Over 93% of British households do a spring clean each year — that’s more than 26 million homes refreshing their spaces after winter. But while the tradition is common, the task itself can feel anything but simple. Between shifting furniture, emptying cupboards, and scrubbing overlooked corners, it’s easy to feel daunted before you’ve even begun.
That’s where this quick and easy spring cleaning checklist comes in. Whether you’re spring cleaning in London or just need a better plan, we’ve got tips to help you spring clean your home (or business) in less time — and with less waste. Let’s get started.
Preparing for a Spring Clean: What You’ll Need
Before you roll up your sleeves, make sure you’ve got the right tools on hand — without rushing out to buy more plastic. Where possible, choose reusable, natural or low-waste alternatives to the usual cleaning kit.
You don’t need a cupboard full of gear — just the basics: a microfibre cloth (or an old T-shirt), reusable gloves, a mop, a hoover, and a few natural ingredients like vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.
Looking for eco-friendly options? Switch to natural cleaning solutions like white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, or citric acid. They’re effective, low-impact, and reduce the need for harsh chemicals in your home. Bonus points if you refill your cleaning products rather than replacing them — many UK shops now offer eco-refill stations for household liquids.
How to Spring Clean your House in a Day
If time is tight, you can still get impressive results in just 24 hours — with the right approach. Here’s how to spring clean your house in a day while avoiding burnout:
- Start by clearing out bulky items
Move furniture into storage or slide it to the centre of the room so you can clean behind, underneath, and around it. Forget squeezing behind furniture or chasing cobwebs into corners. - Break your homes into zones
Spring cleaning is overwhelming. It’s especially hard to get motivated if you don’t know where to start! You can make the process easier on yourself by separating your house into ‘zones’ – kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, living room and utility room. Arrange the zones by dirt level (kitchen and bathrooms will probably be at the top). That way, you can work your way down from the most urgent rooms to the ‘easier’ tasks at the end of the day. - Enlist help from friends and family
Don’t go it alone if you can help it. Assign tasks to housemates or family members. Even kids can help by sorting laundry or wiping down surfaces — and it’s a great way to teach responsibility.
Tips for Doing Spring Cleaning More Sustainably
It’s important to remember that throwing items away is a last resort. Before you put anything into the rubbish pile, assess whether it’s in good condition; many items can be resold on sites like Facebook Marketplace and Ebay, while others can be given away to charity. You’d be surprised how many people will collect things you no longer need.
It’s also worth creating a “reuse” pile before rushing out to replace things. Old T-shirts make great cleaning cloths, and empty glass jars can be reused for pantry storage. Repurposing what you already have reduces waste — and cuts down on what you need to buy.
If you’re tackling a spring clean in a commercial space— like a rental property, Airbnb, or business premises— remember that sustainable practices are just as important and can also cut costs in the long run. Choose refillable dispensers, green-certified cleaning services, and bulk buy wherever possible to reduce single-use plastic.
Spring Cleaning in London? Make More Room to Clean
As a self storage provider, we’ve helped thousands of households tackle renovations and major declutters — and we know the toughest part of any spring clean is working around the clutter. If you’re constantly shifting boxes just to reach the skirting boards, you’re making the job harder than it needs to be. Instead, consider renting a short-term storage unit and clear out small to mid-sized items before you start.
This season, let your spring cleaning list focus not just on what to clean, but how to clean smarter. With the right approach, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and enjoy a fresher, more organised home.
Posted on 24th May 2019 by Sophie Bagnall | Last updated on 31st October 2025
