Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Subscribe
Save Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 35 One-Pan Meals Just Right for Dinner Tonight

      One pan, pot, skillet, or Instant Pot is all you need to for these no-fuss family dinners, including salmon, pasta, pot roast, chili, and so much more. Read More Next
    • The Best 2021 Bedroom Paint Colors

      Explore the best 2021 bedroom paint colors, according to paint experts. Read More Next
    • The Ultimate Guide to Household Cleaning: What You Should Be Cleaning When

      Our printable checklists will tell you what you should be doing every day, week, month, season—or every once in a while—to keep your home in ship-shape year round. Read More Next
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD

    Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners

    When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. All can be made in 45 minutes or less.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS

    25 Heart-Shaped Treats to Send to Your Valentine

    Sure, flowers are nice, but homemade food gifts are the sweetest tokens of affection—especially when they're heart-shaped.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING

    The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year

    Get inspired to make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME

    How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts

    Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING

    How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Winter

    Help them thrive even when the temperature drops.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor

    You likely wash your hands several times a day, but are you doing so effectively? Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS

    How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home

    Start by carving out a designated work area in your space.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE

    How to Start a Virtual Book Club

    From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice.
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Cleaning & Organizing
  3. 12 Spring Cleaning Basics You Need to Know

12 Spring Cleaning Basics You Need to Know

Updated December 22, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Getty / Kathrin Ziegler

From where to start to the most effective cleaning methods, here's what you need to know. 

Start Slideshow

1 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Credit: Getty / Kathrin Ziegler

You're likely already giving the most highly-trafficked spots in your home a good clean every week, but there's something so satisfying about giving your entire space deep, thorough scrub a couple of times each year. Thinking about doing a little spring cleaning? Don't let the process overwhelm you. While a big organizational overhaul and clean might seem daunting, it's actually pretty manageable if you're armed with the right tools and tactics. That's where we come in.

First up? Deciding where to start. This is often the most difficult aspect of spring cleaning—every room feels equally important, which makes finding your entry point tough. We recommend starting with the space that feels the most manageable—perhaps your entryway closet or the kitchen pantry—and working outwards from there. Be sure to look in every nook, vacuuming, organizing, and taking the opportunity to donate any unused or outdated items. Spring cleaning makes for a great chance to clean out your closet, refrigerator, and even the garage. One easy way to keep the process moving? Create piles for items you'd like to keep, donate, and throw out. As you work through each space, keep the process moving by determining which items belong in each group.

We're also sharing basic areas to take extra care of during your deep clean, such as the often-overlooked refrigerator. Clearing-out your fridge, and even your freezer, is key to cooking with ease. Don't forget the pantry, too. Designating areas for your kids' favorite snacks, your spice rack, and coffee pods will make your mornings—and life—easier.

Finally, you can't forget to clean underfoot. Giving your hardwood floors a good spring clean is essential in maintaining their shine. Ahead, find more spring-cleaning basics to get your home looking and feeling fresh.

1 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Clean Windows

Start the season with a clear outlook; give all of your windows a good clean, both from the inside and outside of your home. Dirty panes are no problem when you use rubber-edged squeegees, which are quicker and more effective than cloth or newspaper. They come in a variety of sizes—and a screw-on extension will let you reach high spots. To start, dip a sponge into a bucket of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Wet the window and rub the dirt away. Then, dampen the squeegee; starting at an upper corner, draw it down pane from top to bottom. Repeat, overlapping strokes and wiping the rubber edge with sponge after each stroke. (For large windows, ''snake'' squeegee back and forth; then touch up edges.) Finally, dry windowsills with a cloth.

2 of 14

3 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dust Lightbulbs

Unscrew lightbulbs and polish the bulbs with a microfiber cloth dampened with water (avoid wetting the metal screw base). Clean the bulbs in recessed ceiling fixtures with a telescoping lamb's wool duster. Then, relish in how much brighter your rooms feel.

3 of 14

Advertisement

4 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Wash Your Blinds

Credit: Courtesy of Annie Schlechter

Once or twice a year, wipe wooden blinds with a few drops of gentle wood cleaner on a nearly dry sponge. Aluminum blinds can be washed outdoors: Place them on an old sheet on a slanted surface, and scrub with water and a noncorrosive cleaner. Use a hose to rinse well, and then dry the blinds thoroughly with a towel to prevent rust.

4 of 14

5 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Stock Your Stain-Fighting Kit

Saving tablecloths and other household fabrics from spilled hot chocolate, wine, gravy, and candle wax, to name a few, is a matter of having the right product on hand. For a printable chart of common stains and what you need to remove them, see our Stain Chart. Replenishing your must-have products during your spring clean will ensure spills are no match for you all year long. 

5 of 14

6 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Update Bed Linens

Credit: Courtesy of Macy's

Replace your bedding for a quick makeover. A bright, red quilt looks great against white sheets and a neutral-toned wall.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Diamond Tufted Velvet Quilt, from $149.99, macys.com.

6 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Switch It Up

Credit: Getty / lll0228

Change the direction of your ceiling fans. While the standard counterclockwise direction provides a pleasant breeze during warm months, you should run the fan clockwise in cold weather. This creates an upward draft, redistributing the warm air hovering near the ceiling throughout the room, thus heating your home more efficiently. Most fans have a switch on the base to adjust the rotation.

7 of 14

8 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Protect Wooden Floors

Credit: Gieves Anderson

Guard against scratches on wooden floors. Make sure there are surface protectors on the undersides of furniture legs, and replace any that are dirty or worn. (A buildup of grit can mar the floor.) Use thick, padded self-adhesive discs; they come in different diameters and can be found at home stores.

8 of 14

9 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Clean Out the Refrigerator

Spring cleaning means giving your entire home a wash—including your refrigerator. Start by removing all of the food items, and cleaning each shelf one by one. Then, toss any expired items, and replace and organize products you'd like to keep. 

  • How to Seriously Deep Clean Your Refrigerator

9 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Restock Homekeeping Supplies

Credit: Kate Mathis

You'll need all-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner, specific products for problem spots such as mildew in tile grout, as well as natural cleansers such as baking soda and vinegar. Stock up on sponges, rags, scrub brushes, and rubber gloves, too.

  • Cleaning Products 101

10 of 14

11 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Deep-Clean Carpets and Rugs

Credit: Courtesy of Pottery Barn Teen

For synthetic carpeting, rent or buy a shampooer/extractor—a machine that cleans the fibers and removes traces of soap using hot water. Open windows and let air flow to help carpets dry. If you have wool carpets or rugs, or any that are valuable or delicate, contact a professional for cleaning.

  • 10 Washable Rugs That Are Stylish and Functional

11 of 14

12 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Clean Your Curtains

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Vacuum and steam-clean curtains or have them dry-cleaned. If you'll be replacing heavy curtains with lighter ones as the weather gets warmer, it is especially important to remove dust and dirt before putting the curtains away for storage.

12 of 14

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Replace Batteries

Credit: Erik Dreyer / Getty Images

You should replace the batteries in your smoke detectors every six months. Use the day you set your clocks back as a reminder, and you'll be unlikely to forget. Change the batteries again in spring, when you set your clocks ahead.

13 of 14

14 of 14

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Don't Forget to Clean Your Machines

Credit: Kate Sears

Cleaning powerhouses like your washing machine and dishwasher need some TLC, too. Be sure to add them to your spring cleaning checklist to ensure they stay in top shape throughout the year. 

  • Do You Need to Clean Your Washing Machine and Dishwasher?

14 of 14

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 14
2 of 14 Clean Windows
3 of 14 Dust Lightbulbs
4 of 14 Wash Your Blinds
5 of 14 Stock Your Stain-Fighting Kit
6 of 14 Update Bed Linens
7 of 14 Switch It Up
8 of 14 Protect Wooden Floors
9 of 14 Clean Out the Refrigerator
10 of 14 Restock Homekeeping Supplies
11 of 14 Deep-Clean Carpets and Rugs
12 of 14 Clean Your Curtains
13 of 14 Replace Batteries
14 of 14 Don't Forget to Clean Your Machines

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Martha Stewart

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service
  • Media Kit
  • Sitemap
  • Martha's Blog
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • FAQ
  • Corporate
  • International

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

View image

12 Spring Cleaning Basics You Need to Know
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.