Spring Cleaning Checklist for Australian Homes
09 October 2026 · Jessica Gao
Spring is when a lot of Australian households give the house a proper going-over after winter. This spring cleaning checklist works room by room, so you can tackle it in one weekend or spread it over a few.
Where should you start?
Declutter first. It's much faster to clean surfaces and floors once the extra stuff is gone. Then work through each room from the top down, dusting before you wipe, and leave the floors until last so dust and crumbs don't land on a clean floor.
Spring cleaning checklist: every room
- Dust cobwebs from ceilings, cornices and high corners
- Dust light fittings and ceiling fans
- Wipe light switches, door frames and handles with a damp cloth
- Clean windows, sills and tracks
- Dust and wipe skirting boards
- Mop hard floors (a wide flat mop sweeps as it goes)
Kitchen
- Empty the fridge, wipe the shelves and throw out anything past its date
- Wipe cupboard doors and handles
- Clean the rangehood filter and the splashback
- Pull out what you can and clean the floor underneath
- Finish by mopping the whole floor
Living areas and bedrooms
- Vacuum any carpet and rugs, including under sofas and beds
- Wipe down shelves, side tables and TV units
- Wash cushion covers, throws and bedding
- Rotate mattresses if the maker recommends it
- Mop hard floors, including under the furniture
Bathroom and laundry
- Clear out expired products
- Scrub soap scum from tiles and grout
- Clean the exhaust fan cover
- Wipe the washing machine seal and detergent drawer
- Mop the floor last, once everything above it is done
How do you finish the floors?
- No need to sweep first. A wide flat microfibre mop picks up the dust you've knocked down as you go. Vacuum the rugs separately.
- Mop with a barely damp pad and a cleaner that suits your floor.
- Change the water as soon as it looks cloudy.
- Dry or buff the floor so it's ready to walk on.
Our guide to how to mop floors properly covers each floor type.
How do you keep it going after spring?
A short weekly routine stops the build-up coming back: sweep the busy areas most days, mop weekly, and dust from the top down once a month.
One mop for the whole checklist
The Cleanmatic 8-in-1 self-wringing flat mop and bucket set handles the floors, and its wipe holder lets you run a cloth over cabinets and skirting too. Push the mop into the bucket, pull it back through the double scrapers, and the pad comes out damp and ready. Your hands stay on the handle.
Frequently asked questions
When should you spring clean in Australia?
Any time from September, once it's warm enough to open the windows and dry washing outside. A sunny weekend is the best time, because airing rooms and drying bedding outdoors makes the job faster.
How long does a spring clean take?
A full weekend for most homes, or one room an evening over a week or two. Decluttering first saves the most time, because every surface and floor is quicker to clean once it's clear.
What do people most often forget?
Skirting boards, light switches, the rangehood filter, the washing machine seal and the floor under the fridge. They're on the checklist above so they don't get missed.
Related guides: How to mop floors properly · What to put in mop water · How to mop tiles without streaks