Every year, people exhaust themselves spring cleaning their homes, but does it need to be a struggle? With our top tips, you can make spring cleaning a breeze that you don’t have to dread.
Nicola Morris is the owner of Merry Maids Fylde Blackpool and Preston and has been working in the cleaning sector for 22 years.
Merry Maids has more than 30 franchisees in the UK and specialises in providing domestic cleaning. All Merry Maid franchises are independently owned and run. Merry Maids of Fylde & Blackpool provide domestic cleaning services in Fylde & Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, Kirkham, Poulton le Fylde, and Freckleton on a weekly, fortnightly, or four weekly basis.
The company also provides spring cleans, house move cleans, end of tenancy cleans, builders cleans and cleans to prepare your home for a special occasions.
While the thought of a freshly decluttered and cleaned home no doubt sounds appealing, the thought of doing that work probably fills you with a sense of dread.
Dirt and muck hide in even the smallest nooks and crannies, and tackling a whole home’s worth of mess can easily overwhelm you.
Yet, with a few simple strategies, you can tick off your spring cleaning checklist without feeling too stressed or tired – and doesn’t that sound great?
In most homes, people have a regular cleaning routine that keeps the property in a pretty clean and tidy state throughout most of the year.
Despite this, muck and grime will probably accumulate in those harder-to-reach spots. Spring cleaning is the traditional name for the annual deep cleaning of your home, to eliminate that stubborn dirt.
It’s also an opportunity to declutter your home. By getting rid of unwanted or unused items, you can create new space for other uses and purchases.

There’s no exact measure for how long it takes to clean your house. You have to consider the size of the building, how messy and mucky it is, and whether you’re tackling cleaning tasks by yourself.
Some people prefer to knock out their spring cleaning in a single weekend. They blitz through each task, so it doesn’t drag on any longer than necessary.
Other people take a more measured approach, cleaning away consistently – but less intensively – over a longer period of days or even weeks.
According to Nicola Morris, owner of Merry Maids Fylde Blackpool and Preston, “Spring cleaning can certainly be an overwhelming task for some homeowners who may not be up to this physical task anymore and professional help may be required.
“However, do not underestimate the work involved in a full spring clean, especially if regular cleaning in the home has not been a priority! For homeowners who want to tackle it themselves, be realistic about what you can get done in one go.”
There’s no right approach here. It’s about what suits you and your schedule.
If deep cleaning your home simply doesn’t come naturally, don’t panic. Here are our favourite spring cleaning strategies to make life easier during this annual event.
1. Create a checklist
Before starting, make sure you have a clear idea of what needs doing. Write a list of the different chores that need completing, split up into different rooms.
You should also take some time to write out the home cleaning supplies you’ll need. Once you’re done with this, compare your list with your cleaning inventory.
This doesn’t just help you plan out your chores and track your progress but gives you an idea of what you’ll need to spend on your spring cleaning.
2. Gather supplies
With your newly written spring cleaning checklist, you should have a good idea of the different cleaning supplies and equipment you’ll need to refresh your home.
If you’re missing anything from the list, head to the shops and pick up some cleaning supplies. Essentials include multi-purpose spray cleaners, microfibre cloths, and bin bags.
Be careful with what you purchase, though. General cleaning solutions aren't always suitable for different surfaces and materials.
For example, you need pH-neutral solutions to clean laminate flooring, and to avoid steam cleaners and lots of water, otherwise damage could occur.
With your checklist and your cleaning solutions assembled, you should have everything you need to start the spring cleaning process – and won’t be interrupted later on.
3. Start small
When your whole house needs clearing out and cleaning, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Don’t worry, though, it’s okay to start small.
Use your checklist to target specific areas in a logical order. Some people get high-traffic areas out of the way first, but you can dip your toes in with lesser-used rooms if you prefer.
Making incremental progress – ticking off chores from your checklist, one at a time – is not only rewarding but stops you from feeling overwhelmed.
Nicola recommends tackling the home in bitesize pieces. She says to “Decide how far you want to go. Ideally, for a spring clean, you would want to pull out as much furniture as possible and potentially get on high ladders to reach tops of wardrobes, but it’s up to you whether you want to empty every single cupboard and drawer to clean inside them, or maybe just inside the kitchen cupboards.
“Tackle one room at a time. Work from top to bottom, left to right, washing all the woodwork rather than just dusting it. Once this has been done, the regular cleaning will be so much quicker and easier!”
4. Declutter first
Spring cleaning is all about driving away your home’s most stubborn dirt and muck – but it’s difficult to do that when there’s a whole mess of clutter in your way.
Removing larger items can be particularly effective. You can either hire a removals team or grab a suitable vehicle, learn how to use ratchet straps, and get to work yourself.
You’ll find deep cleaning your home much easier once you’ve decluttered and removed these obstacles. As a bonus, your home will feel more spacious and organised after cleaning is done, too.
Get rid of items you no longer need or use. You can donate, sell, or recycle anything that’s taking up unnecessary space.
Want to hire someone? Read our guide on how much house removals cost for some quick insights.
5. Set timers
Splitting your cleaning sessions into smaller increments with breaks in between can make the entire process feel like less of a slog.
Set timers, working for 20 or 30 minutes at a time, then take a short 5-minute break to rest and recharge.
This doesn’t just stop you from becoming exhausted but keeps you more engaged, focused, and efficient when you’re decluttering and cleaning.
6. Get everyone involved
Nobody should need to bear the burden of deep cleaning a home by themselves. If anyone else lives with you, make sure they’re doing their fair share!
Delegate tasks between yourselves to lighten the workload and make the spring cleaning process a little faster and easier.
Even children can help – just make sure you’re giving them age-appropriate chores that you won’t end up having to repeat.
Nicola also recommends bringing in professionals to tackle more specific tasks like oven cleaning and window cleaning. She says “If you are doing most of the spring clean yourself, perhaps employ an oven cleaning professional for that task and ask your window cleaner to do the windows on the inside too on their next visit to lighten the load.”
Proper oven cleaning can save you from eventual repair issues and the cost of replacing your gas oven.
You might also consider a professional for cleaning out your deep fat fryer – though you can certainly follow our deep fat fryer cleaning guide as an alternative.
7. Treat yourself
For the most part, people don’t relish cleaning their homes. If you need a little extra motivation, give yourself a reward after each cleaning session or milestone.
Whether it’s a tasty snack, an episode of your favourite show, or a special outing, it’s important to recognise your progress and hard work.
Knowing there’s a treat around the corner can really spur you on – and, of course, this tactic works just as well with your cleaning companions.
8. Ask for help
If you’re struggling to stay on top of spring cleaning despite these tips, there’s no shame in hiring a cleaner to take on the work for you.
Professional house cleaning services can make quick work of even the messiest of homes, and without any need for you to pitch in.
If you don’t have the time, energy, or inclination, you can always hire a cleaner from the start. By doing so, you can save money on buying cleaning supplies and tools.
Professional cleaners handle everything from window and carpet cleaning to oven cleaning and steam cleaning the floors. They’ll clean up your house from top to bottom.
“A clean home is beneficial for both your mental and physical health,” concludes Nicola.
“As professional cleaners, we work to a routine of spring cleaning one room at each visit, whilst doing a regular clean to the other rooms. Homeowners who prefer to do the work themselves could follow this routine to avoid the overwhelming task of a massive spring clean in one go."
Just make sure you know how to find the best cleaners near you – this way, you can feel sure that you’re getting good value for money.

The verdict’s in – spring cleaning doesn’t have to be daunting. With our tips, you can make the process quicker, simpler, and less stressful.
Prepare thoroughly, break down the tasks into manageable steps, and band together to divide up the work. The muck won’t stand a chance!
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