I'm Not a Fan of Spring Cleaning: Here's How I Prepare for Spring Instead

      The entire idea of spring cleaning makes me anxious. I can hardly keep up with my regular weekly cleaning, so the thought of dedicating the first nice weeks of the year to scrubbing and scouring every corner of my home is simply unappealing. To put it mildly, I won’t be washing my windows or cleaning behind my refrigerator this spring. However, there are a few home projects I enjoy doing each spring to freshen things up and prepare for the warmer weather.

      As the sun returns and boosts my motivation, spring is the perfect time for a home refresh. Instead of channeling all my energy into one extensive deep cleaning session, I prefer to concentrate on smaller tasks that will enhance the season. This spring, I am excited for patio weather, the gentle breezes coming through the windows, and dressing for warmer days, and these home projects help me prepare for all that and more:

      1. Store away coats, boots, and other winter gear

      I’ll be glad if I don’t have to see or think about my oversized black parka for the next eight months. Bundling up from head to toe every time I step outside is becoming quite tiresome, and I'm eager to pull out my lighter, more colorful spring jackets. But first, I need to make some space in my entryway closet. Once the temperatures stay reliably above freezing, I like to clear out all my heavy coats, boots, scarves, and other winter gear and store them away. With all my winter items cleared out, it's easier to organize my fun warm-weather jackets, shoes, and accessories that I'll be wearing throughout spring.

      2. Open all the windows on the first warm day

      This is one of my favorite rituals for spring. When the temperature exceeds 60 degrees, I like to open every window in the house to let in some fresh spring air. After being closed up all winter, this greatly improves indoor air quality and makes my home smell so much fresher. I recently heard this practice described as “house burping,” a gross but accurate way to convey the process. Out with the stale winter air, and in with the fresh air of spring!

      3. Change out winter bedding

      During the winter, my bed is layered with flannel sheets, a fluffy duvet, and an extra cozy blanket on top. However, as spring arrives, those layers start to feel too heavy. With warmer nights, I like to switch to linen or cotton percale bedding to keep from overheating. This is also a fantastic opportunity to play around with vibrant colors or patterns for spring! Changing your sheets or duvet cover is an easy way to infuse new life into your bedroom.

      4. Replace the air filter in my HVAC system

      While I enjoy the warmer weather, spring allergies are not ideal. I need all the assistance I can get to fend off the sneezing and itchy eyes this season tends to bring, so I make it a point to change the air filter in my home’s HVAC system at the beginning of spring. Regularly replacing your air filter is beneficial year-round, but especially in spring when pollen levels rise. The filter captures dust, pollen, and other allergens, helping you breathe cleaner air, but it can become clogged over time. Since your furnace likely worked hard during the winter, spring is an excellent time to swap that filter. If you live in an apartment, you may not have direct access to your HVAC system, but you can ask your landlord about changing the filter if they don’t do it regularly.

      5. Bring patio furniture out of storage

      It’s nearly time for at-home happy hours on the patio and relaxing afternoons in the sun! I plan to fully utilize my backyard this spring and summer, so I’m getting ready by bringing all my patio furniture out of storage. Most of it could probably use a good cleaning, so I’ll handle that as well before the season gets into full swing. Even if you don’t have a large backyard, now is a great moment to enhance whatever outdoor area you have. This might involve hanging string lights on your balcony or adding a chair to your front porch for sitting outside and enjoying a good book.

      6. Address a home project I’ve been avoiding

      I constantly have a list of home projects I've been meaning to get to. Some are as simple as touching up scuffed paint on the walls or hanging up artwork, while others require a bit more effort. Either way, I pretty much put them on hold over the winter. Now that daylight hours are longer, my motivation has returned, and I'm ready to tackle some home projects this spring. If there’s a DIY project or home improvement task you’ve been postponing, consider this your signal to finally get it done. You’ll kick off the season feeling productive with one less item on your to-do list.

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor

      Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, overseeing the Home & Living category on