The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist for Perth Homes: Declutter First, Then Clean Naturally

There's a reason spring cleaning is a thing. After a long Perth winter of closed windows, sick days and muddy shoes, our homes are ready for a reset - and so are we.

But here's what most spring cleaning lists get wrong: they tell you to start scrubbing. We think you should start by letting go.

I'm writing this in full nesting mode (baby #3 is on the way!) and I've spent the last few weeks pulling everything out of cupboards, clearing kids' books when nobody's watching (because... kids, am I right?!), listing homewares on Facebook Marketplace and wondering how one family accumulates so many drink bottles. What I've noticed is that the cleaning part becomes so much faster and more satisfying once there's less stuff in the way.

So this checklist is in two parts: declutter first, then clean naturally. Work through it over a few weekends, or pick one room a week. And if you'd rather skip straight to the clean bit, well, that's what we're here for.

Why declutter before you clean?

It sounds obvious, but most of us do it backwards. We wipe around the things on the bench. We vacuum around the pile in the corner. We dust the shelf without moving what's on it.

Clearing the clutter first means:

Every surface actually gets cleaned, not cleaned around
Cleaning takes less time (you're not shuffling things from spot to spot)
Less stuff means less dust, fewer places for pollen and pet hair to settle, and easier upkeep for the rest of the year
Your home feels calmer, which is the whole point of spring cleaning anyway

Part 1: The declutter checklist (room by room)

Grab three bags or boxes before you start: Keep, Donate/Sell, Bin. Set a timer for 15 to 20 minutes per zone and stop when it goes off. Small wins add up.

Kitchen

Drink bottles and lids (keep one per person plus one spare - the rest go)
Containers without matching lids, or any that are chipped or damaged
Expired pantry items, spices and sauces
Duplicate utensils and gadgets you haven't used in a year
Chipped mugs and plates
Old tea towels and cloths (keep the good ones, cut the rest into rags)

Bathroom

Expired medications (return these to your local pharmacy, not the bin)
Old makeup, sunscreen and skincare past its date
Half-empty bottles of things you stopped using
Worn-out towels (animal shelters often take these)

Bedrooms and wardrobes

Anything you haven't worn since last spring
Clothes that don't fit or need repairs you'll never do
Odd socks you've never found the pair for and stretched underwear
Kids' clothes they've outgrown (do this while they're at school incase they're attached!)

Kids' rooms and play areas

Broken toys and games with missing pieces
Books they've outgrown (photograph favourites before they go)
Artwork and school papers - keep a small folder of the best, photograph the rest

Living areas

Homewares, cushions and artwork that no longer suit your style (Marketplace is brilliant for this)
Old magazines, manuals and paperwork
Cables and chargers for devices you no longer own
DVDs, games and books you won't revisit

Laundry and garage

Cleaning products you don't use or that have gone off (this is a great time to switch to low-tox options and/or learn to make your own)
Empty bottles and containers for recycling
Broken or duplicate tools
Anything you've been "meaning to fix" for more than a year

Tip: If something is going to Marketplace or the op shop, photograph and list it or put it in the car the same day. "Later" is how it ends up living in the garage until next spring.

Part 2: The natural spring cleaning checklist

Now that the surfaces are clear, this part goes fast. Work top to bottom in each room so dust falls onto surfaces you haven't cleaned yet.

You don't need harsh chemicals for any of this. A microfibre cloth, a plant-based multi-purpose spray, warm water and a few essential oils will do the vast majority of the job. (If you want to know why, we've written about the science behind natural cleaning.)

Whole house

Open every window and let the house air out for at least 30 minutes
Dust ceiling fans, light fittings and the tops of doors and cupboards
Wipe walls, skirting boards and door frames
Clean light switches, handles and remotes
Vacuum under and behind furniture
Wash curtains or wipe blinds
Clean window tracks and sills (an old toothbrush and a spray of multi-purpose cleaner work wonders)
Wash windows inside

Kitchen

Empty the fridge, wipe every shelf and drawer, check dates
Pull out the fridge and vacuum the coils/vents and floor behind it
Wipe inside cupboards and drawers before putting things back
Degrease the rangehood filter (soak in hot water with a squirt of dish liquid or a dishwasher tablet)
Clean the oven (see our natural kitchen deep clean guide)
Descale the kettle and run a cleaning cycle in the dishwasher
Sanitise chopping boards and the sink with halved lemon and salt

Bathroom

Wash the shower curtain or scrub the screen
Descale shower heads and taps
Clean grout with a paste of bicarb and a little water (scrub, then rinse)
Wipe down cabinet interiors
Wash bath mats and replace toothbrushes

Bedrooms

Strip beds and wash everything, including mattress protectors and pillows if they're washable
Vacuum mattresses and flip or rotate them
Wipe inside wardrobes and drawers before refilling
Dust bedside tables, lamps and headboards

Living areas

Vacuum couches (take the cushions off) and spot clean stains
Wash cushion covers and throws
Dust bookshelves and every item on them
Clean TV screens and electronics with a dry microfibre cloth

Laundry

Run an empty hot cycle in the washing machine with a cup of white vinegar
Wipe out the detergent drawer and the rubber seal on front loaders
Clean the dryer lint filter and vacuum behind the machines
Wipe down the laundry tub and cupboards

Outside

Sweep and hose paths, patios and balconies
Wipe outdoor furniture
Clean door mats and the front entry
Clear cobwebs from eaves and outdoor lights

Make it stick: three habits for after the big clean

The one-in, one-out rule. Something new comes in, something old goes out. Especially for toys, mugs and (yes) drink bottles.
A 10-minute evening reset. Benches clear, dishes done, cushions back. It keeps the spring-clean feeling going for months.
Outsource the basics. A regular professional clean every fortnight means the floors, bathrooms and kitchen never fall behind, and your weekends go back to being weekends.

Want the deep clean done for you?

We help busy Perth households get their homes back to fresh using all-natural, low-tox products. Whether you want a one-off spring clean or ongoing regular support, we'd love to help. We service most of the Perth metro area, North and South of the River.

Get a free quote or call us on (08) 6629 4494.

And if you know someone who could really use a hand with their home right now, our "Clean Home, Pure Life" free monthly clean is back. Nominate them (or yourself) today.