Key Takeaways
- Spring cleaning in Oregon is especially important — months of rain create mold, moisture buildup, and tracked-in grime that summer-ready homes need to address.
- Plan 2-3 weekends to tackle the full checklist yourself, or hire a professional for a one-day deep clean.
- Focus on high-impact areas first: bathrooms (mold), kitchen (grease), and entryways (rainy-season grime).
- Oregon-specific tasks matter: gutter cleaning, window track mold, HVAC filter changes before pollen season, and dehumidifier checks.
- This checklist includes 50 tasks organized by room with estimated time for each.
Spring cleaning is a tradition for good reason — after months of closed windows, rain, and less natural light, your home needs a reset. But here in Oregon, spring cleaning carries extra weight. Our famously rainy winters (Portland averages 43 inches of rain annually, and Eugene is not far behind) mean that by April, your home has endured 6-7 months of moisture, mud, reduced ventilation, and indoor living that leaves every surface coated in a layer of winter grime.
This is not your generic spring cleaning list. We built it specifically for Oregon homes along the I-5 corridor, with tasks that address the moisture-related challenges, mold prevention needs, and pre-pollen-season preparation that Willamette Valley residents actually deal with.
Use this as your complete guide. Check off tasks as you go, or hand it to your cleaning professional as a scope of work.
Before You Start: Supplies and Planning
Supplies You Will Need
- All-purpose cleaner (eco-friendly options work well and are widely available in Oregon)
- Glass cleaner
- Bathroom cleaner with mold-fighting properties
- Degreaser for kitchen
- Baking soda and white vinegar (for natural cleaning)
- Microfiber cloths (at least 10-15)
- Scrub brushes (grout brush, general scrub brush)
- Vacuum with attachments (crevice tool, upholstery brush)
- Mop and bucket
- Step ladder
- Rubber gloves
- Trash bags (several large ones)
- New HVAC filters
Time Estimates
| Approach | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Full DIY (one person) | 15-25 hours over 2-3 weekends |
| Full DIY (two people) | 10-15 hours over 1-2 weekends |
| Professional deep clean | 4-8 hours (one day) |
| Hybrid (you prep, pro deep cleans) | 2-3 hours prep + 4-6 hours pro |
Kitchen (12 Tasks)
1. Deep clean oven interior — Remove racks, soak in degreaser, scrub interior walls and door glass. (45 min)
2. Clean refrigerator inside and out — Remove all items, check expiration dates, wipe shelves and drawers, clean door seals where mold hides. (45 min)
3. Degrease range hood and filter — Soak the filter in hot soapy water, wipe down hood exterior and interior. (20 min)
4. Clean dishwasher interior — Run empty cycle with vinegar, then scrub door edges and rubber gasket. (15 min)
5. Descale coffee maker and kettle — Run vinegar solution through coffee maker; boil vinegar water in kettle. Oregon's water varies by city but mineral buildup is common. (15 min)
6. Scrub sink and garbage disposal — Baking soda and vinegar in the drain, scrub sink basin and faucet base. (15 min)
7. Wipe all cabinet fronts — Degrease upper and lower cabinet exteriors. Grease vapor rises and coats upper cabinets especially. (30 min)
8. Clean inside cabinets and drawers — Empty, wipe down, replace shelf liner if needed. Check for expired pantry items. (60 min)
9. Clean and organize under sink — Check for leaks (common in Oregon's older homes), clean area, reorganize supplies. (20 min)
10. Wipe countertop backsplash and grout — Scrub grout lines with baking soda paste and a brush. (20 min)
11. Clean light fixtures and bulbs — Remove covers, wash, dry, and replace. Dust bulbs. (15 min)
12. Sweep, mop, and clean floor edges — Move trash can and movable items, clean floor edges and corners where grime accumulates. (20 min)
Bathrooms (10 Tasks)
Oregon note: Bathrooms are your highest-priority spring cleaning area. Months of winter humidity create mold and mildew that regular cleaning does not fully address.
13. Scrub tile grout — Use a grout brush with baking soda paste or a commercial grout cleaner. Focus on shower walls, floor, and tub surround. (30 min per bathroom)
14. Treat mold and mildew — Inspect around windows, shower doors, caulking lines, and ceiling vents. Treat with mold-specific cleaner. In Oregon's climate, check window frames carefully — condensation during winter often leaves mold in tracks and frames. (20 min)
15. Deep clean shower door tracks — Fill tracks with vinegar, let sit 30 minutes, scrub with old toothbrush, flush. (15 min)
16. Clean exhaust fan — Remove cover, vacuum dust, wash cover, wipe fan blades. A clean exhaust fan is essential for moisture control in Oregon bathrooms. (15 min)
17. Scrub and sanitize toilet completely — Including behind the base, the bolt covers, and the often-neglected back of the tank. (15 min)
18. Clean medicine cabinet interior — Remove items, check expiration dates on medications, wipe shelves. (10 min)
19. Replace or wash shower curtain liner — Liners harbor mold. Replace vinyl liners; wash fabric liners on hot cycle with vinegar. (5 min)
20. Descale faucets and showerheads — Soak showerhead in vinegar (tie a bag around it overnight). Scrub faucet aerators. (10 min)
21. Wash bathroom rugs and towels on hot — Hot water kills bacteria and mold spores. (Laundry time)
22. Inspect and replace caulking if needed — Cracked or moldy caulk around tubs and showers should be scraped out and reapplied. This is a common issue in Oregon bathrooms. (30 min if needed)
Bedrooms (8 Tasks)
23. Wash all bedding including pillows and mattress pad — Pillows should be washed or replaced every 1-2 years. Wash mattress pad and duvet cover. (Laundry time)
24. Vacuum and flip or rotate mattress — Vacuum the mattress surface to remove dust mites and allergens. Rotate 180 degrees (most modern mattresses should not be flipped). (15 min)
25. Clean under and behind bed — Pull bed away from wall, vacuum underneath, clean the floor and baseboards. (15 min)
26. Dust and clean all furniture surfaces — Including dresser tops, nightstands, headboard, and shelves. Use a damp microfiber cloth to capture dust rather than spread it. (15 min per room)
27. Clean closet — Remove everything, vacuum floor and shelf surfaces, donate items not worn in the past year. (45 min per closet)
28. Wash curtains or dust blinds — Fabric curtains should be laundered or dry-cleaned annually. Dust blinds slat by slat with a damp cloth. (20 min per window)
29. Vacuum upholstered furniture — Use the upholstery attachment on chairs, settees, and upholstered benches. (10 min per piece)
30. Wipe light switches, outlets, and door handles — These high-touch surfaces harbor germs. Wipe with disinfectant. (5 min per room)
Living Areas and Common Spaces (10 Tasks)
31. Deep clean carpet or area rugs — Vacuum thoroughly, then steam clean or schedule professional carpet cleaning. After a wet Oregon winter, carpets trap moisture, mold spores, and tracked-in debris. (Professional: 1-2 hours; DIY rental steamer: 2-4 hours)
32. Clean upholstery and throw pillows — Vacuum with upholstery attachment. Spot-treat stains. Wash removable covers. (30 min)
33. Dust and clean all shelving and bookcases — Remove items, dust shelves, dust or wipe items before replacing. (30 min per unit)
34. Clean ceiling fans and light fixtures — Use a pillowcase over each fan blade to contain dust. Wipe fixtures. (15 min per room)
35. Wash all interior windows — Both sides if accessible. Clean tracks and sills. In Oregon, window tracks accumulate moisture, mold, and dead insects through winter. (15 min per window)
36. Clean baseboards throughout — Wipe all baseboards with a damp cloth. Spot treat scuffs. (30 min for full home)
37. Dust all doors, frames, and trim — Wipe down interior doors (both sides), door frames, and trim around doorways. (20 min)
38. Clean HVAC vents and registers — Remove vent covers, soak and wash them, vacuum inside the duct opening as far as you can reach. (30 min)
39. Replace HVAC filters — Spring is the critical time to replace filters in Oregon. Fresh filters before Willamette Valley grass pollen season (late May through July) can significantly reduce indoor allergens. (5 min)
40. Move furniture and clean underneath — Couches, entertainment centers, and other large pieces that have not moved since fall. (30 min)
Entryway, Laundry, and Utility Areas (5 Tasks)
41. Deep clean entryway and mudroom — After months of Oregon rain, entryways take the worst beating. Scrub floors, clean shoe storage, wash entry mats, wipe door and hardware. (30 min)
42. Clean washer and dryer — Run an empty hot cycle with vinegar in the washing machine. Clean the lint trap housing (not just the screen) in the dryer. Wipe exteriors. (20 min)
43. Clean water heater area — Sweep around the water heater, check for leaks or rust. In older Oregon homes, this area is prone to moisture issues. (10 min)
44. Organize cleaning supply storage — Discard empty or expired products. Restock essentials. (15 min)
45. Clean garage or storage area entrance — Sweep, remove winter clutter, and organize. (30 min)
Outdoor and Exterior Tasks (5 Tasks)
Oregon-specific: These outdoor tasks are especially important after our rainy season.
46. Clean gutters and downspouts — Oregon's trees (especially Douglas fir, big leaf maple, and oak) drop debris all winter. Clogged gutters cause water damage to siding and foundations. (1-2 hours or hire a professional)
47. Power wash exterior surfaces — Driveways, walkways, patios, and siding accumulate moss, algae, and green growth throughout Oregon's wet season. Power washing makes a dramatic difference. (2-3 hours or hire a professional)
48. Clean exterior windows — Winter rain, hard water spots, and organic growth cloud exterior windows. (1-2 hours or hire a professional)
49. Inspect and clean outdoor furniture — Patio furniture left outside through Oregon winters will have mildew. Scrub with appropriate cleaner, dry thoroughly. (30 min)
50. Check weather stripping and door seals — Winter weather degrades seals. Replace worn weather stripping to improve energy efficiency and keep moisture out. (30 min)
Suggested Weekend Timeline
If you are tackling this yourself, here is a realistic weekend-by-weekend plan:
Weekend 1: Kitchen and Bathrooms
Saturday: Tasks 1-12 (Kitchen) — approximately 5 hours
Sunday: Tasks 13-22 (Bathrooms) — approximately 3-4 hours
Weekend 2: Bedrooms and Living Areas
Saturday: Tasks 23-30 (Bedrooms) — approximately 4-5 hours
Sunday: Tasks 31-40 (Living Areas) — approximately 4-5 hours
Weekend 3: Utility Areas and Outdoors
Saturday: Tasks 41-45 (Utility Areas) — approximately 2 hours
Sunday: Tasks 46-50 (Outdoor) — approximately 4-5 hours
When to Call a Professional
Some spring cleaning tasks are worth outsourcing. Consider hiring help for:
- Deep carpet cleaning: Rental steamers do an adequate job, but professional carpet cleaning equipment extracts significantly more moisture and debris — important in Oregon where trapped moisture leads to mold under carpet padding.
- Mold remediation: If you find mold larger than a few square feet, particularly black mold, call a professional. Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality has guidelines on mold remediation.
- Gutter cleaning: If you have a two-story home or are uncomfortable with ladder work.
- The whole thing: A professional deep cleaning service can complete this entire indoor checklist in 4-8 hours. At Oregon rates of $200-$500, you get your entire weekend back.
At Otesse, our deep cleaning service covers tasks 1-40 on this list. We serve Portland, Eugene, Salem, and 9 other cities along the I-5 corridor. Request a free spring cleaning quote.
Oregon-Specific Spring Cleaning Tips
Mold Prevention After Rainy Season
Oregon's Willamette Valley is one of the most mold-prone regions in the country due to our mild, wet winters. During spring cleaning, pay special attention to:
- Bathroom caulking and grout — replace if mold cannot be fully removed
- Window tracks and frames — condensation during winter creates mold in aluminum and vinyl frames
- Under-sink areas — check for slow leaks that create mold-friendly environments
- Basement and crawl space access points — look for moisture intrusion signs
- Closets on exterior walls — these can develop mold behind clothing and storage
Pre-Pollen Season Preparation
The Willamette Valley is one of the largest grass seed producing regions in the world. Grass pollen season typically runs late May through July, and it can be brutal for allergy sufferers. During spring cleaning:
- Replace all HVAC filters with high-efficiency versions (MERV 11 or higher)
- Clean all vents and registers thoroughly
- Vacuum upholstery and drapes to remove existing allergens
- Consider having carpets professionally cleaned before pollen season starts
- Clean window screens so you can ventilate during the brief pre-pollen window in April and early May
Moisture Management
As you transition from heating season to warmer months:
- Check your dehumidifier (many Oregon homes have one) — clean the filter and reservoir
- Open windows on dry days to air out your home after months of being sealed
- Run bathroom exhaust fans for 20 minutes after showers — this matters year-round in Oregon
- Check for any condensation damage on windowsills and frames
Ready to Tackle Spring Cleaning?
Whether you work through this checklist yourself over a few weekends or hand it off to a professional, your home will feel dramatically different. After months of Oregon's rainy season, a thorough spring clean is one of the most satisfying home maintenance tasks you can do.
If you want professional help, get a free deep cleaning quote from Otesse. Our team handles all 40 indoor tasks on this list in a single appointment, and we use eco-friendly products throughout. We serve the entire I-5 corridor from Eugene to Portland.
Call us at 541-844-2585 to schedule your spring deep clean.
