Spring is finally here and no other time of year is more synonymous with cleaning and resetting. Don't forget to clean these 7 vital and unexpected things in your home this April to avoid pest problems and allergy flares.
While cracking through your usual spring cleaning checklist, you'll likely turn to the usual culprits: windows, doors and curtains. But what about the things cleaning pros recommend cleaning this month specifically?
Here, they share their cleaning tips for sprucing up your space this spring, with tasks to tick off this April.
7 Things to Clean in April
1. Bedding
Refresh your bedding and store away heavier winter blankets and comforters.
With warm weather to harness the benefits of air-drying laundry, April is the perfect time to wash bed sheets, wash pillows and wash your comforter, says Carolina Kazimierski, president and co-owner of Sophia's Cleaning Service.
'I like to do this in spring just as a regular part of my spring refresh, since my experience is that fabrics lock in and really hold onto some of those musty, stale odors that can build up in our homes over winter,' she explains. 'Spring is also great for this since it's warm enough to dry things outside!'
Carolina advises popping any items that are machine washable into your machine (remember to check the laundry symbols first) before hanging them out to dry, either on a washing line or drying rack, such as the KINGRACK Expandable Clothes Drying Rack available at Walmart. For any things to never put in the washing machine, opt for hand-washing, to avoid any bedding laundry mistakes.
'Afterward, I notice an immediate difference in how fresh my home smells,' she continues.
Alicia Sokolowki, cleaning expert and co-CEO of AspenClean, adds that you're likely to switch to lighter bedding around the time that April comes, so it's the perfect time to clean and store heavier comforters and blankets.
'Ensure everything is completely dry before storing in a breathable bag,' she says, such as the SLEEPING LAMB 120L Extra Large Blanket Storage Bag available at Amazon. If you're struggling for space, once you have washed and thoroughly dried your winter bedding, stow away in a vacuum storage bag, available from Walmart, that shrinks the packet down to a fraction of its previous size, and keeps it smelling like fresh laundry when you pull it back out for use in fall.
Don't forget about washing dog beds, either, adds Carolina, which is a spring cleaning tip for pet owners to neutralize odors in the warmer weather.
All prices correct at time of publication.
This gentle and hypoallergenic detergent is ideal for deep-cleaning your bedding without leaving any skin irritating residues, and works on 100% of stains.
This strong steel drying rack collapses compactly for storage and keeps clothes from flying off in the breeze.
This retractable clothesline is easy to install in a matter of minutes. Once mounted, it effortlessly extends up to 13.9 feet, and retracts with one touch.
2. Refrigerator Coils
Taking the time in April to clean your refrigerator coils will help to reduce energy consumption over the warmer months.
Do you know how to clean coils on a fridge? Whether you do or don't, April is the ideal month to get acquainted with this task, says Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless.
'Cleaning the coils before summer improves efficiency, helping your fridge run cooler and use less energy,' she explains, helping you to cut energy bills and save money at home in turn.
'Unplug the fridge and locate the coils behind or beneath the unit. Use a vacuum attachment or coil brush to remove dust buildup.'
You can also use compressed air, such as the Office Depot Cleaning Duster available at Amazon, or a Compressed Air Duster, also available at Amazon to gently remove dust from coils when you can't safely or easily get your hand around the area. Just have your vacuum handy to clean the floor when it's settled down.
This cleaning brush can be used for your tumble dryer vents and refrigerator coils, which will also lower the amount of common fire risks in your home.
3. Trash Cans and Recycling
Cleaning trash cans and recycling bins now will prevent a pest invasion and lingering odors later.
As Will Cotter, cleaning expert and COO of HappyCleans, says, 'When spring rolls in, so do the bugs. Even tiny bits of food, sugary spills, and old organic waste can attract them. That's why a deep clean now can save you from a full-blown pest invasion later.'
To clean your trash cans, bring them outside and rinse them using a garden hose, advises Will. 'Add a bit of Dawn Ultra Liquid Dish Soap available at Walmart and a splash of hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria and neutralize odors. Scrub with a sponge, then rinse.' We recommend the Great Value Non-Scratch Scrub Sponges available at Walmart for this. You can also pick up hydrogen peroxide at Walmart.
'If you got stainless steel bins, you can rinse them with hot water to disinfect, continues Will. 'Once dry, put two liners. One is fine but personally, I opt to double bag so I don’t have to worry if the other tears.
'Do the same for the compost bin, but for the liner, use old newspaper or paper towels. It will soak up excess moisture, so the cleanup will be way easier next time.'
These scrubbing brushes are flexible, durable and strong, yet effective and gentle when it comes to cleaning. They're also made from 100% recycled plastic, perfect for being sustainable at home.
These unscented trash bags feature a dependable drawstring closure, with superior strength and puncture resistance.
This dish soap fights grease and dirt, and is an EPA Safer Choice certified and USDA certified bio based product.
4. Floors
Remove any lingering winter grime from entryways, mudrooms and high traffic areas of your home that meet with the outside.
While cleaning the floor is likely part of your achievable cleaning routine, it still deserves a spring deep clean to remove any lingering grime, says Jessica Ek from the American Cleaning Institute.
'Start by vacuuming or sweeping to clear away dirt, dust, and crumbs,' she says. 'Then, grab your mop and cleaning solution to give the floors a thorough clean. If you have hardwood floors, spring is the ideal time to clean real wood floors with a wood cleaner, or apply a liquid or paste polish to refresh the surface and add a fresh wax coating.'
Pay close attention to the floors in spaces that connect with the outdoors, as these are likely to have taken the brunt of wet and muddy early spring weather.
This brush features angled bristles, to effortlessly remove over 99% of dust and debris from cracks and crevices in one single sweep.
This mop system removes over 99% of bacteria with just water so you can clean without harsh chemicals. The mop head design powerfully removes grease, grime and dirt from all hard-surfaced floors.
There's no rinsing required with this all-natural wood cleaner. It's also cruelty-free and scented with almonds. When our contributing editor tried it, she loved the luxury scent it left behind.
5. Carpets
Remove winter dirt and dust mites from carpets to combat allergens
As cleaning expert Karina says, 'April is the ideal time for deep cleaning and seasonal maintenance as the weather shifts to spring.
'One important task is cleaning carpets and upholstery since winter brings in dirt and moisture that settle into fabrics,' she advises. 'A deep clean removes allergens and refreshes indoor spaces.'
For this, you can steam clean carpet, or clean a carpet without a machine, using baking soda or an effective enzyme cleaner, such as the Nature's Miracle Dog Stain and Odor Remover for Carpet available at Walmart.
This bio-enzymatic carpet shampoo uses odor-locking technology to remove deep-set stains with a professional strength formula.
6. Garbage Disposal
Freshen up your garbage disposal indoors to banish bad odors from the kitchen.
As Jon Riding, owner of Evergreen Cleaning Company, highlights, the warmer weather of spring can intensify lingering odors from the drain and garbage disposal, which is why it's important to clean your garbage disposal in April.
'Drop citrus peels and ice cubes into the disposal, run cold water, then follow with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to naturally deodorize,' he advises. We recommend the ARM & HAMMER Pure Baking Soda available at Walmart for this, which has hundreds of uses from cleaning to deodorizing around the house.
7. Behind Furniture
Move furniture to remove dust and dirt from beneath and behind.
Finally, don't forget to clean under furniture this month, says cleaning expert Jessica Ek, to avoid triggering seasonal allergies, which often start to rear their head in April as flowers bloom and pets shed.
'When was the last time you cleaned behind your furniture?' she asks. 'It’s an often-overlooked task, but dust and debris can accumulate over time, triggering allergies – especially when we spend more time indoors during the winter.
'To tackle these spaces, which are among the hardest household cleaning tasks, you’ll need the right tools. We recommend using vacuum attachments or expandable dusters to get into tight areas and make the job much easier.'
This duster features a telescopic handle that extends up to three feet, with a microfiber head to trap and lock dust from every direction.
Meet the Experts
Alicia has over 17 years of cleaning experience, specializing in creating healthy and green alternatives to chemical-based cleaning products and services.
Karina has numerous contributions in Homes & Gardens, Real Homes, The Spruce, and many more, with extensive expertise about which cleaning tasks to tick off each month.
Sophia's Cleaning Service was founded in 1984, and has since become one of Chicago’s longest-standing and best reviewed cleaning companies.
HappyCleans is featured on Cosmopolitan, Architectural Digest and more, offering all kinds of services from regular cleaning to move-in/ move-out cleaning, and everything in-between.
The ACI serves the growth and innovation of the U.S. cleaning products industry by advancing people's health and quality of life, and protecting the planet.
Jon is the owner of Evergreen Cleaning Company, a professional cleaning service focused on eco-friendly, non-toxic solutions for homes and businesses. With years of experience, Jon helps clients create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable living space.
FAQs
What month should I do spring cleaning?
Once you've put together your spring cleaning checklist, wait until the weather warms up and days start getting longer. Then, work through tasks in March, April and May, before summer officially begins.
It's not just cleaning that you need to get done this month. There are also things to declutter in April, from your linen closet to your cleaning cabinet
