How to Create a Spring Cleaning Checklist That Doesn’t Overwhelm You!
Last Updated on 04/06/2026 by Nicky
When I think about spring cleaning, my brain immediately pictures some kind of intense, one-weekend deep cleaning marathon.
Like I’m supposed to suddenly wash walls, move appliances, clean light fixtures, and reorganize every drawer in my house in five days or less. Ummm, no. And might I add, UGH!
Now keep in mind that no one told me that. I just decided that’s what it meant.
And because of that, spring cleaning has always felt overwhelming.
I love the idea of it. Fresh start. Clean house. Reset energy.
But the pressure attached to it makes me want to avoid it completely.
So this year I’m doing it differently. And I hope what I share with you today will help make spring cleaning a whole lot easier and less stressful than it usually is.
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– Why Spring Cleaning Feels So Overwhelming
For me, it feels like “extra” cleaning stacked on top of my regular daily and weekly cleaning and who wants that?
It feels urgent. Specialized. Like everything has to be done quickly and perfectly.
And in the past, without a checklist, I would bounce from one task to another (the ADHD tax strikes again).
I’d start wiping baseboards, then move to the kitchen, then start organizing a drawer.
Eventually things would get done.
But my house would look worse before it looked better.
And sometimes I wouldn’t even start certain tasks because I didn’t have a clear list of what actually needed to be done.
That lack of structure is what creates chaos for me.
– Why I’m Using a Spring Cleaning Checklist This Year
This year, I’m using the spring cleaning checklist that’s already inside my planner.
I’m not trying to reinvent anything. I’m just using what’s already there.
My goal is simple:
Look at the list.
Choose one task I have the energy for.
Finish that one thing.
Check it off.
That small check mark is surprisingly motivating.
Having something physical to refer back to helps me when I get distracted. And I will get distracted.
The list is what holds me accountable.
– How I’m Approaching Spring Cleaning Differently
1. I’m spreading it out
I’m not doing this in one weekend.
Yes, doing it all at once would mean it’s over quickly. But I would also be exhausted and resentful.
Instead, I’m spreading tasks out over several weeks.
Spring is three months long. There is no rush.
2. I sometimes do bigger tasks during the week
This might sound strange, but I actually like doing bigger cleaning tasks on weekdays.
The week is already busy and imperfect because of work. It already feels “messed up” if you know what I mean.
So if I deep clean the oven on a Tuesday night, I don’t feel like I ruined my weekend.
That leaves my weekends more open for rest or fun. Fun fact, sometimes cleaning is actually fun to me…keyword is sometimes.
Anywho, this very loose system works for me.
3. I prioritize high-traffic rooms
Kitchens and bathrooms matter most in my house.
Bedrooms are important too because we spend so much time there.
If those spaces feel clean, the whole house feels calmer.
4. I use a cleaning basket
One shortcut that makes everything easier is keeping a basket with a handle filled with supplies.
Cloths. Sponges. Spray. Gloves. It’s all in the basket and I don’t have to scramble around the house trying to find something.
If I can grab one basket and move room to room, I’m more likely to finish the task I started.
– Sample Tasks From My Spring Cleaning Checklist
I have a cleaning planner which you can look at here. In the planner there is a spring cleaning checklist but I’m not listing everything here because the list is crazy long.
However, here are a few examples from each area. And will I be doing all of this? Absolutely not! Maybe over the period of a decade but not in one year. But I digress.
Here is the list:
Bedrooms
- Wash pillows and duvet
- Vacuum the mattress
- Dust lights and clean lampshades
- Sweep and vacuum under the bed
Living Room
- Vacuum sofas and spot clean
- Dust decor and shelves
- Untangle and tidy wires
- Shampoo carpets
Kitchen
- Clean and organize the pantry
- Clean and disinfect the oven
- Clean and organize the fridge and freezer
- Vacuum refrigerator coils
Bathrooms
- Clean and disinfect the toilet
- Remove and clean the seat and seat bolts
- Clean and shine taps
- Dust and clean mirrors
Entire House
- Remove cobwebs
- Wipe baseboards
- Clean light switches
- Restock cleaning supplies
You don’t have to do all of it at once. Shoot, you don’t have to do it ever.
Pick one thing that is really bugging you. Finish it. Check it off. Dopamine hit!
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– What I’m Probably Skipping
There are some things on traditional lists that I realistically may not do.
Cleaning high light fixtures.
Washing and rehanging curtains.
Moving heavy appliances to clean underneath.
Could I? Maybe.
Will I? Hmmm, I’m unsure. Not making any promises.
And that’s okay.
Spring cleaning is supposed to make your house feel better, not make your life harder.
– How To Create Your Own Spring Cleaning Checklist
You can get your spring cleaning checklist from my cleaning planner LINK which you can view below or you can create your own. The trick to making it not be overwhelming is to:
- Go through the list of tasks
- Decide which tasks must be done based on how much it is bothering you or what will make your life easier (for instance cleaning out the freezer makes my life easier because then I know what’s in there and I don’t have to struggle to get new items in there)
- Cross off anything on the list that you know you’re not going to do or doesn’t need to be done
- Cross off any task that doesn’t apply (like I don’t have a dining room so I don’t need to worry about the tasks for that room)
- Overestimate how long completing the task will take and if you get done early celebrate. Us women with ADHD tend to underestimate how long it takes to do something. So if you think it will take 2 hours to clean out the freezer, double that to 4 hours. If it only takes 2 ½ hours then rejoice. Overestimating the length of a task and then beating it will build your confidence in the long run.
- Give yourself grace if you don’t finish everything. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t finish.
– If You’re Tired and Busy
First of all, I commend you for even thinking about spring cleaning.
Life is already full.
If the idea of spring cleaning stresses you out, you do not have to do it.
But if you want to try, start small.
Pick three tasks. Spread them over a few weekends.
Check in with yourself.
If you feel good, keep going.
If you don’t, stop.
There will be another spring next year.
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a chaotic deep-clean marathon.
It can be a slow reset.
Just do one task at a time. I know that’s easier said than done because I’m the queen of bouncing from one thing to the next.
But I think having a checklist of some sort like one you make yourself or like the one in my “Where Do I Even Start?” ADHD Cleaning Planner which you can grab a copy of here will help you stay focused.
