Spruce up this spring

Posted 2 September, 2026 Andrew Rasch

A winter of punishing weather and more time spent indoors means your home is probably crying out for a spruce up. The good news is that with warmer days you’ll be able to feel your hands while you spring clean. Let’s get cracking.

Sort out the clutter

Before donning rubber gloves, declutter your living spaces. Why deep clean rooms full of items you’re not keeping? Decide what to keep, donate or sell, recycle and throw away.

SA-based professional organiser Sarah Shanahan (pictured below) says having a vision is key to decluttering and organising your home.

“The biggest mistake I see people make is having no plan for what they want to achieve,” Sarah says.

“Break the job into small, achievable areas – one drawer, shelf, cupboard or room at a time. Just get started and keep at it, but don’t expect to have it all done in a day.”

Decluttering done – now for the cleaning. Here are some common tasks to get you started, inside and outside.

First stop: indoors

To complete most cleaning tasks, your kit should include scrubbing brushes, non-scratch scourers, rubber gloves, dusters, microfibre cloths, a mop, bucket, vacuum and the right cleaning products. If you want to use fancy tools like steam cleaners and power scrubbers, go for it. Sarah says the kitchen is a good place to start.

“Empty cupboards and pantries, clear benchtops and clean all surfaces, including counter tops, walls, tiles, splashbacks, drawers and doors,” Sarah says. “A paste of baking soda and vinegar will make your stainless-steel sink sparkle.”

Check user manuals for tips on cleaning your bigger appliances like ovens, range hoods, cooktops and dishwashers. Empty the fridge and clean the drawers and shelves, clean the microwave inside and out, descale the kettle, and wipe down small appliances.

For the rest of the house, dust and clean all surfaces including ceiling fans and blinds, remove cobwebs, and wash windows inside and out. If it’s been a while, wash or dry clean your curtains too. Clear any mould around windows and, if you have a fireplace, safely remove leftover ash.

Now’s also the time to tackle inside maintenance jobs. Have the air-con serviced before summer hits and arrange qualified tradies to fix any broken power points, flickering lights, sticking doors, leaky taps, clogged drains, or wall cracks.

You may even want to consider a painter to freshen walls and ceilings or an electrician to install a ceiling fan, new oven or a split-system air-con.

Let’s go outside

The inside is fit for royalty. Now it’s time to head outdoors. Clear your space, then use a broom or leaf blower to shift debris. Brush, wipe or scrub your outdoor furniture, and if it’s timber, consider a coat of stain or varnish to protect and freshen it. Pressure wash bricks, concrete and decking, pull winter weeds (or carefully poison them on a calm day) and wash fences.

Get the barbecue summer-ready by scraping hotplates and grills, scrubbing surfaces with hot, soapy water, changing the drip tray granules, emptying the grease trap and checking for gas leaks.

Spring is the perfect time to rejuvenate garden soil with good quality compost, and to weed, dethatch, core and fertilise the lawn. For some outdoor colour, plant poppies, petunias, or heat-tolerant violas, or pop a citrus tree in a sunny spot for a steady supply of refreshing lemons, limes or oranges in the coming years.

Don’t forget outdoor maintenance jobs. Clear winter leaves from gutters, drains and downpipes, arrange a post-winter roof inspection and make sure solar panels are free of dust, grime and bird droppings before the sunnier months arrive. Spring is also a good time to check roof insulation, repair or replace fences and gates and rejuvenate weatherbeaten areas with a coat of paint.

Don’t forget the shed

For some, a shed cleanout is therapy; for others, a dreaded chore. Either way, decide what you want to achieve when cleaning your shed. Do you want a simple reorganisation, or a proper upgrade with installations such as shelving, cupboards, extra lighting and power points? Whatever your plan, start with sturdy gloves, a dustpan and brush, and a suitable mask, and open doors and windows for ventilation.

Sarah suggests pulling everything out before you start, or if that’s impossible, working side to side.

“Either way, don’t just put everything back,” Sarah says.

“Do you really need those broken tools, expired pesticides or tins of hardened paint? Dispose of unwanted items responsibly before you put back what you want to keep.”

Sweep, dust or vacuum floors and walls, then wipe down shelves and surfaces with warm soapy water or sugar soap. Remove any webs and if you spot rodent droppings, lay some traps or baits. Look for first-generation (not second-generation) rodenticides at your hardware store, as they reduce the risk of poisoning non-target species like owls and kookaburras.

For ongoing tidiness, keep items off the ground using hooks, brackets and pegboards for tools, hoses, ladders and bikes. Group similar items together – fertilisers, paints and cleaners in one zone, for example – and store smaller items in clear, labelled containers so nothing gets lost. Keep frequently used gear like the lawnmower and line trimmer somewhere easy to access.

With a bit of planning and elbow grease, your home can be clutter-free, clean and ready for the spring and summer of your dreams. Go ahead and grab a cold drink while you admire your work.

Now comes the tricky bit… keeping it that way.