How to spring clean your bedroom step by step

Spring is the perfect time to shake off the winter mold from your bedroom and start fresh. Whether you’ve been putting it off or just need a solid plan, these bedroom spring cleaning steps will have you on your way in no time. They are the same ones I follow when deep cleaning my room.

The good news? You don’t have to do it all in one day. If you have a lot of time and energy, do it all in one afternoon. If you are dealing with limited time or energy, work on one section at a time. However you decide to set it up, work in the order provided so you get dirt and debris out of your room, not onto surfaces you’ve already cleaned.

What will you need?

Before you start, grab your cleaners. Having everything in one place saves you from running back and forth (and losing momentum).

Bedroom spring cleaning steps

Step 1: Clean first

You can’t deep clean a messy room. So start by taking three bags or boxes and label them: Trash, Donate and Belongs Elsewhere. Trust me and tag them. I once messed mine up and had to drive to Goodwill to get my son’s teddy bear back!

Then go through the room – the floor, under the bed, up and into the nightstand drawers, cupboard and drawers – and put the chucks in one of these three containers. Place them outside the door so you can add them as you go.

Step 2: Prepare the room

Spring cleaning is about getting into every nook and cranny. To do this, you need the room prepared. So, pull down your curtains and strip the bed: duvets, sheets, pillows, everything. Leave the mattress cover on for now.

Then pull pictures and art off the walls and place them on the bed. (That’s why we left the mattress topper: to protect your bed from dust while you work.)

Take the curtains and bed linens to the laundry room and start them in the washing machine. (Follow the care instructions on their label or check my guide to washing curtains.)

Step 3: Dust from top to bottom

Always dust from the top of the room down. I like to go from right to left across the room, but you can go crazy and work in the other direction you prefer. The important thing is not to hit the dust on surfaces that you have already cleaned.

And remember: we use a damp cloth to dust and rinse them often. That way, you’re not just spreading dust around, you’re getting it out of your home. Work through this list in order:

• Ceiling fan: Use a duster with a long handle if there is not a lot of dust. Or, if the blades are coated with debris, slide a pillowcase over each one to trap the dirt as you remove it.
• Ceiling, walls and door frames: Go over them with a long-handled duster. Clean dirt with a small amount of warm, soapy water and wipe with a clean, damp cloth to rinse.
• Blinds and window coverings
• Baseboards: Use a duster with a long handle to save your back.
• Frames: Wipe the frame and back. The glass comes later.
• Furniture: Dust first and then polish any wood.

Step 4: Clean the glasses and mirrors

Now that the walls and frames are clean, you can hang your pictures again. But first, spray glass cleaner on a cloth and run the glass over each one.

Next, it’s time to clean the windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces and light switches. Switch to a dry cloth the moment your current one feels damp. (This is how you avoid streaks.)

Step 5: Clean the lights

Turn off all your lights and let the bulbs cool completely before touching them. Wipe the bulbs with glass cleaner and a fresh cloth. Then wipe the lamp base and cord.

For shades, a lint roller works great to pick up dust. For deeper cleaning, use the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner.

Step 6: Deep clean the bed

Now pull the mattress cover and take it to the laundry room. (It’s probably time to put the curtains in the dryer, anyway.) Pull the bed frame away from the wall and wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth. You’d be surprised what’s back there.

Then vacuum the mattress with the upholstery attachment. Get the top, sides and headboard if upholstered. Point treat any stains you can find and then rotate the mattress from edge to edge. Finally, vacuum behind and under where the bed usually sits before pushing it into place.

Step 7: Vacuum and mop

Pull the rest of your furniture away from the walls and vacuum under and behind each piece. Yes, it’s a lot of work, but that’s exactly what sets a real spring clean apart from your normal weekly routine.

If you can’t move a piece of furniture, use the crevice tool to clean around its base and along the edges of the wall. Then switch to the floor attachment and clean the rest of the floor.

If you have hard floors, mop after vacuuming. If you have carpeting, this is a great time to steam clean or work around any stains with warm water and a mild detergent before vacuuming so they have time to relax.

Step 8: Put it all together

Here’s the fun part! Re-hang your freshly washed curtains. Make the bed with clean sheets. Then take a moment to admire your work. If you like air freshener, give the room a scent. I I do my own thing and this time of year I go for a “spring clean” scent every time.

Then deal with those boxes: the donation box goes in the car, the trash is put out, and the “elsewhere” items are put away.

You will sleep so well tonight!

How Often Should You Spring Clean Your Bedroom?

Once a year is the traditional rhythm of Spring Cleaning, usually between March and May, when you can open the windows and let in some fresh air. (Autumn cleaning is a separate process designed to prepare your home for winter.)

But if you have pets, bad allergies, or anyone in your home with a weakened immune system, consider deep cleaning every season instead of once a year.

And don’t worry if it’s still cold outside in March! I personally wait until April when we have consistently sunny days that show every speck of dust. That’s when I can’t wait another day.

Get the checklist

Want to go through this list step by step without having to scroll back through the post?

Print it out, stick it on the wall and check things off as you go. There is nothing more satisfying than a good cleaning after a long winter to know that your room is ready for the sunnier days ahead.