Wondering how long does a full spring clean take? The answer depends on the size of your home, how much cleaning needs to be done and whether you’re tackling it yourself or getting professional help. A spring clean usually goes beyond your regular routine, covering jobs like cleaning inside cupboards, washing windows, moving furniture and tackling built-up grime.
How long does a spring clean take?
A smaller, well-maintained home may take a few hours, while a larger home or one needing a more thorough clean could take most of a day or longer.
The biggest factors are:
- The size of your home
- Number of rooms and bathrooms
- How regularly you clean
- How much clutter needs sorting
- How much built-up dirt there is
- Whether you’re cleaning windows, appliances and soft furnishings
- Whether you’re doing it yourself or getting professional help
Before you start, work out what actually needs attention. You may not need to deep clean every part of your home.
What takes the longest during a spring clean?
It’s usually the jobs outside your normal cleaning routine that add the most time.
Decluttering
Going through wardrobes, cupboards and drawers can take longer than expected, particularly if you’re deciding what to keep, donate, sell or throw away.
The kitchen
A spring clean can involve much more than wiping counters and mopping floors. Cleaning the inside of cupboards, fridge, oven, extractor fan and other appliances can add hours to the job.
The bathroom
Deep cleaning grout, shower glass, drains, cupboards and hard-to-reach areas takes more time than a regular bathroom clean.
Windows
Cleaning windows properly means tackling the glass, frames, sills and tracks.
Soft furnishings
Curtains, rugs, sofas, cushions, mattresses and heavier bedding all need different cleaning methods and care.
Hard-to-reach areas
Moving furniture, cleaning underneath beds and sofas, dusting ceiling fans and cleaning the tops of cupboards can quickly add up.
How long does it take to spring clean each room?
Every home is different, so it’s better to think about your spring clean room by room rather than setting one strict time limit.
- Bedroom: Bedding, mattress, wardrobe, furniture and floors
- Kitchen: Cupboards, appliances, surfaces and floors
- Bathroom: Shower, bath, grout, cupboards and floors
- Living room: Sofa, curtains, rugs, furniture and floors
- Outdoor areas: Patio, balcony, furniture and braai area
This also makes it easier to spread the work over several days.
Can you spring clean your house in one day?
You can, particularly if your home is already well maintained and you’re focusing on seasonal jobs.
But if you’re decluttering, deep cleaning appliances, washing windows, cleaning upholstery and tackling every room, trying to finish everything in one day can be challenging.
Instead, prioritise the jobs that don’t fit into your usual cleaning routine. You can also split your spring clean over a weekend or tackle one room at a time during the week.
How to make your spring clean take less time
1. Declutter before you clean
Cleaning a clear surface is much quicker than cleaning around piles of things.
2. Work from top to bottom
Start with ceiling fans, light fittings and high shelves before moving down to furniture and floors.
3. Work room by room
Finishing one space before moving onto the next makes it easier to track your progress.
4. Have your supplies ready
Gather your cleaning products, cloths, brushes and rubbish bags before you start so you aren’t constantly stopping to find what you need.
5. Don’t try to do everything
A spring clean doesn’t have to mean cleaning every single item in your home. Focus on the areas that need it most.
How often should you do a full spring clean?
You don’t need to wait for spring to deep clean your home. Your regular cleaning routine should take care of everyday dirt and dust, while larger jobs can be spread throughout the year.
Spring is simply a useful reminder to tackle the seasonal jobs you’ve been putting off. Clean your windows when they need it, deep clean appliances periodically and declutter cupboards when they start becoming difficult to manage.
When should you get help with spring cleaning?
If your spring cleaning list is looking like it will take up your entire weekend, getting some help can make the job much more manageable. Sweepsouth can help with the cleaning, laundry, moving cleaning, and more helpful services.
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