How To Spring Clean Your Home Before You List It

Whether you’re listing your home for sale in the Bay Area, creating some short-term rental posts, or just want a fresh start for spring, you’ve come to the right place. If you have bad photos, lots of clutter, and a messy home, you’re going to get a lot fewer showings and make a poor impression on those who do decide to tour. 

Make a great first impression by following these simple spring cleaning tips to prep your home for success! This list will help you organize your cleaning process, eliminate clutter, reduce exposure to cleaning chemicals, and your home will look beautiful at the end of it.  

1. Make a Schedule

Scope out your home: What areas need the most work? Where do you skip during routine cleaning? Those are the best places to start. Regardless of where you start, having a plan will keep you focused on the task at hand. Just go room by room.

2. Declutter

Studies show that a disorganized home adds to your stress level. It has the same effect on those touring your home. The scientific implications of inhaling dust, combined with the stress of coming back to a cluttered workspace, can take a toll. Nobody wants to picture themselves in that environment! 

Set aside some time to:

• Dust and organize your office

• Look through that dreaded junk drawer (and desk drawers!)

• Organize your closets

3. Use a HEPA Vacuum

You can remove more than just dust build-up when you vacuum. A high-quality HEPA vacuum is one of the best spring cleaning supplies to arm yourself with. They catch tiny airborne particles you can’t see but can stir up allergy symptoms. They trap things like pet dander, allergens, and other household particles.

You’ll see a HEPA vacuum suggestion on just about every spring house cleaning list. Miele vacuums are known for their long-lasting designs (7-year warranties!), powerful suction, and sealed filtration systems. They’re ideal options for allergy sufferers.

If you don’t have a HEPA vacuum, look for a vacuum with attachments like dusting brushes, crevice tools, and hoses that can be used to clean more than just your floor. These tools make it simple to clean ceiling fans, cobwebs in corners, pillows, and tight spaces like behind furniture. Be sure to move your furniture too (or at least vacuum under it). Arm yourself with a good HEPA vacuum, and you’ll enjoy a healthy, clean home all of spring season.

4. Think Green When You Spring Clean

You want to start spring off on a clean note, so don’t expose yourself to chemicals and toxins. A steam cleaner is one of the best green products for spring cleaning. It can be used to clean your microwave, tile, hard floors, kitchen appliances, bathrooms, and even outdoor areas.

Since steam cleaners only use hot water vapor, they’re a 100% natural and chemical-free cleaning solution.

If you don’t have a steam cleaner, one of the best natural combinations for cleaning is white distilled vinegar, baking soda, and water. These ingredients are affordable, non-toxic, and have worked for ages when it comes to cleaning. Learn how to make your own green cleaning solutions in our step-by-step guide.

5. Always Work from Top to Bottom

When you think about how to spring clean your home, it’s important to start from the ceiling down. This will force debris downward and keep you from having to re-dust or re-clean your space. If you have a vacuum with an extension hose, use it to get cobwebs and dust from your ceilings and fans first.

Then dust your furniture and other items before vacuuming all the dust and debris off your floors. It will save you time.

6. Walls and Windows Need Love too

People almost always clean their floors, but they typically forget about walls and windows. Not all dust settles on the floor and other surfaces. Just use a damp towel to wipe down walls and blinds (starting from the top). Remove and wipe down the window screens outside.

When it comes to the actual window, we don’t suggest using chemical cleaners. A steam cleaner with a squeegee is a great way to clean windows.

7. Don’t Be Scared of the Kitchen and Bathroom

Don’t fear cleaning your bathroom! Here are a few common trouble areas people forget about:

Kitchens

Wipe down your cabinets.

Go through your pantry and refrigerator. Wipe down the shelves, and throw away any old items.

If you have stainless steel appliances, be sure to use gentle cleaners or a steam cleaner to avoid scratching or other issues.

Bathrooms

Change your shower curtain.

Go through your cosmetics drawer or medicine cabinet and throw away any expired items.

You should also consider installing or upgrading to a new bathroom fan. Replacing an existing fan or adding a new one can help to ensure your bathroom remains in top-notch condition. They are great for ventilating moisture during showers and removing odors/vapors. Depending on the unit you select, it may even come with built-in lighting, automatic operation, and other user-friendly features.

8. Don’t Forget About Your Air

Replacing furnace and HVAC filters is one of the most important and overlooked parts of spring cleaning. In fact, replacing a standard filter with a more robust one with a high MERV rating will help keep you healthier as you enter spring.

It will catch smaller, irritating particles. Air conditioner ducts build up dust during winter, and upgraded filters catch unwanted particles so they don’t enter your space. It’s an inexpensive way to make sure you’re breathing clean, healthy air.

The best way to ensure healthy spring air void of allergens, indoor chemicals, or odors is with an air purifier. If anyone in your home suffers from allergies or wakes up stuffy during allergy season, adding an air purifier to his/her bedroom will help.

9. Have Severe Allergies? Protect Yourself.

Cleaning will more than likely unsettle all the winter dust on furniture and fixtures. If you suffer from allergies or are using heavy-duty cleaners, be sure to read the labels. For safe spring cleaning, wear rubber gloves, masks, scarves, and even hairnets. Protective clothing will help guard against skin irritations and allergic reactions.

10. Let Spring Cleaning Set a New Tone

If your space feels dark and heavy, you can make small changes to help make it light and fresh for spring. Adding new colorful pillows or art are great ways to change up your space. Replacing items like bedding, towels, table linens, and even window treatments are other ways to transform your rooms for spring and warm weather ahead.

Happy Cleaning!

These spring cleaning tips will help you have a better at-home experience and make potential buyers feel way more comfortable. Have you started the process? Snap some photos and tag me on Instagram!

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