15 Genius Spring Cleaning Hacks to Save You Time
I’m sitting here next to the open window, sun shining in, Marlowe sleeping next to me while I write this blog post. It’s the perfect day here in the mountains for southeast Kentucky to do some spring cleaning! Today I’m sharing 15 ideas and spring cleaning hacks to save you time and effort.
The spring sunshine has a way of revealing things we were perfectly content to ignore all winter. But here’s the good news: spring cleaning doesn’t have to mean flipping your entire life upside down for a spotless house. Whether you are set on doing a 3-day mini spring cleaning routine or are ready to tackle your entire house this month, I’m sure you want to work as efficiently as possible with the least amount of elbow grease.
The goal isn’t to scrub every grout line with a toothbrush (unless that’s your thing, haha). It’s about lightening the load, freshening up your space, making things smell good, and feeling like you can breathe again when you walk into the room.
With the right shortcuts you can get done faster and maybe even enjoy the process. So, turn on your favorite playlist (I love Fernando Ortega if you want calming music), light a candle, open a window, and let’s get started.
I found these 15 genius hacks and ideas around the internet and I think some of them are really great ideas! They’re are all about working smarter, not harder — using tools you probably already have (or cheap ones you can grab) to make cleaning faster and easier.
1. Start Dinner First with a Crockpot
Before you even touch a cleaning supply, get dinner going in the crockpot. It’s one less thing to think about later — especially if you’re deep-cleaning the kitchen.
Bonus Tip: Set the crockpot in the laundry room or garage if you’re cleaning the kitchen from top to bottom.
Easy crockpot ideas:
- Crock Pot Taco Soup
- Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken
- Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
- Easy Crockpot Lasagna
2. Power Scrub with a Drill Brush
Scrubbing tubs, grout, and sinks is exhausting — unless you attach a scrub brush head to your drill. This hack turns your power drill into a super scrubber and saves your hands from doing all the work.
source: Reddit
3. Use Your Dishwasher for More Than Dishes
Skip the hand-washing and load small, grimy household items into your dishwasher:
- Stove knobs
- Vent covers
- Soap dishes
- Toothbrush holders
- Microwave turntable
source: Architectural Digest
4. Sock Dust Your Blinds & Baseboards
No fancy tools needed. Slip an old sock over your hand, dampen it slightly, and swipe it across blinds, baseboards, and trim. It grabs dust way better than a paper towel, and you can just toss the sock in the wash when you’re done.
source: HSA Home Warranty
5. Steam Clean Everything
Steam cleaners aren’t just for floors. Use steam to blast dirt and grime from:
- Grout
- Shower doors
- Upholstery
- Even mattresses!
No chemicals needed — just heat and water.
6. Set a 15-Minute Timer & Race Yourself
Feeling stuck? Set a timer for 15 minutes per task and try to beat the clock. It’s a surprisingly motivating way to clean faster — and kids love this one too.
7. Freshen the Air Naturally
Skip the synthetic air fresheners and make your home smell amazing by simmering a pot of water with lemon slices, rosemary, and vanilla. It’s simple, non-toxic, and makes your whole house smell like spring.
8. Use Microfiber for Faster Dusting
Microfiber cloths trap dust much better than paper towels — and they work dry or damp. Grab a big pack and use them everywhere from shelves to windows to appliances.
9. Scrub the Shower While You’re Already In It
Before your next shower, spray down the walls with a homemade or natural cleaner and let the cleaner sit while you wash your hair. By the time you’re done, a quick scrub-down takes off most of the grime without a lot of effort.
Warning: Only try this one if you are agile and not afraid of slipping. Good Housekeeping says it’s not safe, but I personally do this from time to time and it works great for me!
10. Clean Your Washing Machine
Your washer needs cleaning too! Run a hot cycle with vinegar and baking soda to clear out odors and residue. Don’t forget to wipe the rubber seal and soap dispensers.
source: NPR
11. Magic Eraser Sponges for Mystery Marks
Scuff marks on walls? Sticky fingerprints? Greasy cabinets? Magic sponges handle it all — fast. You can get these generic ones for pretty cheap!
12. Clean Ceilings with a Broom & Microfiber Cloth
Wrap a microfiber cloth around a broom and swipe across ceilings and crown molding to catch cobwebs without climbing a ladder. In my house, cobwebs creep up so fast it’s not even funny.
13. Vacuum Filters Need Love Too
Don’t forget your vacuum itself! Clean the filter (or replace it) and give the canister a quick rinse. A clean vacuum works better — and smells better too.
14. Baking Soda + Essential Oils = DIY Carpet Refresher
Before vacuuming, sprinkle carpets with a mix of baking soda and a few drops of essential oil (lavender, lemon, or eucalyptus are great). Let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum. It freshens carpets and eliminates odors.
15. Use a Shower Squeegee on Pet Hair
For stubborn pet hair on carpets or furniture, grab a shower squeegee and run it over the surface. It pulls up way more hair than a regular vacuum.
So that’s it — just a handful of little tricks to help make spring cleaning feel less like a chore and more like a reset. Pick a few hacks that make sense for your space, get dinner going in the crockpot, and give yourself permission to take breaks. A clean home is nice — and your future self will thank you.
Spring cleaning doesn’t need to be any harder! Would you add anything to this list? Let us know in the comments below!
