Spring Deep Cleaning Checklist for Florida Homes

Order of work

Ceiling fans and light fixtures, then walls and shelves, then surfaces, then floors. Dust falls, so nothing gets cleaned twice.

Kitchen

• Range hood and oven: degrease the hood filter (it traps months of grease) and scrub baked-on carbon off the oven floor.
• Fridge: vacuum the condenser coils and wipe the door gaskets, where humidity grows mold.
• Cabinet fronts and backsplash: a degreaser lifts grease film you can't see.
• Small appliances: descale the coffee maker; run the empty dishwasher with vinegar.

Bathrooms

• Grout and caulk: treat mildew lines and replace caulk that's past cleaning.
• Exhaust fan cover: pop it off and vacuum it. A clogged fan lets steam linger and mildew come back.
• Showerhead: soak it in vinegar to clear hard-water buildup.

Living areas and bedrooms

• Ceiling fans: slide a pillowcase over each blade and pull.
• Baseboards, door frames, switch plates.
• Under and behind furniture, where pet hair and pollen collect.
• Window tracks: vacuum the grit before you wipe, or you just make mud.

Florida extras

• AC: replace return filters and wipe vent covers. They spread dust through the whole house.
• Entryway tile: sand and grass clippings.
• Lanai: hose down screens and furniture and wipe frames before pollen peaks.
• Garage: sweep out clippings and fertilizer dust and check the dehumidifier. Standing humidity feeds mold on shelves and boxes.

Mildew already on stucco or screen frames? See how to stop mold and mildew in a Florida home.

How long and how often

Budget three to four hours for a typical two- to three-bedroom home, longer if it's been over a year or you're doing the oven, coils and grout the same day (real numbers by home size). Do it at least once a year. Homes on a recurring weekly or biweekly schedule need far less catch-up.