Why Do We Spring Clean? And What Should You Clean?
Spring is a good time to give your home a proper reset after winter. With more time spent indoors and windows often kept closed during the cooler months, dust and everyday grime can build up in places you do not normally think about. That is where spring cleaning comes in.
The idea is much older and is linked to the change from winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when warmer weather made it easier to open homes, air them out and give them a thorough clean after the colder months.
So, what should you actually clean? Start with the areas that tend to get missed during your regular routine, including windows, window sills, blinds, shutters, curtains, ceiling fans, skirting boards and soft furnishings. Your window coverings are particularly worth checking. Dust can settle between blind slats, along roller blinds, around shutter frames and on curtains without being obvious until the spring sunlight hits them.
What should you clean during spring cleaning?
Spring cleaning is about more than giving the floors and kitchen a good scrub. It is also the perfect time to clean the parts of your home that quietly collect dust all year, including blinds, shutters, curtains, windows and the areas around them.
If you are wondering what you should clean during spring cleaning, start with the surfaces you see every day but may not clean regularly. Window furnishings are high on that list. Blinds, shutters and curtains can collect dust, while window sills, tracks and frames can build up grime, insects and debris over time.
1. Blinds and shutters
Blinds and shutters collect dust every day, but they are not always included in the regular cleaning routine. Dust can build up on slats, louvres, fabric surfaces, frames and around the edges of your window coverings. Over time, this can make them look dull even when the rest of the room is clean. The right cleaning method depends on the type of blind or shutter.
A soft, clean cloth or suitable duster is a good starting point for removing surface dust from many blinds. Some fabric blinds can also be gently vacuumed using the appropriate soft brush attachment. For plantation shutters, gently dust the blades and frame rather than soaking them with water. Timber and other materials can react differently to moisture, so it is always worth checking the care instructions for your particular shutters before using cleaning products.
If you have roller blinds, Roman blinds, Venetians, verticals or other fabric window furnishings, follow the recommended care method for that product rather than assuming the same cleaning method will work for everything. Our simple rule? If you’re not sure, don’t soak it. Check the practical guide on how to clean blinds after a dusty Hawkesbury summer, including some simple ways to remove built-up dust while taking care of your blinds.
2. Curtains, sheers and other window furnishings
Curtains and sheers can hold more dust than you might realise, particularly in folds, hems and areas close to the floor. Before washing anything, check the fabric’s care instructions. Some curtains can be washed at home, while delicate or lined fabrics may need professional cleaning.
For general maintenance, carefully vacuuming curtains or sheers with a suitable soft upholstery attachment can help remove loose dust without putting unnecessary strain on the fabric. This is also a good opportunity to look at the window furnishings themselves. Are the curtains hanging properly? Are there marks or fading? Is the fabric starting to show signs of wear?
3. Windows, frames, sills and tracks
If you’re cleaning the glass but ignoring everything around it, you’re only doing half the job. Give your window glass, frames, sills, tracks, flyscreens, corners and edges, and areas around handles some attention as well. Window tracks in particular can collect a surprising amount of dust, dirt and insects over time.
Clean the surrounding areas before finishing the glass. There is not much point getting your windows spotless and then dropping dust back onto them while cleaning the frame or track. Spring is also a good time to check that your windows and window furnishings are opening, closing and operating as they should.
4. Ceiling fans and light fittings
Ceiling fans are easy to overlook because they are above eye level. After sitting through winter, fan blades can have a layer of dust waiting for you. Give them a careful clean before you start using them regularly again. Light fittings can collect dust and insects too. Always switch them off and allow them to cool before cleaning, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for removable parts.
A good rule for spring cleaning is to work from the top down. There is no point vacuuming the floor first if you’re about to knock months of dust from the ceiling fan onto it.
5. Behind and underneath furniture
Your regular vacuum cleaner can only reach so far. Spring cleaning is a good opportunity to safely move beds, sofas, cabinets and other larger pieces of furniture so you can clean underneath and behind them.
You’ll probably find dust, hair and the occasional object that disappeared months ago. You don’t need to move anything that is too heavy or unsafe to handle. Just clean the areas you can reach safely.
6. Cupboards, wardrobes and storage areas
Spring cleaning is also a good time to clean the places you normally leave alone. Work through wardrobes, linen cupboards, kitchen cupboards, bathroom storage, drawers, shelving and other storage areas. Remove anything you no longer use, wipe down the shelves and put everything back in a way that makes sense.
While you’re there, look for anything that needs repairing, replacing or reorganising.
7. The small areas you normally forget
Once you’ve covered the major jobs, look around for the smaller areas that are easy to miss. Think: skirting boards, corners and cobwebs, door frames, light switches, air vents, window ledges, sliding door tracks, tops of cabinets, behind appliances, decorative items and picture frames. These jobs might not take long individually, but together they can make a noticeable difference to how clean your home feels.
A simple spring cleaning order
If you are not sure where to start, keep it simple. Start high, then work down.
- Dust ceiling fans and light fittings.
- Clean walls, doors and high surfaces.
- Dust blinds, shutters and curtains.
- Clean windows, frames and tracks.
- Clean furniture and shelving.
- Vacuum floors and hard-to-reach areas.
- Finish with mopping or other floor cleaning.
This prevents you from cleaning the same area twice as dust falls from higher surfaces.
Spring cleaning does not have to mean cleaning everything
The best spring clean is one that actually gets done. You do not need to spend an entire weekend pulling the house apart. Start with the areas that have been neglected and work through them gradually.
That includes more than just floors, kitchens and cupboards. Curtains, blinds, cushions, pillows and upholstered furniture can all benefit from a good refresh after months of everyday use. Give your fabrics some attention, clear away dust around your windows and check that your window furnishings are looking as fresh as the rest of the room.
And if your curtains, blinds or shutters are looking tired rather than simply dirty, spring can be a good time to rethink the way a room feels. A new fabric, cushion, upholstered piece or window covering can change a space without needing to renovate the entire room.
At Stylecraft & Co, we help homeowners across Richmond, North Richmond, the Hawkesbury and surrounding areas choose blinds, curtains, shutters and soft furnishings that work with their homes. From fabrics and cushions to upholstered furniture and bedheads, you can explore different colours, textures and finishes in our showroom.
Sometimes a proper spring clean is not about doing more. It is about noticing the things you have stopped noticing.