the pantry by category (grains, canned goods, snacks)
Toss expired spices, oils, and dry goods
Wipe down small appliances
Clean the dishwasher filter and run a vinegar cycle
Bedrooms
Your bedroom should be your retreat, but cluttered closets and dusty corners can disrupt your sleep and peace of mind. With a few cleaning hacks, you can turn this space into the restful haven it’s meant to be.
Checklist:
Wash all bedding (pillows, comforter, mattress pad)
Flip or rotate the mattress
Clean your mattress
Vacuum under the bed and behind the furniture
Clean nightstands and lamps
Organize and declutter the closet by season
Purge accessories and unused shoes
Dust blinds and wash curtains
Donate or store clothing you don’t wear often
Bathrooms
Bathrooms tend to build up grime in hidden places, especially during colder months when ventilation is low. A detailed clean not only boosts hygiene but also makes your daily routines more pleasant.
Checklist:
Clean grout with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste
Scrub the toilet, sink, and tub
Clean mirrors and fixtures
Wash the shower curtain and bath mats
Wipe down walls and ceiling to remove moisture buildup
Empty cabinets and toss expired products
Sanitize the toothbrush holders and trash cans
Home Office
If you’re working from home, your workspace greatly affects your productivity and focus. Spring cleaning your office can help reduce distractions, increase efficiency, and make remote work feel a little less chaotic.
Checklist:
Shred old paperwork
Sort documents into keep/store/recycle piles
Sanitize keyboard, mouse, and screen
Clear cable clutter with zip ties
Wipe shelves and organizers
Restock office supplies neatly
Laundry Room
A tidy laundry room can make even the most mundane chores more manageable. Organizing this space helps you keep up with laundry more efficiently and reduces stress on busy days.
Checklist:
Wipe down the washer/dryer (don’t forget the lint trap and vents)
Clean behind and underneath appliances
Organize detergents, softeners, and supplies
Sanitize countertops and the utility sink
Mop floors
Garage, Basement, and Attic
These storage-heavy zones often become catch-alls for forgotten boxes and seasonal overflow. Spring is the ideal time to reclaim these spaces, sort what you truly need, and clear the clutter using off-site storage.
Checklist:
Group items into categories: tools, camping gear, decor, sports equipment, etc.
Sweep and dust every corner
Toss or donate unused items
Install shelving or wall hooks for better organization
Use heavy-duty bins with weather-tight lids
Additional Cleaning Tasks
If you feel like going above and beyond with your to-do list this spring, there are a few additional things you can add to your checklist. These include things like:
Wash exterior windows and screens
Power wash sidewalks and siding
Clean air vents and replace HVAC filters
Clean light fixtures and chandeliers
Wash trash cans and recycling bins
Touch up the paint on walls and trim
Spring cleaning is all about creating a fresh start, and sometimes, that means letting go of things cluttering your space but not your life. A self-storage unit is the perfect solution for items you don’t use daily but aren’t quite ready to part with. Moving these things out of your home and into a secure storage unit frees up valuable space and makes room for the things that matter most.
To help complement your spring cleaning tasks, partner with The Lock Up Self Storage today. We offer temperature-controlled self-storage units in a variety of sizes to help supplement your home’s storage space. All our units are climate-controlled with stable humidity levels to keep your belongings in excellent condition, regardless of how long you need to keep them in storage. Our facilities are also protected with top-of-the-line security features such as perimeter alarms, gated access codes, and 24/7 CCTV. For more information about our available self-storage units and sizing options, contact us at 1-866-327-LOCK or visit one of our locations for a tour.
