11 Free Printable Checklists to Help You Conquer Spring Cleaning

Deep Clean Your Most-Used Appliances

Whether it’s your fridge, microwave, washing machine, toaster, or coffee machine — now is the perfect time to give your household appliances a good scrub with some cleaning tips. A deep clean keeps them working in tip-top shape and can keep you healthy. Over time, grease, grime, and food particles can accumulate, affecting just how well your machines work or how clean their output becomes.

How Long Should It Take: Approximately 1-2 hours, depending on the number and type of appliances.

Level of Difficulty: Moderate

How To: Each appliance will have its own cleaning requirements, but here's a general overview.

1. Declutter or remove everything from inside the appliance. That could mean taking everything off the shelves of the fridge, or disposing of your coffee maker's filter and grounds. This is an excellent time to dispose of expired foods or takeout you’re never going to eat.
2. Take out any removable parts and soak them in warm, soapy water. Dish soap and warm water in your sink work well.
3. Wipe down surfaces with a suitable cleaning solution. I like vinegar and baking soda because it gets rid of odors and the chemical reaction can actually lift grime and dirt. Plus they’re both food-safe.
4. Vacuum or wipe dust from coils, vents, filters, etc. Trust me, if you’ve never done this before — you will be horrified and never forget to do it again.
5. Reassemble and restock.

Clear & Clean Your Gutters (& Check Your Roof While You’re Up There)

No one likes to realize their home has water damage, and regularly cleaning gutters and inspecting the roof will keep the surprises to a minimum. Leaves, debris, and even pests can accumulate in gutters, leading to clogs and water overflow that can damage your home's roof and foundation. Make sure you’ve cleared those gutters to keep rainwater flowing, especially if your home has lots of trees around it.

How Long Should It Take: 2-4 hours, depending on the size of your home

Level of Difficulty: Moderate

How To: Adjust this tip depending on if you live in a single- or multi-level home, and make sure to practice extra caution — feel free to have someone nearby keep an eye on you.

1. Safely climb a ladder to access gutters. Have someone hold the ladder for you and make sure to wear shoes with a good tred and ankle support.
2. Remove debris by hand or with a gutter scoop (make sure to wear safety gloves!). You’ll most likely find wet leaf clumps. Leaves fall into the gutters and when it rains, they stick together, clogging up your home’s way of redirecting water. You can use a leaf blower to lift some of the gunk too.
3. Once the big pieces are out, flush out remaining dirt. Then, run a hose down the gutters to check for leaks. Take note of where the water funnels out and make sure it’s away from the house, ideally downhill towards your street’s gutters or another water source.
4. Inspect the roof for damaged shingles or potential issues. Carefully walk the roof and feel for “soft spots,” where sitting water may have soaked into the roof, compromising the structural integrity. Cracks, punctures, or corrosion are common, but fixable.
5. Make the necessary repairs or consult a professional for assistance. Many fixes can be done by simply visiting your local hardware store. But for any extensive damage, be sure to call your home insurance company first, and then a recommended professional.

Protect Your Home From Pests

As the weather starts warming up, you may notice a few unwanted guests. Spring is a time when pests become more active, so don’t skip your pest maintenance or you’ll spend summer swatting away mosquitoes! Preventing infestations early on helps protect your home from potential damage and can make outdoor relaxation much more enjoyable.

How Long Should It Take: 1-2 hours, depending on the size of your home

Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

How To:

1. Seal cracks and crevices to prevent entry points. The first line of protection is prevention. Bugs come in through windows, doors, crawlspaces, porches, and more. Do a quick walkabout to ID any potential entry points and close them off.
2. Remove standing water. Mosquitos love a resort-style pool so make sure your yard and surrounding areas are draining properly. Don’t let planters, wheelbarrows, chairs, or buckets fill with water. Turn them upside down to avoid creating bugs’ ideal vacation spot.
3. Trim vegetation and keep a distance between plants and your home. Plants bring bugs and while they’re not all bad, if they’re too close to your house, they may try to break in. Keep everything manicure to avoid a breeding ground for bugs of any kind.
4. Use natural repellents or consult with a pest control professional. Many pest control companies will come quarterly or monthly to spray and keep pests at bay. If you prefer to do it yourself, there are plenty of at-home kits or natural ways to deter bugs, like repellent plants or essential oils. Bugs are deterred by lavender, basil, peppermint, citronella, mint, and rosemary. Other solutions include neem oil, dryer sheets, vinegar, and Diatomaceous earth.
5. Regularly inspect and clean areas prone to pests, such as basements and attics. Be vigilant, and stay on top of those suckers!

Declutter Closets/Donate:

This spring cleaning checklist definitely extends to decluttering closets, creating a more organized and spacious living environment. Donating unused items not only reduces clutter but also benefits those in need. You’ll be better to make some space and your home will be easier to maintain. Looking to make some extra money? Try these sites for selling your clothes.

How Long Should It Take: 4-6 hours, depending on the size of your closet.

Level of Difficulty: Easy

How To:

1. Remove all items from the closet. Sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better. Don’t let the chaos deter you — it’s a crucial step in the process!
2. Sort items into keep, donate, and discard piles. Channel your inner Marie Kondo and ask “does this bring me joy?” If the answer is no — let it go. Also consider how frequently you wear or use the item. If it’s been six months or more (and the item is in season), you can probably live without it.
3. Clean and vacuum the closet space. Say goodbye to dust bunnies and hello to a blank slate. Wipe everything down and give your clothes or other items a clean place to live.
4. Organize remaining items by category or use. For clothing, some people like to organize by color, others by article of clothing like jeans, sweaters, and tees. Find a system that not only looks nice but will easy to maintain. If you find yourself never putting your sweaters back on their hangers, maybe find some baskets to fold and store them in instead.
5. Donate gently-used items to local charities or organizations. Or at least take it to your car. It’s ok if it sits there for three months. You’ll get to it eventually.

Change HVAC Filter

Changing the HVAC filter on your heating and air conditioning is a simple yet crucial maintenance task that enhances indoor air quality, improves system efficiency, and extends the life of your HVAC unit. While you're at it, there are plenty of filters throughout your home that need to be cleaned or replaced including your water filters, air purifiers, and laundry filters. Keep a running list of each.

How Long Should It Take: 5-10 minutes

Level of Difficulty: Easy

How To:

1. Turn off the HVAC system. You don’t want it to be blowing air out while you’re dusting and cleaning.
2. Locate the filter access panel. It’s usually on a wall and looks like a grate with a small door that open and closes. You may even notice dust accumulating on the outside. Go ahead and vacuum that.
3. Pull out the old filter and place the new one in. I buy filters in bulk so I have 6-12 at a time. I replace my filter once a month and only have to purchase filters 1-2 times a year. Each unit will have specific filters or sizes. Consider buying higher end filters if you have lots of pets or live somewhere that’s dusty or sandy often.
4. Install a new filter, ensuring it's positioned correctly. It should slide right in, filling the existing hole in your system.
5. Turn the HVAC system back on and keep an eye on it.

​Other Home Maintenance Tasks To Add To Your Spring Cleaning Checklist

• Check your windows and doors, and their weatherstripping, to ensure a proper seal and prevent drafts.
• If you’ve been using your fireplace all winter, give it a good clean before closing it up for the season.
• Fluctuating temperatures can be hard on your pipes. Inspect them for leaks or corrosion.
• Prepare your outdoor living space for epic get-togethers. Wipe down patio furniture and clean your grill.

Looking for a full list of home maintenance tasks for your spring cleaning checklist? Check out my Homeowner Handbook, which includes seasonal cleaning tasks that make caring for your home so much easier. In addition to checklists for every season, it also includes an easy way to organize your home DIY projects, warranties and key home information, as well as a glossary of helpful terms and power tool cheat sheets.

The goal in keeping up with home maintenance is not only to keep your home looking beautiful, but to protect your investment and ultimately YOU. A healthy environment makes for a healthier you. And if we can avoid costly repairs by checking a few times each year, why wouldn’t we? Just a few hours a week can mean the difference between spending your bonus on a summer vacation or a new HVAC unit.

Together, we can hold each other accountable and tackle those daunting yet necessary tasks. If no one has told you today, I’m proud of you for creating and caring for your home, and by extension, yourself!

Desk Drawer Organizer

Use this set of 32 containers in your desk, cabinets, closets, and more to organize all the little necessities in your life, from pencils and pens to makeup and hair accessories.

Get a Grip Mop and Broom Organizer

Install shelves, hooks, and racks on walls to make use of all your vertical space for storage. This can free up floor space and make your small space feel less cluttered.

Wall-Mounted Mail Organizer

Add this to your entry area for incoming mail, bills, and all the things you need outside, like keys and bags.

Mobile Filing Cabinet

Declutter your digital space by organizing files into folders, unsubscribing from unnecessary emails, and deleting old or unused apps.This filing cabinet doesn't look like your typical cabinet and can store all your tech, like your printer and charging station.

12-Pack Storage Bins

You can never have too many storage bins. This colorful 12-piece set can be used for art supplies, pantry items, socks, nursery items and more.

Backseat Organizer

Got kids? Car messes are a given. Create a backseat organizing station to keep messes at bay.

Makeup and Nail Polish Organizer

Makeup can make a mess in your bathroom. Store it all away in this neat caddy.

Art Supply Organizer

Stow away art supplies, from yarn to paint to kids art supplies, in this colorful rolling organizer.

16 Pair Shoe Storage Cabinet

Keep shoes organized and your floors clear with this 16-pair cabinet.

Pant Hangers

Use slimline hangers to maximize closet space. You can also hang multiple items like scarves, belts, or ties on a single hanger using shower curtain rings.

Shelf Dividers

Keep sweaters, blankets, scarves and more tidy with these handy shelf dividers.

Sweater Organizer

Store seasonal items in these containers for when winter fades away.

Yamazaki Purse Organizer

Keep your favorite bags organized in your closet for easy reach.

6-Shelf Hanging Closet Organizer

Take advantage of vertical space with two three-shelf hanging shelves with three drawers for the perfectly organized closet on a budget!

Etsy Personalized Earring Holder

Organize your earrings with these sweet holders you can personalize. They make great gifts!

DIY Dreamcatcher Earring Caddy

Prefer to DIY? Check out this throwback project that gives your earrings good vibes and keeps them easily within view. (via Brit + Co.)

Jewelry Organizer With Earring Tray

Organize your necklaces, bracelets and earrings with this minimal jewelry organizer.

The Ultimate DIY Accessory Organizer

If all your jewelry won't fit on this huge organizer, you might have a hoarding problem. (Guilty!) (via Brit + Co.)

LED Light Jewelry Organizer

Keep your jewerly hidden in this vanity-style box with LED light.

DIY Wall Jewelry Organizer With Frame Front

We love the look of this for earrings and necklaces, and we could slide a few love notes in the picture frame front. (via House Full of Handmade)

Etsy Wipeable Weekly Planner

Let's not forget mental organization — it's just as important as home organization.

DIY Magnetic Whiteboard Calendar

Get your life organized with a weekly planner that's in clear view. Update every week! (via Damask Love)

Canvas Half-Wall Organizer

This elegant wall organizer is perfect for crafts, gardening, desk and art supplies -- all the little things you need in life.

DIY Wooden Bungee Organizer

Why settle for a boring shelf when you can easily make these? (via Brit + Co.)

Boho Printed Laundry Hamper

Brighten your laundry day with this boho-painted hamper.

Painted Laundry Basket

We're not sure if all the wash would actually get put away if we had one of these, but we'd still like to try it out and see if it solves our laundry pile issues. (via Brit + Co)

Filerix Portfolio Organizer with Clipboard

This organizer keeps your wallet, notes, calendar, receipts, and more organized in one pretty place.

DIY Notebook Organizer with Envelopes

This is genius! We're always tucking notes and receipts and business cards and who knows what into our notebooks, and now there is a great way to keep it all in there. (via Simple As That)

Skip Hop Grab & Go Stackable Food Container Set

Keep kid snacks organized for lunch and on the go with this stackable food container.

Repurpose Easter Eggs as Snack Containers

Does anyone else have a ton of plastic eggs lying around post-Easter? Now we for sure won't be throwing ours out. Yay for upcycling! (via A Kailo Chic Life)

World Market Natural Seagrass Utility Basket

Use these storage bins to store items in closets, under beds, or in cabinets.

DIY Storage Basket Centerpiece

It's amazing what you can do with some crates and paint. (via Brit + Co)

H&M Rainbow Hanger Rack

DIY Rainbow Hook Organizer Rack

This ivory rainbow organizer is a total DIY masterpiece. Consider hanging it by the front door for keys. (via A Bubbly Life)

Scout Regalia Wall Rack

Make a statement with this colorful wall rack in the kitchen, bedroom, or entry.

DIY Accessory Organizer

Admire your accessories with this simple shelf organizer, which is a total upgrade for any entryway. (via Brit + Co)

Wayfair Ladder Bookcase

Available in more than 10 colors, this ladder bookcase is the perfect addition to your living room.

DIY Ladder Shelf

Add some storage to that neglected corner with this easy to DIY ladder shelf. (via Brit + Co)

Storage Rack Boltless Shelving

Easy to assemble, these five adjustable shelves will keep your books and things organized and within reach.

DIY Modular Crate Bookcase

What a cute way to turn old crates into a colorful storage unit. Try a mix of colors for a mod effect. (via Brit + Co)

Before we get into peppermint hot chocolate season, give this pumpkin hot cocoa a try. It features a dose of dark rum but if you want to leave that out, it will still taste amazing.

Roasted eggplants get an extra dose of flavor with a tomato sauce featuring onion and garlic. Chickpeas also add another texture.

These fries add some healthy fat into your diet while also keeping things gluten-free. Sounds good to us.

Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food as far as we're concerned. Making it in the slow cooker makes it easier than ever.

This might be your average comfort food but it's got two of the most important elements: dough and cheese. The spice adds a nice flavor contrast as well.

Pasta dishes make for excellent weeknight dinners because they're easy, warm, and filling.

The next time you go to bake cookies, get a lesson from chocolatier Jacques Torres with this recipe. Our favorite part of the recipe? Adding a little bit of salt on top.

There's no need to use the stove top for this streamlined baked ziti recipe that only requires a few ingredients, making it a perfect choice for a weeknight meal.

This easy and soul-warming soup — perfect on a cold, rainy day — gets a flavor boost from smoked paprika.

Don't be put off by the time and labor required to make this recipe: These savory, rich and creamy veggie-packed potpies topped with flaky vegan biscuits are totally worth it!

When only creamy, decadent mac and cheese will satisfy your desire for classic comfort food, this recipe featuring vegan cream cheese and vegan parmesan hits the spot. Plus, it's ready in 20 minutes! Add your favorite veggies, like broccoli, peas or carrots, to get more "plants" into your dish.

With a complex and flavorful broth spiked with ginger, cloves, star anise, white peppercorns and coriander seeds, this Vietnamese-inspired soup is pure comfort in a bowl.

This vegan version of classic French onion soup evokes the rich, satisfying flavor of the original, thanks to the savory broth made with caramelized onions, red wine and soy sauce and croutons topped with gooey cashew cheese.

Loaded up with your favorite toppings and condiments, these easy kidney bean burgers will be your new game night go-to. Bonus points: The recipe requires only five ingredients!

Tuck into a bowl of creamy coconut milk-infused chickpea curry spiked with Indian spices—so yummy over basmati rice!

This super satisfying one-pot meal features a layer of creamy mashed potatoes atop gravy-laden veggies that have been sautéed with red wine and fresh herbs. Make it vegan by using olive oil instead of the butter and a splash of nondairy milk in the potatoes.

An old-school favorite gets a new school update: Sweet, tangy spiced lentils take the place of ground beef in this hearty plant-based take on sloppy Joes. Try it with a side of vegan slaw—yum!

Banana bread is already delicious, but add in chocolate *and* pumpkin and you have something that is unbeatable.