Spring Cleaning 2026: The Complete Checklist for Your Home
Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes the tradition of spring cleaning. What was once a necessity to remove soot and dirt from winter is now an opportunity to get your home in order and start the new season with fresh energy.
But where to begin? And how can you efficiently complete the big clean without sacrificing your entire weekend? In this article, you'll find a complete checklist, practical tips, and a realistic schedule for your spring cleaning.
Why Spring Clean? The Benefits of a Deep Clean
Spring cleaning is more than just a tradition. It has tangible benefits for your health and well-being:
- Allergy prevention: Dust, mites, and pollen accumulate over winter. A thorough cleaning significantly reduces allergens.
- Better air quality: Clean surfaces and washed textiles improve indoor air quality.
- Psychological effect: A tidy home reduces stress and promotes concentration.
- Value preservation: Regular deep cleaning maintains the condition of floors, furniture, and appliances.
The Basic Equipment: What You Need
Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary supplies at hand:
Cleaning products:
- All-purpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Descaler
- Oven cleaner
- Floor cleaner (according to floor type)
Tools:
- Microfiber cloths (several)
- Window cloths and squeegee
- Duster or dust cloth
- Vacuum cleaner with various attachments
- Mop or floor cloths
- Bucket
- Gloves
The Order: Top to Bottom, Room by Room
The most important principle in spring cleaning: Always work from top to bottom. Dust and dirt fall downward, so it makes no sense to mop the floor first. Start with ceilings, lamps, and high shelves, work your way down, and clean the floor last.
Checklist: Kitchen
The kitchen is often the most labor-intensive room. Grease, limescale, and dirt accumulate particularly stubbornly here.
- Clean oven (letting it soak makes the job easier)
- Completely empty and wipe out refrigerator
- Defrost freezer (if necessary)
- Clean range hood and filters
- Wipe inside cabinets and reorganize
- Vacuum behind refrigerator and stove
- Clean dishwasher (run dishwasher cleaner)
- Degrease countertops and backsplash
- Descale faucets
- Clean and disinfect garbage bin
Checklist: Bathroom
In the bathroom, it's all about limescale and hygiene. Descaler and a good bathroom cleaner are your best friends here.
- Clean grout (with grout brush if needed)
- Descale shower and bathtub
- Wash or replace shower curtain
- Thoroughly clean toilet (including under the rim)
- Clean mirrors streak-free
- Descale sink and faucets
- Declutter and wipe out bathroom cabinet
- Clean drains
- Wash towels and bath mats
- Clean ventilation grilles
Checklist: Living Room and Bedroom
These rooms are often less dirty, but dust and textiles need special attention.
- Take down and wash curtains
- Dust lamps and lampshades
- Vacuum behind furniture and under beds
- Clean radiators
- Vacuum upholstered furniture (treat with upholstery cleaner if needed)
- Turn and vacuum mattress
- Air or wash duvets and pillows
- Dust shelves and surfaces
- Clean screens and electronic devices
- Clean carpets (professionally if needed)
Checklist: Windows and General Areas
Windows are the highlight of spring cleaning. Clean windows immediately let in more light and transform the entire room atmosphere.
- Clean windows inside and outside
- Clean window frames and seals
- Clean shutters or blinds
- Wipe doors and door frames
- Disinfect light switches and door handles
- Dust baseboards
- Remove cobwebs in corners
- Organize entryway and coat area
Schedule: How to Get It Done in a Weekend
For a 3-4 bedroom apartment, we recommend splitting it over two days:
Saturday (approx. 4-5 hours):
- Morning: Thoroughly clean kitchen
- Afternoon: Clean bathroom(s)
- Evening: Start laundry (curtains, bedding)
Sunday (approx. 3-4 hours):
- Morning: Living room and bedroom
- Afternoon: Clean windows
- Evening: Mop floors, hang curtains
If you have less time, focus on the most important areas: kitchen (oven, refrigerator), bathroom (grout, limescale), and windows. These make the biggest visible difference.
Pro Tips for Better Results
- Use dwell time: Spray stubborn areas (oven, limescale) first and let the products work while you clean other areas.
- Clean windows on overcast days: In direct sunlight, cleaner dries too quickly and leaves streaks.
- Hot water for grease: Hot water is significantly more effective than cold for greasy surfaces.
- Change cleaning water regularly: Dirty water just spreads the dirt around.
- Combine decluttering: Use spring cleaning as an opportunity to sort through belongings. Fewer items mean fewer dust collectors.
When Is Professional Help Worth It?
In Switzerland, more and more households are using professional cleaning services for spring cleaning. This makes particular sense in the following situations:
- Time constraints: Those with demanding careers gain valuable free time back.
- Large homes: Beyond a certain size, the effort becomes hard to manage without help.
- Stubborn dirt: Professionals have better equipment and products for difficult cases.
- Specialized cleaning: Window cleaning or carpet cleaning often requires specialized knowledge.
A professional deep cleaning can serve as an annual reset: Have professionals clean once a year, then maintain that level the rest of the year with regular maintenance cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spring Cleaning
When is the best time for spring cleaning?
The ideal time is late February to early April, when days get longer and more natural light enters your home. This way you can see dust and dirt better and ventilate well in milder temperatures.
How long does a thorough spring cleaning take?
For an average 3-bedroom apartment, you should plan for 6-8 hours, spread over several days. If you want to limit it to one day, prioritize: kitchen, bathroom, and windows make the biggest visible difference.
What is included in spring cleaning?
A thorough spring cleaning includes: cleaning windows, washing curtains, wiping out cabinets, vacuuming behind furniture, cleaning carpets, scrubbing oven and refrigerator, turning mattresses, and completely changing bedding.
Is professional spring cleaning worth it in Switzerland?
For many working professionals in Switzerland, professional help with spring cleaning makes economic sense. A deep cleaning by professionals saves time, reaches spots you often miss yourself, and delivers better results on stubborn dirt.
Conclusion: Spring Cleaning Is Worth It
A thorough spring cleaning is an investment in your well-being. With the right planning, our checklist, and a realistic schedule, you can make your home sparkle without overwhelming yourself.
And if you lack the time or energy: Professional support is no longer rare in Switzerland, but rather a practical solution for a stress-free start to spring. Whether you do it yourself or get help, the most important thing is: You start the warm season with a fresh, clean home.
Not in the Mood for a Big Clean?
Let the professionals handle it: Calculate in 2 minutes what a professional deep cleaning would cost for your home. We serve Zurich, Zug, and Lucerne.