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Healthy Spring Cleaning Tips: Natural Ways to Freshen Your Home

By Rachel

published 05/08/2025

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Find effective healthy spring cleaning tips! Ditch the toxic chemicals and discover natural ways to freshen your home in a sustainable way.

Spring is here! And, if you’re like me, this season brings an urge to declutter, organize, and clean from top to bottom. However, many conventional cleaning products can contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to both our health and the environment. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural and effective ways to freshen up our homes this spring. Join me as we explore some simple yet powerful healthy spring cleaning tips using natural methods that will leave your home sparkling and rejuvenated.

The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist: Healthy and Natural Home Refresh

There’s something magical about cleaning your house in the spring. I don’t know what it is about this time of year that creates such a deep desire to actually want to deep clean. What I do know is that, as we are able to finally open the windows to let in the fresh air, my soul craves a clean and healthy living space.

Table of Contents

If you are looking for a minimal cleaning routine without the use of chemicals, you’ve come to the right place! Natural spring cleaning is effective, safe for everyone in the family including pets, and often more affordable.

This post will focus on healthy methods to tackle spring cleaning in a quick and easy manner. I’ll cover areas such as the benefits of natural cleaning, essential supplies, room-by-room tips, DIY recipes, and how to do it all efficiently.

So, if you’re ready, grab your rubber gloves and let’s get started!

Why Choose Natural Spring Cleaning? The Benefits for Your Health and Home

As I’ve moved through my 30’s, one thing that has become extremely apparent to me is the notion of wanting to feed my mind, body, and soul, as well as my environment, with healthy things. My journey towards living a minimalist lifestyle has also opened my eyes to living in as much of a natural and toxin-free home as possible.

Why?? Well, because it’s important to me to not only take care of me and my family but the environment, as well. I have a profound need to take care and be gentle with all the products and materials that I use throughout my home on a daily basis so that my body, and the Earth, can be as healthy and eco-friendly as possible.

Below are a handful of reasons as to why I’ve chosen natural cleaning methods for my home:

Avoids Harsh Chemicals
- My doggy, Tilly, has a ton of allergies, both food and environmental. To keep her feeling her best, and to reduce the risk of potential health risks associated with conventional cleaning products for all of us, such as skin irritations and allergies, I choose to use clean products.
- Natural cleaning alternatives are gentler on the skin when actually cleaning with it. I don’t feel bad if essential oils or vinegar get on my skin while scrubbing the floor or shower. I’d much rather smell like vinegar than bleach if you know what I mean!
Safe for Family and Pets
- Natural and eco-friendly cleaners are much safer for any household, but especially ones with children and pets who are more susceptible to harmful chemicals.
Better for the Environment
- Natural cleaning products are often biodegradable and less polluting. Natural materials, such as oils from lemons and oranges, are literally found and sourced right from nature, so doesn’t it make sense to use those methods in your home?!
- Due to the chemical composition, packaging, and use practices, the environmental impact of conventional cleaning product ingredients is so sad! Chemicals like phospates, surfactants, and bleach eventually all make their way into water sources and harm aquatic creatures and sea life. Other unfortunate things like air pollution from VOC’s and waste generation from single-use plastics all make me NOT to want to use conventional cleaning products ever again.
Often More Affordable
- Many natural cleaning staples such as vinegar and baking soda are inexpensive and readily available. Bottles of essential oils do cost a tad more up front but those bottles last FOREVER because you just need a small amount of oil at a time. So, you are still spending less money in the long run because of not having the need to constantly purchase new cleaning supplies.

Essential Natural Cleaning Supplies That I Love

Vinegar

Vinegar is a versatile workhorse. It is disinfecting and deodorizing and helps to dissolve mineral deposits. I mix vinegar with lemon or orange essential oils in a spray bottle and use it mainly for cleaning the bathrooms.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is an effective non-abrasive scrubber as well an amazing deodorizer. For spring cleaning tasks, I use baking soda in sink drains to clear stinky smells. You can also mix baking soda with essential oils and water to make a cleaning paste for showers or tile floors!

Lemon

Lemon is acidic, meaning it carries natural antibacterial properties. Also, since it’s citrus scented, it’s a very clean and fresh smell, making it a palatable deodorizer for any room. I use lemon essential oil mixed with water in a spray bottle to clean surfaces such as toilets, countertops, and bathtubs.

Essential Oils

Essential oils have been a game-changer in my home over the past few years for room-scenting and extra cleaning power. There are many benefits of specific essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, lemon, and eucalyptus for cleaning as well as aromatherapy.

For safe usage, always follow the directed guidelines on the essential oil bottles.

Norwex Rags, Mop, and Dust Mitt

I’ve been using Norwex products for the better part of ten years. My cleaning and window rags, mop, and dusting mitt are all staples in my cleaning routine. All you do is add water to the rags and use the dust mitt as is without the use of any other chemicals or products. It’s magic, really!

Method Plant Based Cleaner

If I need a cleaner that’s a little stronger at de-greasing or cutting grime, I’ll use the Method plant based all-purpose cleaner in a grapefruit scent. This is my go-to standby and will use this throughout my home, as well.

Healthy Spring Cleaning Tips: Natural Ways to Freshen Your Home

Below is a comprehensive list and guide of the methods and cleaning hacks that I use in each room of my home for spring.

As I stated earlier, I take an in-depth yet minimal approach to my spring cleaning, meaning I go room by room but try not to be a perfectionist about it. I’ve heard the phrase “done is better than perfect” before and I do take that to heart.

As always, my tips are meant to be a guide. If something doesn’t work for you or you think it would work better a different way, do that!

A Room-by-Room Guide for Spring Cleaning

Natural Kitchen Spring Cleaning

- Clean countertops and backsplashes naturally with a mix of vinegar, water, and essential oils.
- Degrease the stovetop and oven without harsh chemicals using Norwex rags and warm water.
- Freshen the refrigerator by wiping it out with a Norwex rag.
- Clean the sink and drains with baking soda, lemon essential oil, and water.
- Pick up the rugs and place them outside to air out. Mop the floor and baseboards with my Norwex mop and warm water.
- Wipe down the front of cabinets, drawers, and the vent hood using a Norwex rag and warm water.

Healthy Bathroom Spring Cleaning

- Scrub toilets and showers naturally with a scrub brush using essential oils, baking soda, and vinegar or Method all-purpose cleaner.
- Clean mirrors and glass without toxic sprays using a Norwex glass cleaner rag.
- Wipe the floor with a Norwex rag and a mix of vinegar and essential oils in a spray bottle. My favorite oils to use for the bathrooms are either lemon or orange. Eucalyptus is also a lovely scent for this space.
- Freshen the air with essential oils.

Natural Living Room Spring Cleaning

- Dust effectively and naturally using a Norwex dust mitt.
- Vacuum upholstery and carpets and mop the wood floor.
- Freshen fabrics and air using essential oils or Mrs. Meyer’s room spray.
- Launder blankets and pillow covers using my favorite eco-friendly laundry strips.

Bedroom Spring Cleaning Naturally

- Wash bedding and linens with natural detergent.
- Dust surfaces gently using a Norwex dust mitt.
- Freshen mattresses and pillows with essential oils and water in a spray bottle or use Mrs. Meyers room spray.
- Improve air quality either by opening the windows or running an essential oil diffuser.

Other Miscellaneous Spring Cleaning Tasks

- Vacuum hallway runners and entryway rugs.
- Dust wooden furniture and blinds.
- Vacuum vents and vent covers.
- Wipe down windows, window sills, and screens with Norwex rags.

Creating Your Own Natural Cleaning Powerhouses: Simple DIY Recipes

DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

Creating your own all-purpose cleaner eliminates the need to constantly buy new cleaning products from the store, which saves you money, and takes care of the planet by reducing the amount of single-use plastics.

Making your own cleaning solution is affordable and SO easy! A simple recipe for a natural all-purpose cleaner is as follows: In a spray bottle, mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part water then add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil such as lemon, tea tree, orange, or lavender.

Voila! That’s it! Now, you have a versatile cleaner to use on a variety of surfaces.

Homemade Glass Cleaner

This is where the Norwex window rags come in super handy since all you need to do is add water to the rag. It truly leaves a streak-free shine!

But, if you want to create a glass cleaner instead, simply mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. If you want it scented, simply add a few drops of essential oil to the bottle. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe for a streak-free finish.

DIY Air Fresheners

My favorite natural way to freshen the air is by running my essential oil diffuser! It’s actually super fun to mix different oils together to create new scents each time. Some of my favorite oil blends to use in the spring include: Purify, Breathe, Wild Orange, and Balance.

You could also make a simmer pot on the stove by simmering fruit and spices together.

Tips for Efficient and Healthy Spring Cleaning: Working Smarter, Not Harder

Do I want to clean my house thoroughly? Yes! Do I want to spend the entire day doing it? Heck no! Below are a few cleaning hacks that help to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

1. Keep a Spring Cleaning Checklist

Are you a list person?? I love lists. I have lists going for multiple things on sticky notes all the time. So, what really helps me break down spring cleaning tasks into manageable chunks is to keep a list.

I usually can do this mentally, because that’s how my brain works, but you could also keep a list your phone or actually write out a list and stick it on the fridge. I suggest chunking the list into room categories, then go room by room. This helps with overwhelm while also making sure you aren’t forgetting the tasks set forth for each space. When you complete a task, cross it off the list! It feels AMAZING to cross things off…wahoo!

2. Break Down Cleaning Tasks

As stated above, I think it works best to tackle one room at a time. Or, on the flip side, tackle one task at a time such as vacuuming all the carpets and rugs at once or cleaning all the toilets at once.

If you only have a certain amount of time per day to focus on spring cleaning, set a schedule over the period of a few days or weeks. Write it on your calendar or block that time into your phone. That way, it will eventually all get done without stressing over how or when!

3. Involve the Family

If you have the option, totally delegate tasks to family members or others who might live with you. When everyone works together in an efficient manner, the chore will get done quickly!

4. Ventilate Your Home

I think my very favorite part of spring cleaning is being able to crack the doors and windows WIDE open! That fresh, spring air is unlike any other season. It also usually smells like flowers outside, which is so magical.

Fresh air circulation is important during and after cleaning because it helps to remove any excess dust that may have been kicked up. Fresh air also serves as a natural deodorizer, helping to cleanse your home.

Closing Tidbits on Healthy Spring Cleaning Tips: Natural Ways to Freshen Your Home

I don’t think there’s anything better than cleaning your home in an eco-friendly way. Not only are you refreshing your space in a healthy manner but, at the same time, the Earth is benefiting from the use of clean products.

It’s my sincere hope that you can take bits and pieces from these healthy spring cleaning tips and be inspired to freshen your home in natural ways.

And, know that you don’t have to do it all at once or switch to these more natural products all at one time. Go slowly, at your own pace, until you find the combination or routine that works for you. But, in the end, it’s the ultimate reward for the health of yourself and the planet.

Be encouraged to live naturally and sustainably, finding a fresh perspective along the way.