September 30, 2025 in Lifestyle

5 Jobs on Our Spring Cleaning To-Do List

Spring is nature's way of telling us it's time for a fresh start, and what better way to celebrate than with a home that's as vibrant and fresh as our berries? Here are fi ve spring cleaning jobs that can often get neglected, but should absolutely be ticked off the to-do list at least once a year. Trust us, your future self will thank you.

Clean Out Your Fridge and Create the Perfect Berry Haven

For most people, the inside of your fridge is kept fairly clean all year round, although we’re all guilty of pulling a mysterious congealed blob out of the vegetable drawer every once in a while! But when was the last time you gave it a thorough spring refresh?

Here’s your step-by-step game plan:

We’re talking about pulling everything out, checking use-by dates of all the jars, bottles, and other items, and cleaning every surface with warm, soapy water, inside and out. Before you dive in, have a quick read of your fridge user manual to see if there are any specific cleaning instructions.

Pro Berry Tip: While you’re at it, designate the prime real estate (that perfect middle shelf spot) as your berry zone! Our strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries deserve the VIP treatment, and they’ll stay fresher longer when they’re not competing for space with last month’s leftovers.

Deep Clean the Oven

Get the same result as a self-cleaning oven (without the fumes and smoke) by applying a little elbow grease and some natural cleaners that won’t leave any nasty residues behind.

The overnight magic method:

Simply sprinkle the caked-on burnt bits in the bottom of your oven with baking soda and give it a light spray of vinegar. Let this powerful combo sit overnight to do the heavy lifting, then wipe away with a textured sponge in the morning.

Why this matters: A clean oven heats more evenly, which means your berry crumbles and pies will bake to perfection every single time. Plus, no one wants mystery smoke fl avouring their fresh berry desserts!

Extra spring touch: While you’re in there, give the oven racks a good scrub too. They’ll thank you when you’re sliding in your first berry pavlova of the season.

Go Minimalist in Your Garage

The minimalist movement is huge, and there’s no better place to apply its thinking than in your garage. Roll up your sleeves on a sunny Saturday and work through all the stuff that has piled up there during the year.

The sorting system that works:

Keep pile: Items used in the last 12 months
Donate pile: Good condition items you haven’t touched
Sell pile: Valuable items collecting dust
Toss pile: Anything broken beyond repair

Sell, toss, or donate items that you haven’t used in ages, then organise the keepers neatly. Now’s also the perfect time to check that bikes have air in their tyres and brakes work safely before they go into overdrive during spring and summer adventures.

Berry bonus: Clear out space near the entrance for a dedicated spot to store your berry-picking baskets and containers. Spring berry season is just around the corner, and you’ll want easy access to your harvesting gear!

Clean the Windows Inside and Out

Nothing says “spring refresh” quite like crystal-clear windows that let all that gorgeous natural light pour in. Choose a cool, cloudy spring day to tackle this task; this helps prevent streaking and makes the job so much easier.

The streak-free method:

Inside first: Go around with a sponge, some soapy warm water and a squeegee

Outside next: Remove dust and dirt with warm, soapy water and a microfi bre cloth or newspaper

Final shine: Quick spray with exterior glass cleaner or DIY vinegar solution (one part white vinegar, two parts water) and squeegee to dry

Why you’ll love the results: Clean windows mean better natural light for all those berry smoothie bowl photos you’ll be taking! Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about looking through spotless glass at your spring garden.

Professional tip: Work from top to bottom and always finish with horizontal squeegee strokes for the most professional-looking results.

Clean the Washing Machine and Dryer

When was the last time you cleaned these hardworking appliances? This often neglected job is actually crucial for ensuring they last and perform their best, especially when berry season hits and you’re washing more tea towels and kitchen linens than usual!

Washing machine refresh:

Check your user manual for specific cleaning instructions, but here’s the general approach:
Run an empty hot cycle with two cups of white vinegar
Follow with a second empty cycle using half a cup of baking soda
Wipe down the rubber door seals and detergent dispenser
Don’t forget, leaving the lid open after each cycle helps prevent mould, mildew, and unwelcome smells

Dryer deep-clean:

Again, check your manual, but typically you’ll want to:

Remove and thoroughly clean the lint filter
Vacuum inside the drum and around the door seal
Clean the exterior vents if accessible
Get behind both appliances if possible and vacuum out the inevitable build-up of dust and dirt

The berry season bonus: When you’re dealing with more berry-stained fabrics than usual, you’ll want your laundry appliances working at their absolute best to tackle those stains.

Ready to Tackle Your Spring Cleaning Checklist?

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming when you break it down into manageable chunks. Pick one task, put on some upbeat music, and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done. Your home (and your berries!) will be ready to welcome the warmer months in style.

Seasonal
availability