Laundry and kitchen spring cleaning list

Clean up spills and splatters on the inside of your oven

For normal spills and splatters:

1. Dilute a few squirts of mild dish soap in water.

    

2. Use a clean cloth dipped in the soapy water to scrub your oven.

Looking for an alternative? Self-cleaning ovens can turn grease into a powder that you can wipe away. Learn more about how to run a self-cleaning oven cycle.

Get your stove burners and grates clean

Follow this basic process for lightly soiled gas burners and grates:

1. Soak cooled cooking grates and burner caps in hot, soapy water for 20 minutes. If your grates are cast iron, don’t soak them unless they’re coated or seasoned. If you’re not sure how to clean stove grates that are un-coated cast iron, check your owner’s manual.

    

2. Wipe the burners with a soft cloth, using a soft bristled brush to remove stuck-on food as necessary.

    

3. Dry and replace the burner caps and grates.

For specific recommendations on how to clean different types of stovetops, plus how to handle heavier soils, please refer to your Use and Care Guide or read our guide on how to clean your burners and grates. 

Clean the inside of your fridge

To get started, follow these steps:

1. Remove food from your refrigerator and freezer and place it in coolers. Throw out spoiled or expired food, then take out the shelves and drawers to get them to room temperature.

    

2. Using a degreasing non-abrasive cleaner, wipe down the walls, ceiling and bottom of your refrigerator and rinse with a soft, damp cloth. 

    

3. With the same process, wipe down and rinse the drawers and shelves. Let them dry completely before replacing.

Finish cleaning your fridge with our in-depth tutorial on how to clean a refrigerator and our article on how to reorganize your food. Now is also a great time to replace your water filter.

Defrost your freezer (if needed)

Seeing at least 1/4 inch of ice buildup? Learn how to defrost your freezer to keep it working well. Here are the basics:

1. Unplug or turn off your freezer. Remove all food and place it in coolers.

    

2. Lay towels or plastic liners on the floor in front of your freezer. If your freezer has a drainage hose, place the end in a low basin or bucket.

    

3. Open the door and let the ice melt. You can point a fan at your freezer to help it melt slightly faster. Mop up the melted ice with rags or old towels.

    

4. Once all of the ice is melted and wiped away, mix one tablespoon of baking soda with four cups of hot water. Dip a rag in this solution and use it to wipe down the racks, inner walls and door of your freezer. Dry with a damp cloth.

Clean out your dishwasher filter

If you rinse your plates before loading them, you may only need to do this once a year. If your dishwasher filter is removable, start here then read how to clean a dishwasher filter for more details.

1. Remove your filter from the dishwasher. Consult your owner’s manual for the exact location.

    

2. Run water over the lower filter to remove debris. If needed, use a soft brush and dish soap as well. 

    

3. Return the filter to your dishwasher, making sure each piece is locked into place.

Clean and replace your microwave filters

An over-the-range microwave has two kinds of filters: a reusable grease filter to be washed monthly and a charcoal filter to be changed annually. For ways to take care of both, read about how to clean and replace your microwave filters. To replace the charcoal filter:

1. Make sure your microwave is turned off or disconnected from power, then remove the screws holding the top vent panel in place. 

    

2. Carefully remove the vent panel by tilting the top part down and lifting it away.

    

3. Locate and remove the charcoal filter. 

    

4. Replace with a new charcoal microwave filter and make sure it is properly positioned and secure.

    

5. Replace the vent panel, and tighten in place with the original screws. 

Wipe down the outside of all your appliances

Stainless steel needs special care, so make sure to use affresh® cleaners and wipes that are made specifically for stainless.

Clean the outside of your cabinets

Using cleaners recommended by your cabinet and hardware manufacturers, follow these steps:

1. Wipe down the outside of your cabinets from top to bottom with a soft cloth dipped in warm water mixed with a squirt of dish soap or a recommended cleaner.

    

2. Scrub crevices of the hardware using a toothbrush with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water or a recommended cleaner.

    

3. Use a clean towel to thoroughly dry all surfaces.

Grease, smoke and food particles from cooking can turn into grime in your kitchen. Learn how using a range hood can help filter out these particles and help keep your kitchen clean.

Sanitize your sink with bleach

For a deeper than normal clean:

1. Fill your sink basin with a gallon of warm water and add a tablespoon of bleach. 

    

2. Use a sponge to wipe down the faucet, knobs and sink. Let it sit for a few minutes.

    

3. Drain, rinse and air dry. 

Deep clean your floors

The spaces under your range and refrigerator can trap crumbs and debris. Here’s how you can clean up:

1. Unplug and move out your appliances. See your appliance manuals for instructions on how to do this safely.

    

2. Pick up any larger pieces of debris, then vacuum using a hard floor attachment.

    

3. Mop the area and let it dry completely before moving your appliances back into place.

    

4. Finish by vacuuming and mopping the rest of your floor.

Clean the inside and outside of your washer

Have you been cleaning your washer once a month? If not, start now, with cleaning your washer tub. 

1. Remove any items left in the tub and add an affresh® Washing Machine Cleaner tablet to the bottom. If you don’t have tablets you may be able to use liquid chlorine bleach, but check your Use and Care Guide first.

    

2. Close the door and select your washer's cleaning cycle or a normal cycle with hot water setting.

    

3. For top load washers, run a rinse and spin cycle to clear away any excess cleansers after your cleaning cycle ends. 

    

4. Leave your washer door open to let the tub dry.

Next, read our guide on how to deep clean your washer—including the detergent dispenser, door and exterior.

Deep clean your dryer lint screen

It’s a good idea to clean your lint screen more thoroughly once every six months, especially if you notice hard-to-remove lint. 

1. Roll any remaining lint off of the screen, then wet both sides with hot water. 

    

2. Gently scrub the mesh with a nylon brush dipped in hot water and liquid detergent to remove any buildup.

    

3. Rinse with hot water and dry thoroughly before returning to your dryer. 

Clean your dryer drum, vents and duct system

You may only need to do this once every couple of years. Start by cleaning your dryer drum:

1. Clear or vacuum any debris before cleaning.

    

2. For an electric dryer, rub the drum with a soft cloth that has been dipped in a mild hand-wash dish soap diluted in very warm water. For a gas dryer, do the same with a liquid, nonflammable household cleaner.

    

3. For both an electric and gas dryer, rinse well with a wet sponge or towel.

    

4. Tumble a load of clean clothes or towels to dry the drum.

See our in-depth guide to cleaning your dryer drum and ducting to continue this important maintenance process.

Wash your comforters, mattress covers, pillows and curtains

Spring is a great time to wash these infrequently washed items. For more information on washing your bedding, read our article on how to wash comforters.

1. Bring all of your bedding and window coverings to the laundry room.

    

2. Check tags for care instructions and figure out how many loads you’ll need to wash. 

    

3. Open up your bedroom windows to let the breeze air out your mattress as you wash your bedding.

Wash and put away your winter gear

Clean your winter gear and store it away to make room in your closet for warm weather clothing.

1. Collect all the coats, hats, gloves, snow pants and sweaters that you need to wash.

    

2. Group your items by similar settings and cycles. Learn how to choose the right laundry cycles for winter items.

    

3. Wash and dry your gear, then store it away in plastic or fabric storage containers.

Vacuum and mop your laundry room floors

Clean up the spots that you normally miss or can't reach with this process:

1. Get caught up on your laundry, put all the clean clothes away and remove all baskets from the floor.

    

2. Unhook and move out your washer and dryer, then vacuum and mop under both before moving them back into place. Check your owner’s manuals for safe ways to disconnect and move your appliances.

    

3. Wipe off any countertops, then vacuum and mop the rest of the laundry room, working your way from the furthest corner to the door.

Reorganize and maximize your laundry storage

Set yourself up for success by making it easier to find your supplies and giving yourself room to fold.

1. Take a quick inventory of your laundry supplies and stock up on anything you’re missing.

    

2. Consider installing shelving above your washer and dryer to store detergent, laundry boosters, stain fighters and other essentials.

    

3. Create or convert as much flat space as possible into areas for mending or folding clothes. You can create a wall-mounted desk, repurpose a small table or even install a counter above your washer and dryer.

    

4. Make it easier to reach and transfer to the dryer by adding a washer and dryer pedestal for more height or extra storage.

Read our full list of tips for reorganizing your laundry room and pick the ideas that work for your space.