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4 items you can check off your spring cleaning list in under an hour

Nate Swanner
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Spring is the perfect time to take on some of those household chores you’ve been putting off. Some are essential to the health and safety of your family; others will give your home a much-needed refreshment in time for warmer days and more outdoor entertaining.

While your spring cleaning checklist may seem a bit overwhelming, we’ve gathered four spring cleaning ideas you can accomplish in under an hour. Or, if you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, check out our fast spring cleaning checklist ideas for a weekend’s worth of chores. 

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Let the spring cleaning begin!

4 Spring cleaning ideas to complete in an hour or less

1. Spruce up your entryway

Improve the curb appeal of your house by giving your front entryway a fresh and clean spring makeover. Wipe down your door, spray and clean the glass front and overhead porch lighting fixtures. If you have a front porch, hose it down, including the floor, ceiling, and high corners, to remove cobwebs, leaves, and pollen.

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Add a new doormat—maybe one with a seasonal design—and flank both sides of the door with colorful potted plants or flowers. Any porch furnishings should be washed with soapy water and sprayed down, and cushions should be cleaned or replaced. In minutes, you’ve given your entryway a spring-worthy appeal that guests and passersby will definitely notice.

2. Check safety devices

Installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is a great way to help keep your family safe, but you should never assume they are working, or it could lead to disaster.

No matter how high-tech or well-reviewed, you should periodically test electronic devices to ensure they function properly. After all, batteries will inevitably need replacing, and electronic parts can wear out over time. By testing them regularly and replacing batteries as needed, you’re helping to keep your family safe in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide leak inside your home.

In general, you should test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly, and you should replace batteries once or twice a year.

Battery-powered: Test batteries monthly according to manufacturer suggestions. Replace batteries twice a year, and never install old batteries in smoke or carbon monoxide detectors. 

Hardwired: Powered by your home’s electrical system, these devices usually include backup batteries in case of power outages. Spring is the perfect time to replace batteries and check functionality.

3. Clean trash cans and recycling bins

It might not seem like a big deal, but dirty, smelly trash cans or recycling bins could put a real damper on your outdoor enjoyment—especially as the weather gets warmer. 

Start by emptying cans and spraying them down with a hose. Use your favorite spray or liquid all-purpose cleaner and fill the containers with sudsy water. Let them soak a few minutes before using a stiff-bristle brush to scrub them clean (now would be a good time to be wearing rubber gloves). Rinse with the garden hose and flip them over to dry.

4. Stop mosquitoes before they take over your yard

Nothing can take the fun out of outdoor enjoyment quicker than pesky mosquitoes—not to mention the potential health hazards mosquitoes present! But, you can take a few preventative measures now to minimize the number of mosquitos breeding in your yard.

“Mosquitoes need stagnant, still water to lay their eggs and for the young to successfully hatch and mature. During mosquito season, it’s especially important to keep gutters clear, thoroughly empty kiddie pools and water buckets after use and keep birdbaths filled with fresh water.”   –  Terminix

Do a quick walk around your property to check for any standing water sources (including rainwater), which could essentially be any open containers—wheelbarrows, buckets, watering cans, empty flower pots, etc. If you spot any standing water, pour it out and store those items upside down or in your garage or shed to prevent creating desirable breeding grounds for mosquitoes. 

Fast spring cleaning checklist

Have a little more time? You can try tackling these spring cleaning tasks over the course of a weekend!

  • Clear out any clutter in the garage and schedule a yard sale
  • Inspect paths and driveways for winter cracks and damage
  • Clean screen doors and windows to remove pollen and debris
  • Wash all windows in your home—inside and out
  • Clean out and organize the garage
  • Hose down your siding
  • Inspect and clean your gutters—lots of spring rain in the forecast
  • Schedule a termite or ant inspection
  • Maintain or repaint your deck—you’ll want it in tip-top shape for summer

Whether you have an hour to spare or a whole weekend, spring cleaning is a great time to get some of the bigger home cleaning and repair items out of the way so you can take full advantage of enjoying your home all season long. 

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