50 Refreshing Spring Cleaning Hacks

Living in a clean home is one of the most satisfying experiences in life, and something that we should all strive for. Along with a host of benefits, it enhances our mental wellbeing, leaving us feeling more relaxed, and less stressed. 

Of course, achieving the dream of having a spotless home takes work. Cleaning, tidying, and decluttering every room in your house can be exhausting and time-consuming, to say the least. Although this is actually enjoyable for those who like doing household chores, if cleaning is not your forte, look no further because we have listed 50 easy-to-follow spring cleaning tips that will help simplify and speed up common cleaning tasks. 

Let’s get started!

Cleaning Your Lounge Space

Freshen Up Your Carpets

If you have pets or children at home, spills and dirt on the carpet (that lead to foul odours) are unavoidable. To get rid of bad carpet smells, sprinkle liberal amounts of baking soda or bicarbonate over the carpet. Allow it to sit for a few hours or overnight, and then vacuum away. The longer baking soda stays on your carpet, the more smells it will absorb.

You can also deodorise your carpets by making a solution of 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 2 cups of warm water. Once the fizzing stops, spray it on the carpet, and allow it to air-dry. This will help remove funky carpet smells. For a stronger, or more pleasant fragrance, you can add 2-3 drops of your favourite essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus. 

Pick Up Stubborn Pet Hairs from Carpets

Using clean, damp rubber gloves, rub your hands over the areas where stubborn pet hair can be seen even after vacuuming the carpet. The fur will cling to the rubber, therefore making it quick and easy to pick up. Alternatively, you can run a squeegee over the carpet to lift up dust or pet hair that often get pushed into the carpet. 

Kill Bacteria and Odours from Your Couch

First, dust your couch by gently beating the material to dislodge and remove loose dirt and dust. Next, sprinkle some baking soda on it, and leave for approximately 20 minutes. Vacuum the couch thoroughly thereafter. After you have removed the dust, dirt, and odours from your couch, use a handheld steamer to steam clean your entire couch. This will kill bacteria and dust mites, and provide a deeper clean.

Keep Your Cushions Clean & Fresh With Sunlight

Begin by removing the cushion covers, and wash them as per the instructions on their care labels. Then, find a smooth, hard clean surface outside your house, or use the stick of a broom to beat the dust out of the cushion. Allow your cushions to get some sun for a few hours to kill mites and bacteria that could be causing musty or foul odours. Finish off by running a lint remover over the cushions and/or vacuum them to pick up any remaining dust and debris.

Remove White Water Stains from Wood

Mix olive oil and water in equal parts, and apply it to the stain using a clean cloth. Follow the direction of the wood grain, and wipe repeatedly until clean. Wipe the surface dry with a clean cloth thereafter.

Cleaning Your Kitchen 

Clean & Clear Your Kitchen Sink Drain

Pour boiling hot water down the sink a few times to clear up any blockages. To further clear your sink, sprinkle half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. This will help to clear up any grime and dirt that’s down your drain by dissolving it. Repeat if necessary. 

Use Citrus Fruits to Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Cut a citrus fruit like lime or lemon into small bits, and throw them down your garbage disposal unit. When you turn it on, the fruit will not only clear the unit, but leave it smelling fresh, too! 

Make Cloudy Glasses Shine

Glasses can develop a white cloudy film due to the buildup of hard water. To get rid of it, allow the glass to soak in a bowl of white vinegar for 5 minutes, or a solution of vinegar and water (equal parts) for 30 minutes. Finish with a thorough rinse and wipe dry with a microfibre cloth immediately after.

Descale Your Coffee Maker

Add equal parts water and white vinegar to your coffee reservoir pot, and brew until it is almost empty. Allow the coffee pot to cool for about half an hour. Refill with water and brew again to remove any smell of vinegar.

Descale the Inside of a Kettle

To remove limescale from the inside of your kettle, fill it with water and white vinegar in equal proportions, then boil. If there is a lingering smell of vinegar, boil the kettle a few times with plain water.  

Clean Out Your Oven in 3 Steps

The best way to keep your oven clean is to clean up any spills as soon as possible (before the food dries and sticks to the surface). To remove immediate spills effectively, sprinkle salt on the stain, and wipe clean with a cloth when the oven has cooled down. 

For a deep clean of your oven, do the following:

• Remove the oven trays and soak in hot soapy water for about an hour or so before scrubbing with a hard brush or scrubber. 
• Remove any dried-up food along the oven door by scraping with a spatula. 
• Apply a paste of baking soda and water (3:1 ratio) to stubborn stains along the door and interiors of the oven. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes (no longer) and then wipe clean with a damp microfibre cloth. 

Mop the Tiles With Natural Ingredients

Mopping your floors regularly can have an amazing impact on the overall cleanliness of your home. Try to use an eco-friendly cleaning solution like one made from eucalyptus or white vinegar + a few drops of essential oil. With natural floor cleaning solutions, you never have to worry about toxic chemicals being left behind.

Clean Your Microwave Naturally

Add a cup of water to a microwave-safe bowl, and squeeze a cut-up lime or lemon into the water; add the cut bits to it as well. Heat the lime water for 3 - 5 minutes or until it boils. Allow the steam to stay in the microwave for another minute to further loosen grime and grease buildup before taking the bowl out. Wipe the interior surfaces of the microwave with a damp cloth when cool to touch. 

Remove the plate from inside the microwave and wash with dish soap and water. Use a damp, handheld brush or microfibre cloth to remove any leftover bits of food that may sit under the plate. Finally, wipe down the outside of your microwave with water and white vinegar. 

This natural steam-clean method will help dislodge any dried bits of food in the microwave while the citric acid from the fruit will remove lingering odours.

Declutter Your Pantry

Regularly scan the inside of your pantry, checking the expiry dates of stored food and tinned goods. Give away foods you will likely not use before their best before dates, and bin the ones that have already expired. 

Empty your pantry shelves and wipe the shelves using a cloth dampened with a mix of equal parts white vinegar and water. Allow to air dry before restocking. Rearrange your canned goods with the closest expiry dates nearest to the door.

De-grease Kitchen Cabinets

The outside of your cabinets can get greasy with all the oils from cooking, and grubby hands touching them. For a simple yet effective clean, mix water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle; spritz the outer surface and scrub with a mild abrasive, paying more attention to areas with built-up grime. Wipe the cabinets with a damp cloth after, and dry with a lint-free cloth. 

Give Your  Kitchen Counters a Good Scrub

Using a mixture of equal parts vinegar to water, wipe down your kitchen counter every day to keep it clean. As part of your spring cleaning checklist, deep clean kitchen counters to remove additional grime or oil buildup by sprinkling some baking soda over the counter, followed by a few sprays of white vinegar to wet the powder. As it bubbles over, it will loosen the dirt, therefore making it easy to wipe clean with a damp microfibre cloth. 

Self-Wash the Dishwasher

Dishwashers tend to have an accumulation of leftover food that collects near the drain. Take out the bottom tray and the mesh to remove unwanted grime from the bottom of the dishwasher. Then use a brush and cloth to eliminate grime along the drain trap until all the debris is removed. Place a dishwasher-safe bowl with vinegar on the top shelf, and turn the empty dishwasher on. Once finished, discard the vinegar, and allow the interior to air-dry.

Get Rid of Stains on Cutting Boards

Rub a cut lemon or lime over the entire cutting board to remove smells and stains. If you need extra cleaning power, sprinkle some baking soda or salt onto the board first, and then scrub. The added abrasion and cleansing properties of either ingredients help to scrub away stains, and neutralise odours.

Clean & Sterilise Your Garbage Bin

Empty your garbage bin, and hose it down in the garden. Spray with a strong solution of 1 part vinegar, 1 part water, and a small amount of dishwashing liquid; then scrub with a sponge and rinse thoroughly. Air-dry the bin in the sun before spraying the interior and exterior with your preferred disinfectant spray. Do not wipe after; allow the disinfectant to dry on the surface,

Clean Your Gas Stove Top

Remove the stove grates and soak them in water mixed with dishwashing liquid or a dishwashing tablet. Take out the burners and wipe clean with a degreaser or a baking soda paste. Use a scouring pad to remove hard-to-clean bits, and then wipe clean with a damp cloth. 

Detach the burner knobs, and wash with dishwashing liquid. Don’t forget to clean the area under the knobs. Lastly, apply a baking soda paste to the stove top, and wipe it all clean with a damp microfibre cloth.

Remove Burnt Stains Inside Cooking Pots

Add some water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the pot or pan, and boil away. After 2 – 3 minutes of simmering, allow the water to cool, and wash the pot as you typically would. 

Cleaning Your Bedroom

Clear Out Your Vanity Table

We are all guilty of hoarding creams, gels, nail polish, and cosmetic products way past their expiry dates. This results in a big mess of clutter on our vanity counter that is often overlooked during regular cleaning. When spring cleaning your home, purge the items sitting on your vanity table, ensuring to safely dispose of expired products. Give all the bottles a quick wipe down with a damp microfibre cloth, as well as the entire table to get rid of dust and/or cream rings on the surface. 

Deep Clean Your Mattress

It is recommended to clean your mattress every few months as it can collect body oils, sweat, dead skin, and dust mites. To deep clean it, vacuum both sides of the mattress including the edges and sides. Follow this up with a steam clean to kill dust mites and remove light stains. For a deeper clean and refreshed mattress, make a mix of Eucalyptus essential oil and water, lightly spray it over the material, and then steam clean. Allow the mattress to fully dry before putting on clean sheets.

Dust & De-stain the Blinds

If possible, take down the blinds so that you can dust and spot-clean stains faster and more easily. When laid flat, you can vacuum up the dust off the blinds using the smallest dusting tool. For stains, make a mild soapy solution with warm water and liquid dish detergent; dampen a microfiber cloth in it, and gently scrub away stains. If needed, wipe down each slat (on both sides) from one end to the other. 

Organise Your Closet Space

Follow the Marie Kondo techniques of folding clothes to help you organise your closet better. These folding styles also allow you to take out a single piece of clothing without the others toppling over. Additionally, regularly decluttering and reducing your clothes will help keep your closet space organised for longer periods of time. 

Re-organise Your Linen Closet

Adding dividers (like hard rectangle cardboard pieces), baskets, or over-the-door racks can help you sort your linen more efficiently. It also helps to periodically declutter your linen cabinets and closets to get rid of items you no longer use.

Cleaning Your Bathroom Space

Clean & Disinfect Counters

Scrub your bathroom counters with an all-purpose cleaner and a sponge or cloth. Once dry, spray the surface with a disinfectant, and allow it to air-dry.

Give Your Toilet a Thorough Clean

Pour 1 cup of baking soda, and then 1 cup of white vinegar into your toilet bowl. Allow the ingredients to sit for 30 minutes and then flush. Pour your regular toilet cleaner around the inside of the bowl, allow it to sit for 5 minutes, and then scrub with a hard bristle brush before flushing to rinse off the cleaner. 

Spray a disinfectant cleaner along the top and bottom of the toilet seat, as well as the outer rim of the toilet bowl. Then, using a fresh piece of toilet paper for each section, wipe down the surfaces.

Scrub the Tub for That Extra Shine

Hose all around the inside of the bathtub with warm water. Sprinkle baking soda along the surface of the tub and let it sit. In about 2 litres of warm water, add 2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid, and use this to gently scrub the tub with a sponge. Make sure to get around the edges and taps. If needed, sprinkle some baking soda on any stubborn grime and scrub with the wet brush. Rinse the tub thoroughly and wipe dry with a microfibre cloth to prevent the formation of water marks. 

Clean the Glass Door Around the Shower

Make your own cleaning solution in a spray bottle with 1 cup of water, 1 cup of white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. Spray the solution on the glass and allow it to sit for 5 minutes; then gently scrub with a soft sponge, and rinse off with warm water. Wipe dry with a squeegee from top to bottom.

To remove hard water stains on the shower panes, make a thick paste of 1 cup baking soda with some white vinegar. After the fizzing stops, use a sponge or microfibre cloth to apply the paste along the glass panes, and allow it to soak for approximately 10 minutes before rinsing and drying. 

Remove Grime & Soap Scum from Your Fibreglass Shower

To get rid of heavy soap scum from fibreglass, make a paste with baking soda, a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, and some white vinegar. Spread the paste on the fibreglass, and wait for 15 to 30 minutes before you rinse and dry the surface.

If you’re dealing with tough stains on your fibreglass, make a paste with some borax and lemon juice instead. Apply it to the stained area and leave for 15 minutes. Finish off by wiping the paste away with a clean cloth, dry immediately after. 

De-grime the Shower Walls

Using an equal mix of white vinegar and water, spray the tiled walls from top to bottom and, before the solution dries on the surface, scrub clean with a non-abrasive cleaning tool. Wipe the shower tiles dry after rinsing them. 

Clean the Mirrors

Make a non-toxic cleaning solution of 1 cup water, 1 cup rubbing alcohol, and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Shake it up and mist-spray the cleaner onto your bathroom mirror. Use either paper towels or crushed newspaper sheets to wipe the mirror in circular motions until clean and free of streaks. This mixture can also be used on hard tiles.  

Wash Your Plastic Shower Curtains

For a quick clean, make a mix of 4 parts water to 1 part white vinegar and spray liberally onto the plastic curtain. Leave for a minute and then rinse and air-dry the curtain. 

To get rid of mould on shower curtains, make a solution of 1 part water with 2 parts hydrogen peroxide, and spray the affected area. Leave for 5 to 10 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. If needed, take the shower curtain down, and scrub baking soda on any harder hit areas; rinse and hang it back up to dry, ensuring that the plastic isn’t bunched up, and that the window and door are open to create more ventilation for quicker drying.

Remove Mould from Indoor Walls

Spray hydrogen peroxide directly onto the mouldy area and wait for 10 minutes or until the bubbling stops. Then, using a soft brush or cloth, gently scrub to remove the mould. Avoid saturating the wall and scrubbing hard as this may damage the paint finish. Once cleaned, dry the wall with a clean, dry cloth. 

Clean the Grout Lines

Sprinkle baking soda along the tile grout; use a toothbrush to push the excess powder into the surrounding lines. Spray a mix of 1:1 white vinegar and warm water over the baking soda. After it bubbles, scrub with a medium bristle nylon brush or grout brush. Rinse and wipe clean. Keep in mind that vinegar should only be used on sealed grout.

Deep Clean Your Washing Machine

Remove the detergent drawer and filter of the washing machine and soak in warm, soapy water. Wipe any residue off the edges of the drawer and the rubber ring of the washing machine drum with a sponge. Make a cleaning solution with 1 cap of white vinegar, 1 heaped spoon of baking soda, and water; combine well and spray inside the drum. Use a clean microfibre cloth to wipe the inside clean. Replace all the parts when dry, and run an empty, hot water wash to rinse and kill bacteria in your washing machine. 

Clean the Dryer

Unplug the dryer and pull it away from the wall. Take off the vent, and vacuum the inside as far as you can using just the hose of the vacuum cleaner. Remove dust and lint buildup on visible components using a dry dust cloth. Be sure to clean the vent as well before you fix it back on.

Cleaning Stainless Steel Bathroom Fittings

Make a mild solution of dishwashing liquid and water, dip a sponge in it, and wipe down stainless steel surfaces like faucets, pipes, and other bathroom fittings. Rinse off and wipe dry. Do not use rough or abrasive scrubbers/cleaners as this can scratch the steel. To remove hard water stains on stainless steel, grab some parchment paper, scrunch it up, and rub the steel. 

Clean & Unclog Your Shower Head

If possible, remove your shower head and allow it to soak in equal parts of water and white vinegar. This will help remove clogs in the shower head while loosening any dirt and grime buildup. If you are unable to remove the shower head, take a small plastic bag (like a sandwich bag) and fill it with 2:1 white vinegar and water. Using an elastic band or string, tie it around the shower head arm, making sure that the holes are submerged in the mixture. Leave it on for 1 to 2 hours and remove. Run the shower for a few seconds to rinse off the solution.

Cleaning Your Personal Items

Dust & Wipe Your Bags Clean

Using a dry cloth, wipe away dust and loose dirt. Give it a second wipe down with a clean, microfibre cloth dampened with a colourless disinfectant.

Disinfect Your Phone, Remote Controls, Mouse, etc

Phones can be a hotbed of micro-organisms. On a bi-weekly basis, wipe your phone, remote controls, mouse, and other handheld devices with a disinfectant solution of Lysol, alcohol, or Clorox and water. A paper towel can be used for this by simply spraying it with the solution and then wiping down the items. Follow this up with a dry wipe down to remove any moisture. 

Eliminate Odour from Smelly Shoes

When the inside of the shoe is completely dry, sprinkle some baking soda into each one, and tap it down to spread the powder into the tips of the shoes. Knock the powder out after an hour or so. This will help deodorise it. 

Get Rid of Peculiar Smells in the House

Boil a small pot of water with either some ground coffee, bits of lemon/lime, or spices like cloves and cinnamon to eliminate fishy smells and musty odours in the home. 

Polish Your Silver Cutlery or Jewellery

If you need to add shine to your dulled silver items at home, make a paste of baking soda and water (3:1 ratio); wet the items, then using a clean, damp microfiber cloth, buff the paste onto the piece till its shine is restored. Rinse with clean water and dry with a cloth after. 

Cleaning the Exterior Space of Your Home

Sweep the Outside of Your Home

Regularly sweeping leaves and dust from the surroundings of your house is a great way to keep your home looking well maintained. One option is to use a blower which is quick and handy if you need to cover large areas at a time. Along with spring cleaning, regular maintenance will help prevent debris from piling up in your garden which can become a home for all sorts of creepy crawlies! 

Clean Exterior Windows

Eucalyptus cleaning solutions are great for cleaning glass surfaces without leaving streaks. Make a DIY cleaner with a teaspoon of the essential oil and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Liberally spray the window and use a squeegee to wipe the water away from top to bottom. After each wipe with the squeegee, wipe the blade/edge with a clean damp cloth and reuse. 

Wash Your Car & Clean the Interiors

Regularly wipe down the seats of your car with a damp microfibre cloth. For leather seats, use a specially formulated cleaning solution for the material, followed by a leather protector. Vacuum the carpets and other interior surfaces that accumulate dust. Use a damp cloth to wipe the dashboard, and a glass cleaner for the interior glass. Wash the car exterior last with your preferred car cleaning product. 

Clean Your Patio Furniture

Add a few drops of dish detergent to some water to make a mild cleaning solution. Remove dust and dirt from the patio furniture with a dry cloth, and then dip a clean cloth or sponge in the solution and wipe down the pieces. If the furniture can be hosed down, we advise doing this first, before wiping each piece with a cleaning solution. Rinse with clean water or a damp cloth thereafter.  

Get Rid of Mildew

If you live in a humid, tropical climate, there is a good chance that the outdoor space (as well as areas and objects inside your home) will be prone to mildew spores. To remove it, make a spray of water, white vinegar, a few drops of tea tree oil and clove essential oil. Spray the items down and wipe clean with a cloth. 

While there is a lot to do when it comes to spring cleaning your home, when you realise how simple and quick most tasks can be, it really helps with staying focused, motivated, and making good progress! Use the spring cleaning tips above to guide you in getting your whole house, inside and outside, cleaned faster and more efficiently than you could’ve imagined! For assistance or a professional spring cleaning service, don’t hesitate to reach out to MaidForYou for a thorough house cleaning like never before!