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Spring cleaning 2024 checklist: Best vacuums, cleaners, mops, appliances, more

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(Image Credit: Thinkstock) Dougal Waters / Getty Images

Spring is here! The birds are singing, the weather is heating up -- and the dust bunnies in your home are frolicking in the hallway. That's a nice way of saying you should be tackling this year's annual spring cleaning session. Bust out your favorite stick vacuum and hoover those carpets. Bring in some new furniture to liven up the place. Clean up those years-old stains with a carpet cleaner so you can have fresh flooring underfoot. 

But where do you start first? We've got you covered. The shopping experts at CBS Essentials put together a few spring cleaning checklists to help you get started. After all, spring cleaning will feel a lot less daunting if you break it up into smaller tasks. When it's done, you'll have a sparkling clean house that you can enjoy all year long. 

What if you don't have everything you need? We've got you covered there, too. Be sure to check out our picks for some of the best spring cleaning supplies you can find right now, many of which are discounted as part of the Amazon Big Spring Sale, running from March 20 through March 25. Be sure to snag the deals that you're interested in quickly, because these items are going in and out of stock faster than you can say "whole home refresh." 


Best products for 2024 spring cleaning

The experts at CBS Essentials (that's us!) have compiled a list of the best cleaning tools to use in your spring cleaning efforts this year. All items here are rated 4.0 stars or higher. In some cases, CBS Essentials reviewers have used the product personally.


Spring cleaning 2024 checklists

Below, you'll find deep cleaning checklists for areas of your home that probably haven't had a thorough cleaning in a while. We've also included recommendations for our favorite cleaning products to ensure that your 2024 spring cleaning is effective and efficient.


Spring cleaning 2024 sales and deals

A handful of retailers are offering spring cleaning sales throughout the season. We've rounded up some of the best spring cleaning sales below.

  • Amazon: Online retail giant Amazon is running the Big Spring Sale event right now, which is live from March 20 through March 25. Save big on hundreds of items, including vacuums, mops, scrubbers, and much more. But be sure to grab anything you're interested in fast, as this sale is seeing things go in and out of stock rapidly. 
  • Bissell: Bissell, maker of the reviewer-loved Little Green Machine carpet cleaner, is throwing a spring cleaning sale: You'll save 10% on orders of $49.99 and under, save 15% on orders from $50 - $149.99 and save 25% on orders of $150 or more. Exclusions apply, see the site for details.
  • Dyson: High-tech vacuum maker Dyson is offering spring cleaning deals on some of its most popular models, including the Dyson Gen5detect Absolute stick vacuum (save $150). You can save on top-rated air purifiers as well.
  • Walmart: Shop Walmart's big spring refresh sale to save up to 30% on all the essentials you need to tidy up and improve your living space, with deals on steam mops, cleaning supplies, bedding and more.
  • Wayfair: Wayfair has a selection of spring cleaning deals available right now, with discounts on Bissell, Dyson, Shark, iRobot, Simplehuman and more. Plus, there are more spring cleaning appliance and furniture deals at Wayfair, too -- you can save up to 70%.
  • Samsung: Samsung is making spring cleaning easy courtesy of some deep discounts on stick vacuums, robot vacuums, appliances and more. You can even save on water filters to keep your water clean and those single-use bottles out of our landfills. 

Best vacuum for spring cleaning: Samsung Jet 75 Complete cordless stick vacuum

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Samsung

This six-pound vacuum features a five-layer filtration system, a high-capacity dust bin and a removable battery. That means it's a capable cleaning appliance to help you tackle just about any mess. 

It includes the brand's clog-reducing technology for consistent, powerful suction that stops dirt and debris from building up on the filter. It also has a telescoping tool to help you access hard-to-reach parts of your home for a more thorough clean when you can't reach it with your arms alone. 

A turbo brush specifically conquers carpets, and a digital display keeps you abreast of the power level. (That way you aren't halfway through a cleaning job and the vacuum shuts down on you. No one likes it when that happens.)

In addition, its cleaning station can automatically empty itself with the push of a button, which means you don't have to dirty your hands trying to tackle that part yourself. 

For more options, check out our roundup of the best stick vacuums in 2024.


Best handheld vacuum: Shark Ultra Cyclone Pet Pro cordless handheld vacuum

Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro Cordless
Amazon

Whether you need some extra help spot-cleaning messes from the kids, or debris that gets tracked in by the door, this Shark handheld vacuum can save the day. It's super lightweight and portable as well, at just 2.8 pounds, so your arm won't get tired while using it.

Its suction is next-level too, as it has two powerful air streams to make sure it cleans your surfaces without you needing to go over it again. It has a detachable brush to help cut through wrapped and tangled hair that could otherwise get caught on the brush.

There's plenty of space for all that dirt to go, thanks to an extra large dust cup to hold all of that dirt. And when the cup does get full, it has a special push-button dirt ejector for hands-free emptying.

For the price, this is an excellent handheld vacuum that you won't have to pay more than $100 for – and it's not so bad-looking, either. 

For more options, check out our roundup of the best handheld vacuums for spring cleaning.


Best robot vacuum for spring cleaning: iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum

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Amazon

The iRobot Roomba j7+ is designed with dog owners in mind. This smart vacuum includes iRobot's P.O.O.P., or "Pet Owner Official Promise," guarantee. Your Roomba j7+ is guaranteed to avoid pet waste, or iRobot will replace your vacuum for free.

The vacuum features a powerful three-stage cleaning system with iRobot's most powerful suction. It uses an edge-sweeping brush to get into corners. The Roomba j7+ also features dual multi-surface rubber brushes that flex to adjust to different floor types. Best of all, they don't get tangled with pet hair.

When it's finished cleaning, the device automatically empties into an included base for easy dirt disposal with enclosed bags. Just empty the cleaning station once every 60 days.

Regularly $800, you can get this 4.1-star-rated robot vacuum on sale for $570 at Amazon.

Also be sure to check out our picks for the best iRobot robot vacuums you can find right now during the Amazon Big Spring Sale. 


Best spin scrubber for spring cleaning: Voweek electric spin scrubber

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Amazon

The Voweek electric spin scrubber allows you to clean the surfaces of your home more easily and efficiently. The spin scrubber comes with four brush heads, including one small and large flat brush, a dome brush and a corner brush, the latter of which is great for scrubbing around your baseboards as well as your toilet's base. 

What also helps with getting into hard-to-reach places is the scrubber's adjustable base, which can be extended up to 3.5 feet, and scrub head that can be rotated at three different angles. These will give you the ability to scrub high and low in your home, from the bottom of the tub to the crown molding that lines your ceilings. The scrubber can last up to an hour and a half on a single charge.

The Voweek electric spin scrubber has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon. One reviewer says, "As a senior, it makes scrubbing the bathroom a cinch and saves time. I love it." 

The Voweek electric spin scrubber deal is available in five colors: white, purple, blue, green and gray. Price varies by color.


Best mop for spring cleaning: O-Cedar Easywring Rinseclean spin mop system

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Amazon

The O-Cedar Easywring Rinseclean spin mop system is a genius solution to a common mopping problem: How are you supposed to get your floors clean if you keep dipping your mop in dirty water all the time?

Unlike other mops, the Easywring Rinseclean features a refillable clean water tank next to a dirty water tank. You just tug on a latch when you need the water to be refreshed. The reservoir can hold a total of 1.6 gallons of water. The spinning mechanism is fantastic too, as it gets a good amount of water out of the mop with just a few spins.

The long mop handle and swivel mop head are incredibly convenient. With the mop head's generous length, you no longer have to move furniture to mop underneath. The mop head can be removed and put in the washing machine.

Shoppers who bought this mop system on Amazon are just as pleased as I am, with the product boasting a 4.5-star rating out of more than 40,200 ratings. One reviewer wrote, "This is a must-buy for those who love cleaning. I am very particular with my cleaning and I am the person [who] uses two buckets when I mop. Then I heard about this mop. OMG, game changer! You are not mopping with dirty water. If you are a neat freak like me, get this!"

This mop system is on sale at Amazon for $45, reduced from $55.


Best dishwasher for spring cleaning: 24" Maytag top-control built-in dishwasher with stainless steel tub (47 dBA)

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Best Buy/Maytag

A boost to your spring cleaning efforts and the planet's water supply? There's so much to love about Maytag's 24-inch top-control stainless steel dishwasher. Armed with leak-detection technology that alerts you when there's an issue, this Maytag dishwasher will also put an end to the never-ending "to pre-wash or not to pre-wash" debate. 

That's because this Maytag dishwasher features dual power filtration designed to disintegrate any food in its path. Coupled with the machine's four power chopping blades that grind up food bits to keep from clogging the drain, this machine's technology means no more pre-washing your dishes. Your water bills will thank you.

This is peak filtration thanks to this Maytag dishwasher's high-pressure jets, high water temperatures and hot steam, which eradicate foods that usually stick to dishes when not pre-rinsed. The machine's sani-rinse mode eliminates 99.999% of food soil bacteria on your dishes, silverware and cups.

"Love this product," wrote a verified customer who purchased the dishwasher on the Best Buy site. "It is everything it said and more. The dual power filtration is a game changer."

This fingerprint-resistant stainless steel dishwasher comes with a generous 10-year warranty. Currently on sale at Best Buy, save $100 on this Maytag dishwasher -- now priced at $800, reduced from $900.


Best washing machine for spring cleaning: Samsung Bespoke 5.3 cu. ft. front-load washer

Samsung Bespoke 5.3 cu. ft. Ultra Capacity Front Load Washer
Samsung

Whether it's a washer and dryer, refrigerator or oven, here at CBS Essentials, we're huge fans of Samsung's popular (and higher-end) Bespoke line of major home appliances. This 5.3 ct. ft. capacity washer can wash a full load in just 28 minutes, so in addition to offering a large capacity, it also washes clothes faster and more efficiently. This saves you time and money on your utility bills. (This model is Energy Star certified.)

This washer (WF53BB8900AT) is SmartThings compatible, so like all of Samsung's most popular appliances, you can remotely monitor and manage it from your smartphone. We also like that this washer has a detergent and fabric softener dispenser that holds enough product for 32 loads. It automatically dispenses the right amount of detergent and fabric softener at precisely the right time during each wash cycle.

If you're not sure about which wash setting to use, Samsung has built AI-based technology into this washer, so it can sense the fabric type and soil level and then adjust wash time and detergent amount as needed.

Samsung offers this washer (and matching dryer) in a variety of colors (like brushed navy, silver steel, or forest green). Both appliances offer a modern, flat-panel design with intuitive controls.

Pair this top-rated Samsung washer with the matching 7.6 cu. ft. Samsung Bespoke dryer. It's on sale in electric for $1,098 (save $450); gas-powered dryers cost $100 extra.


Best dryer for spring cleaning: LG 7.4 cu. ft. vented stackable smart electric dryer

LG 7.4 cu. ft. Vented Stackable Smart Electric Dryer
LG

Capacity: 7.4 cu. ft. | Best paired with: LG WM6700HBA washer | Smart functionality: Yes | Key features: TurboSteam, AI determines optional settings, tumble dry for up to 3 hours | Dimensions: 38.7 x 27 x 39.75 inches | Model #

Featuring an outer steel housing, this 7.4 cu. ft. capacity vented dryer offers LG's TurboSteam feature that refreshes clothing and helps to remove wrinkles in less than 10 minutes. It also uses AI to select the optimal settings based on fabric texture. And you're able to monitor and manage the dryer using LG's ThinQ app on any smartphone.

If the dryer's vent gets clogged or the appliance experiences any other issues, it automatically sends a notification to your phone. This dryer is designed to handle a large capacity, but operate quietly. The door can easily be reversed from a right swing to a left swing. Once the drying cycle is done, if the load is not removed immediately, the dryer will periodically use its tumble dry feature for up to three hours to help prevent wrinkles from setting in.

LG is currently offering a $300 discount on this dryer, bringing its price down to $1,199. You'll also get a free extra year of extended warranty coverage. The purchase may also qualify you for a rebate from your utility provider.

You can get the matching 5.0 cu. ft. LG washer for $1,199 ($300 off). It too may qualify you for a significant rebate.


Best steam cleaner: McCulloch MC1375 canister steam cleaner

McCulloch Canister Steam Cleaner
Amazon

This steam cleaner comes with a whopping 20 accessories, including a floor mop, mop pads, nylon brushes, brass brush, angled nozzle, scrub pad, scraper, squeegee and more. It also has an extra-long power cord. Plus, the water tank heats up in 12 minutes and provides up to 90 minutes of steam.

The McCulloch MC1375 has a 4.4-star rating out of more than 36,200 ratings on Amazon. One reviewer said that this steam cleaner is "beyond worth it," adding: "We have a cleaning business and used this on three different floors in a commercial building. We ran it nonstop for five hours cleaning grout and were not disappointed. We did wear the brush heads down, but like I said, we used this on three large floors in the building. We are buying another one."

Get it now at Amazon for $180, reduced from $200.

For more options, check out our roundup of the best steam cleaners in 2024.


Best upholstery cleaner for spring cleaning: Bissell Little Green Machine upholstery cleaner: Save 21%

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Amazon

The Bissell Little Green Machine was designed to tackle stains and small messes on all kinds of upholstery, ranging from car interiors to rugs. However, TikTokers have used it to clean larger surface areas, including upholstered bar stool chairs and couches. When I tried it, I only used it on my upholstered headboard. My primary intention was to remove stains that movers had left on the headboard several months ago, but I decided to wash the whole thing. 

I want to preface that I did spot treat the stain before using the machine, so by the time I turned on the upholstery cleaner, the stain was about 50% better. After using the Little Green Machine with its included stain remover, the stains became barely visible. For 11-month-old black stains on an off-white headboard, that's pretty darn good. 

The Bissell Little Green Machine was also super easy to use. It wasn't heavy to move around as I cleaned the headboard, and the bristle brushes on the cleaning head really made a difference in getting the stain out. I also found the 48-ounce tank to be quite generous. After cleaning my full-sized headboard, the tank still had more than half of the solution that I put in there. The upholstery cleaner comes with a sample size of the cleaning solution, a crevice tool that makes it easy to spray the solution in tight areas and a tool that helps you clean out the hose after each use. 

The Bissell Little Green Machine upholstery cleaner has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon. One reviewer wrote, "I love this vacuum. My apartment is fully carpeted and I have two dogs and about 50 plants and this machine has saved us time and money. I accidentally dropped wet dirt on the carpet and it saved it." 


Kitchen cleaning checklist

If you cook regularly, the kitchen can quickly become the dirtiest part of your home. Oil builds up everywhere, from your burners to the exterior of your kitchen cabinets. Food splatters get stuck on your microwave. Leftovers leave residue in your refrigerator. Because of all of this, you'll want to deep clean your kitchen multiple times a year, not just in the spring.

  • Clean your fridge and organize food in your pantry with these food storage containers.
  • Consider one of these kitchen organizational hacks to add needed storage space.
  • Clean your trash can. 
  • Give your stovetop a good scrub, including the burner caps and grates as well as oven knobs.
  • Wash and disinfect your countertops and sink.
  • Wash the interior and exterior of your kitchen cabinets and drawers.
  • Clean your backsplash.
  • Vacuum and mop floors. 
  • Scrub any gunk that has gotten onto baseboards. 
  • Clean the filter in your range hood filter. 
  • Activate your oven's self-cleaning mode, or clean manually.

Bathroom cleaning checklist

Like the kitchen, the bathroom will be one of the dirtiest places in your home and will require all the elbow grease you have to get it completely clean. This is the place to employ extra help in the form of specialized cleaning solutions and tools. 

  • Wash and disinfect your shower's floor and walls with an electric spin scrubber.
  • Wash and disinfect your bathroom sink.
  • Get rid of soap scum that has built up on your shower doors, wiping water away with a squeegee. 
  • Clean your toilet, including wiping down dust and disinfecting the bowl with a toilet wand
  • Vacuum and mop your bathroom's floors. 
  • Wipe down the exterior and interior of cabinets or drawers. 
  • Organize your bathroom essentials with under-the-sink bathroom organizers
  • Break down build-up in your bathroom sink drain. 
  • Wash or completely replace your bath mat. 
  • Clean grout with a steam cleaner.

Bedroom cleaning checklist

Your bedroom is your sanctuary, so it deserves a good clean every once in a while. Cleaning bedrooms doesn't require the often back-breaking labor involved in cleaning your kitchen or bathroom, but there's still significant work to do. This is especially important if you suffer from household allergies, as the presence of dust and dander exacerbates symptoms such as congestion and headaches. 

  • Wipe down surfaces such as the tops of dressers and nightstands with soap and water or a multipurpose cleaner. 
  • Clean any built-up grime on window treatments, such as washing curtains.
  • Steam clean any upholstery, such as an accent chair and headboard, or wash it using an upholstery cleaner. Some new washing machines and dryers offer steam cleaning features.
  • Vacuum floors, rugs and carpeting. If you have flooring, mop as well.
  • Wipe dust off of baseboards and if you have a mop that can easily glide onto baseboards, do that too. 
  • Consider giving your bedroom air a spring cleaning with a new air purifier.


Time-saving spring cleaning tips

Spring cleaning takes a lot of work, but you may be able to avoid these hours-long cleaning sessions by doing shorter cleaning sessions more frequently. This could include wiping down your burners after cooking messy meals or wiping them down once a week using a multipurpose cleaner. Putting off the task lets grime build up, which makes it harder to remove.

Another strategy is to get a robot vacuum. Robot vacuums are sophisticated machines that do all the vacuuming for you. They aren't as powerful as upright vacuums, but when used regularly, they will lessen the need to pull out your big vacuum over time. These are particularly great for homes prone to messes, such as those with pets and kids. There are all kinds of robot vacuum cleaners out there, including ones that double as mops

And speaking of cleaning tools that'll do the work for you, get yourself an electric spin scrubber. These genius machines cut down on the time, discomfort and fatigue that you may feel when scrubbing hard-to-reach areas of your home, including the floor of your shower, the nooks and crannies near your toilet, baseboards and more. 


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