15 spring cleaning tips for a home refresh

Before you start, gather all the cleaning supplies and tools you'll need. This includes cleaning solutions, microfibre cloths, scrub brushes, vacuum cleaner attachments, and rubbish bags.

Spring cleaning is very different from your regular weekend tidy-up and requires more thoughtful planning to help tackle the areas you don’t usually cover day-to-day. A list will help keep you on track and ensure everything is cleaned. You can create your own tailored checklist or use ours below.

To stay organised and avoid feeling overwhelmed, tackle one room at a time. Cleaning a room per week works well, but if deep cleaning a whole room feels like more than you can tackle that day, then start with a single drawer or cupboard. Complete each room before moving on to the next. And don’t forget to check tasks off your list – no matter how big or small. Once you get going, you’re likely to be motivated to do more.

Our homes are often overflowing with things, and clutter begins to take over when we own too many possessions. Keep your home clutter-free by removing excess items you no longer use or want. If you haven’t used something in the past six months, consider throwing it away. Part of removing excess can also include donating unwanted items to charity, recycling them, or selling.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a marathon, so it’s a good idea to break tasks down into short, productive chunks of time. Consider using a timer or smartphone app to stay focused. Set a specific amount of time for each task to prevent spending too long on one area.

Get your family members or housemates involved. Assign tasks and turn spring cleaning into a team effort. You can even make cleaning more fun by seeing how fast you can clean a room, adding reward systems, or making cleaning playlists.

Go through your cupboards, fridge and freezer and throw away items that are past their expiry date or that you’ll never use. Any in-date food that you don’t want can be donated to food banks.

Consider using eco-friendly cleaning products to reduce your environmental impact and minimise exposure to harmful chemicals. Using products made from natural ingredients helps to reduce the level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your home – improving the air you breathe while still satisfying the need for a clean, fresh-smelling environment.

Pay attention to often-overlooked areas like light switch plates, skirting boards, and door frames, as these cleaning spots often accumulate dust and dirt. Clean high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and TV remotes with a microfibre cloth dampened with warm, soapy water.

Longer daylight hours can lift our spirits, but streaming sunshine may shine a light (literally) on dirty windows. Use a dry microfibre cloth or vacuum attachment to remove dust from the windowpane and sill. Then, spray glass cleaner onto your windows and wipe thoroughly with a clean microfibre cloth to avoid streaking. To quickly dust blinds, go over both sides with your cloth or use the Dyson scratch-free dusting brush for gentle cleaning on delicate surfaces.

While they look clean, mattresses can be a hot bed of microscopic life. They may contain dust mites, their faeces, bacteria, viruses, pollen, and other allergens. We recommend deep cleaning your mattress every six months – once during spring cleaning and again at the end of dust mite season in October. Using a vacuum with a high-power or Boost mode will deliver the suction you need, and the wide-aperture Dyson Mattress tool can help to remove dust, dirt and allergens from mattresses and upholstery.

As you clean, assess your seasonal items. Pack away winter clothes, décor, and gear to make room for spring and summer essentials. When organising your wardrobe, put your thick coats, winter boots, and ski outfits in storage and bring your warmer-weather items such as lighter coats and dresses to the front, ready to wear.

Light fixtures, light bulbs, and lampshades can collect dust as they often get missed during a regular clean. Use a microfibre cloth to dust fixtures and bulbs you can reach, or use the Dyson Up-top Adaptor, which bends and locks at different angles for flexible cleaning in those tricky, up-high places around your home. Cleaning them before the rest of the room will help prevent any fallen dust landing on already-clean surfaces.

Implement systems to prevent future clutter, such as setting up designated areas for keys, mail, and shoes. Using bins, baskets and dividers can help make these systems look stylish and work effectively.

To make spring cleaning less daunting, it’s a good idea to do regular maintenance work throughout the year. Monthly or quarterly deep cleaning can help you stay on top of tasks.

Spring cleaning can breathe life back into your living space and enhance your overall wellbeing. By following the comprehensive checklist and tips provided in this guide, you can tackle spring cleaning efficiently and effectively – leaving your home refreshed and ready for the warmer months ahead.