After spending the winter cooped up indoors with the heat blasting and the windows firmly shut, dust, dirt, and grime can start to build up in a big way. That’s typically when spring cleaning starts to call your name. From wiping down baseboards to decluttering kitchen cabinets, spring cleaning is all about tackling those tasks that have piled up for months. And for Danny Leung, an interior designer and the founder of Detoorp, the shift is just as emotional as it is practical.
“Studies show a clean, ordered home reduces stress and improves focus," he says. "And when you create a solid baseline during spring cleaning, keeping a tidy home stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like genuinely caring for your space, and yourself.” So, wondering when—and how—to start? Keep reading for Leung’s tips on the best time to begin, which tasks to tackle first, and how to make the whole process feel more manageable—and even enjoyable!
When to start spring cleaning and why.
There’s no hard-and-fast rule about when to start spring cleaning, but experts typically suggest beginning in late winter or early spring, when the days start getting longer and natural light makes dust and buildup more visible.
"Late February through to mid-March is the sweet spot," Leung says. "The moment you start to notice that the days are longer and pale morning light is flooding in, that's your cue. Starting earlier also means you're not scrambling to sort it all out when you'd rather be outside enjoying spring properly."
Rather than tackling everything in one exhausting day, Leung suggests breaking up the process into manageable sessions. “Spreading it across two or three weekends means you give each area proper attention rather than rushing and cutting corners," he says.
And as for the best time of day to clean, Leung recommends mid-morning, between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon. “After that, the natural light shifts angles and you lose visibility of dust and streaks,” he explains. "You've also got more energy and focus in the morning before fatigue sets in."
Which tasks should you tackle first?
Once you’ve picked your start date, it’s time to think strategy. Leung recommends working from top to bottom to avoid doubling your efforts.
“Always start high and work your way down," he says. "Clean ceiling corners, light fixtures, and the tops of cupboards before you touch the floors. Dust falls downward, so if you vacuum first and dust second, you've created double the work.”
After that, focus on the areas that tend to get overlooked during everyday cleaning.
"Prioritize the spaces that get overlooked all year, like behind the fridge, inside kitchen cupboards, bathroom grout, and windows, inside and out," he says. "And, remember to always declutter before you deep clean!"
Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
