Spring cleaning: a complete guide to deep cleaning your home
Spring cleaning is the annual deep clean where you tackle what your regular routine misses: behind furniture, inside cabinets, windows, baseboards, and textiles. Start by airing out thoroughly, decluttering, and then work room by room, from top to bottom. Set aside a whole weekend for a typical apartment, or split the job into two or three evenings if you prefer to do a little at a time.
What is spring cleaning, and where do you start?
Regular cleaning keeps surfaces in check. Spring cleaning goes deeper: dust on top of cabinets, grease behind the stove, limescale under the tap, and everything you usually overlook the rest of the year. The idea is simple – one thorough round a year makes the house easier to keep clean afterward.
Start by decluttering, not cleaning. It's hard to wipe a shelf full of things. Remove what shouldn't be there, throw away or donate what you don't use, and gather your cleaning supplies in one place. Always work from top to bottom, and from inside out, so dust and dirt fall towards the floor, which you'll clean last.
How to get started
- Air out and declutter. Open windows, gather loose items, and empty trash and recycling before you begin.
- Make a plan per room. Write a short list to avoid jumping back and forth.
- Clean from top to bottom. Ceilings, baseboards, and lamps first, floors last.
- Take one room at a time. Finish the room before moving on – it feels more manageable.
- Start textiles early. Put curtains or blankets in the washing machine while you work on something else.
- Finish with floors and windows. These are the last surfaces that often get dirty during the process.
Which room-by-room plan should you follow?
A fixed sequence saves time. The table below shows tasks easily forgotten in regular cleaning but that belong in a spring round.
| Room | Don't forget these |
|---|---|
| Living room | Behind and under the sofa, baseboards, lamps, curtains, dust on bookshelves |
| Kitchen | Extractor filter, behind and under appliances, inside cabinets, refrigerator |
| Bathroom | Grout, showerhead, drain, mirror, behind the toilet |
| Bedroom | Flip mattress, wash bedding at 60 degrees, dust behind the bed |
| Hallway | Shoes and outerwear out, clean shoe rack and door frames |
Many choose to tackle the heavy rooms – kitchen and bathroom – first, while they are fresh. Then the rest becomes an easier task at the end.
How do you clean windows without streaks?
Clean windows on an overcast day or when the sun is not directly on them. In direct sun, the cleaning solution dries too quickly and leaves streaks. Use lukewarm water with a little dish soap, a squeegee to remove the water, and a clean microfiber cloth for the edges. Clean the inside and outside panes separately, so you can easily see which side any streaks are on.
Window frames collect winter dust and dead insects. Vacuum them first, then wipe with a damp cloth. If you want the full procedure, we have a separate guide to streak-free windows.
What do you do with textiles in spring?
Textiles collect dust, odors, and pollen throughout the winter. Here's what to tackle in your spring round:
- Curtains: wash at the recommended temperature, preferably while you work in the same room.
- Bedding and duvets: wash at 60 degrees to get rid of dust mites.
- Blankets, pillows, and rugs: air outside on a cold, dry day, or wash what can be washed.
- Mattress: flip it, vacuum the top, and air the room thoroughly.
- Sofa and armchairs: vacuum in crevices and under cushions.
Never shake rugs and bedding indoors during pollen season – you'll just stir up everything you wanted to get rid of. Do it outside, or beat textiles on a rainy day when the air is clean.
How do you clean the kitchen and extractor fan?
The kitchen is where spring cleaning makes the biggest difference, because grease builds up where you don't see it. Remove the extractor filter and soak it in hot water with dish soap, or run the metal filter through the dishwasher. Wipe down the fan itself and the wall behind the stove – there's often a thin layer of grease that traps dust.
Pull out the stove and refrigerator if you can, and clean the floor and wall behind them. Empty the refrigerator, wash the shelves, and check expiration dates while you're at it. Wipe the inside of the upper cabinets with a lightly damp cloth. Finish by washing out the trash can and changing the filter or bag.
How do you get the bathroom really clean?
The bathroom needs a little chemistry and a little time. Spray the grout and shower walls with a product for limescale and soap scum, let it work for a few minutes, then scrub. The showerhead can be soaked in vinegar water if it's covered in limescale – but not for too long on chrome or plated finishes (nickel, brass, gold); rinse after about 30 minutes. Do not use vinegar on natural stone or marble. Remember the drain – lift the grate, remove hair and grime, and flush thoroughly. Finish with mirrors and faucets using a dry microfiber cloth for a shiny finish.
Replace old shower curtains and decorative pillows if they have mold or odor. It's often simpler and cheaper than trying to save them.
What about the patio and outdoor furniture?
When the sun comes out, life moves outdoors. Hose down the patio or balcony, sweep away winter grime between the boards, and wash the railing. Outdoor furniture made of wood, plastic, or metal should be wiped with mild soapy water – strong cleaners can damage the surface. Air out cushions and pads before using them. At the same time, check if anything needs repair or oil before the season.
How do you keep pollen out during spring cleaning?
Pollen season in Norway often starts with alder and hazel in February-March, then birch in April-May, and grass throughout the summer. This makes timing important. Air out early in the morning when pollen counts are lowest, and keep windows closed in the middle of the day during peak periods.
A few simple steps help a lot:
- Dust with a damp cloth, not dry – a dry cloth stirs up pollen again.
- Clean flat surfaces more often during the season, as that's where pollen settles.
- Change bedding more frequently, and don't hang it to dry outside on days with high pollen counts.
- Change clothes and take off outerwear in the hallway, so you bring less pollen into your home.
When should you hire a professional?
If you want to skip the whole job, or don't have time during a busy spring, you can outsource the deep clean. An agency typically charges 450-550 NOK/hour in 2026, and a thorough round in a typical apartment often costs a few thousand NOK – prices vary with size and standard. It can also be worth it if you have high ceilings, many windows, or just want the windows professionally cleaned.
Always check that the company is approved in the Renholdsregisteret (Cleaning Register). All cleaning businesses in Norway must be registered, and it is illegal to purchase cleaning services from an unregistered company. A reputable agency will have HMS cards (health, safety, and environment cards) for its employees and an agreement with an occupational health service.
If you are moving, this is a different exercise than spring cleaning – specific standards apply. See the move-out cleaning checklist and what a move-out cleaning costs. If you're wondering how often you should clean throughout the year, we have an overview of how often you should clean your home.
