Most people wait until warm weather arrives to tackle their spring cleaning. By then, the damage is already done: a clogged AC circulating dust through every room, gutters overflowing into your foundation, and a fridge quietly burning through electricity because no one thought to check the coils. The smarter move is handling all of it now, before the first warm weekend makes you wish you had.
Here’s a room-by-room, system-by-system breakdown of what to tackle right now, with specific guidance from contractors, cleaning professionals, and home improvement specialists.
Start with a full declutter
Before you touch a single cleaning product, edit your space. Elena Ledoux of Superb Maids DC told Real Simple, “Get rid of things you don’t use or need. This not only makes cleaning easier but also leaves your space feeling more peaceful. Plus, it’s a great chance to donate items that could benefit others.”
This is the step most people skip because it feels tedious. But clearing out unused items before you start scrubbing means you’re cleaning less surface area, moving fewer things around, and actually finishing the job faster. A decluttered room is easier to maintain week over week, too. Think of it as reducing the friction on every future cleaning session.
Test your air conditioner now, clean it before you need it
Two separate tasks here, and both matter.
The first is a quick diagnostic. Kat Christine, licensed contractor and DIY expert, founder of She Fixed That LLC, told Real Simple: “Run your AC just to make sure it’s working properly. [This way], you’re ahead of the game when summer comes.”
Turn it on for a few minutes. Listen for unusual sounds. Confirm cold air is actually coming out. If something’s off, you have weeks to schedule a repair instead of competing with everyone else for a technician during the first heat wave.
The second task goes deeper. Over the winter months, dust, dirt, and debris accumulate in the filter, coils, and drain line, and all of that buildup forces the system to work harder to cool your space. That added strain reduces cooling performance, increases energy use, raises your utility bills, and puts extra wear on components that can lead to breakdowns or costly repairs.
Nick Hedberg, home improvement expert at As Is Homebuyer, put it bluntly to Homes and Gardens: “ACs usually have no use in winter; therefore, these appliances remain closed and unused for a long time. Starting them in late spring or summer without properly cleaning or servicing them is a big mistake because they will circulate dust that has built up throughout your home, and they might not even start. Not a good way to commence your summers, right? So it’s better to get them cleaned in spring!”
Clear your gutters before the rain arrives
Gutters carry rainwater away from your roof, walls, and foundation. When they become clogged with leaves and debris, water overflows and seeps into areas it shouldn’t. The consequences compound fast: roof leaks, wood rot, mold growth, and even foundation cracks or basement flooding over time.
Christine told Real Simple: “April showers bring May flowers. Make sure all gutters are clear and that your downspouts are draining away from your foundation.”
A 30-minute gutter check can prevent thousands of dollars in water damage. Walk the perimeter of your home and look for visible blockages, sagging sections, or areas where water has pooled near the foundation. If you spot any of those, clear the debris and confirm water flows freely through each downspout and away from the house.
Clean your refrigerator coils
This is the home maintenance task almost no one thinks about, and it directly affects your energy bill and the lifespan of your fridge. Refrigerator coils release heat from inside the unit. When they become covered in dust, dirt, and pet hair, the fridge has to work much harder to keep food cold.
Casey Finn from The DIY Playbook breaks it down: “Now, here’s where things can get messy—literally. If you want your fridge to keep running smoothly, you’ve got to keep those coils clean. Over time, dust and grime can build up on the coils, and instead of releasing heat, like they’re supposed to, that dirt acts like a blanket, trapping it in. That means your fridge has to work overtime to stay cool, which is bad news for your energy bill and your food.”
She continues, “When your fridge struggles to stay at the right temperature, your food might spoil faster. Even worse, if the coils are too clogged, your fridge could eventually overheat and break down completely. Yikes! So, keeping those coils clean is key to a happy, healthy fridge.”
Most coils are located behind or beneath the refrigerator. Pull the unit out from the wall, unplug it, and use a coil brush or vacuum attachment to remove the buildup.
Do a pest check while you’re at it
Brett Bennett, Director of Operations at PURCOR Pest, told Homes and Gardens: “Springtime means new life, and unfortunately, that applies to many pests as well. So, an important part of preparing your home for spring is making sure it’s as pest-proof as possible. While doing your spring cleaning, keep an eye out for stink bugs, mice, spiders, and any other pests specific to your area. It’s always best to catch these problems before they grow into a full-blown infestation.”
Since you’re already pulling appliances away from walls and checking gutters, you’re in the perfect position to spot early signs of pest activity: droppings, nesting material, or damage to wood and insulation. Catching it now means dealing with a handful of intruders instead of an established colony.
Prep your outdoor patio
Rafi Friedman, President of Coastal Luxury Outdoors, told Homes and Gardens: “Part of preparing your home for spring is getting ready to enjoy your yard, and this starts with your spring patio prep.”
His cleaning advice is straightforward: “Plain water is enough for most patios, but if you have moss, stains, or discoloration, you’ll want to use a stain remover like OxiClean Outdoor. This stuff can be used to spot treat the stains and rinsed away with plain water. It won’t damage finishes or your lawn, either.”
Quick takeaways
- Declutter first. Every other cleaning task gets easier with less stuff in the way.
- Test your AC now, then clean the filters, coils, and drain line before you actually need cooling.
- Clear gutters and check downspout drainage to prevent water damage during spring rains.
- Vacuum refrigerator coils to lower energy costs and extend the life of your fridge.
- Scan for pest activity while you’re moving furniture and inspecting hard-to-reach areas.
- Wash your patio with water; use a spot treatment like OxiClean Outdoor for stubborn stains.
The window between winter and the first warm stretch is the best time to get ahead on all of this. Each task takes under an hour, and doing them now means your home is already optimized by the time you’d normally be starting your spring cleaning list.
