Seasonal Cleaning Checklist: What to Clean Every Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Let’s be honest: the only thing most people “clean” by season is the barbecue after it snows. But if you want your house to survive the year without growing its own ecosystem, you need a plan.

Here’s a no-nonsense, slightly judgy checklist to keep your home from becoming a wildlife preserve—season by season. 

Spring: The “Let’s See the Sunlight Again” Clean

• Wash windows (inside and out—yes, even the one you pretend isn’t there)
• Deep clean carpets and rugs (time to evict those winter dust colonies)
• Wipe down baseboards, doors, and trim (they’re dirtier than you think)
• Declutter closets—donate what you won’t wear (your “maybe someday” jeans are lying to you)
• Clean behind and under furniture (welcome to lost-sock land)
• Swap and wash bedding, flip the mattress (do it for your back—and your nose)
• Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans (so dust doesn’t start raining down with the first warm breeze)

Summer: The “Why Is Everything Sticky?” Clean

• Wipe down kitchen cabinets and appliances (sticky is not a color, sorry)
• Clean out the fridge and freezer (science experiments go in the trash, not on Instagram)
• Scrub and disinfect garbage cans (nobody wants a fly convention)
• Wash patio furniture and outdoor spaces (unless you want to sit in last year’s bird poop)
• Vacuum and wipe window screens (you’ll actually want to open them now)
• Deep clean bathroom grout (mold loves humidity as much as you love AC)

Fall: The “Let’s Pretend We’re Ready for Winter” Clean

• Clean and store summer gear (unless you plan to grill in a parka)
• Dust vents, radiators, and heaters (so you don’t start the furnace with last year’s dust clouds)
• Check and clean gutters (leaves are beautiful… until they clog your drain)
• Wash and store lighter bedding; bring out the heavy stuff (and maybe an extra blanket for “energy saving”)
• Organize pantry and toss expired food (pumpkin spice is NOT a food group)
• Wipe walls and light switches (back-to-school germs are real)

Winter: The “Why Does It Smell Weird in Here?” Clean

• Dust ceiling corners and fans (winter is cobweb prime time)
• Wipe down doors, handles, and frequently touched surfaces (cold & flu season, yay)
• Clean and vacuum under big furniture (even if you have to move your Netflix throne)
• Check and clean humidifiers (unless you’re collecting mold spores as a hobby)
• Wash and rotate throw blankets, pillow covers, and pet beds (yes, even your dog’s favorite)
• Clean the oven (because “baking season” and smoke alarms shouldn’t mix)

Pro-Tip: Pick a Weekend, Blast Your Favorite Playlist, and Pretend You’re in a Cleaning Montage.

If you do at least most of this each season, your house will stay fresher, healthier, and way less embarrassing when someone drops by unannounced.
And if you don’t…well, there’s always spring cleaning next year. Or the year after that.

Want a printable version or a custom checklist for your home? Just holler!