Spring cleaning in Metro Vancouver is mostly about clearing out the wet season: window tracks and sills, mildew spots, the entry, closets and the balcony. Declutter first, work room by room from top to bottom, and plan it over a weekend or two — or book one deep clean and keep the declutter for yourself.
After months of rain, closed windows and wet shoes, spring is when most Metro Vancouver homes need a real reset. Condensation leaves window tracks grimy, the entry has taken a beating, and the balcony has been ignored since October. This checklist is built for that.
Why spring cleaning matters in Vancouver
- Window tracks and sills collect condensation, dirt and sometimes mildew all winter.
- Bathrooms have had months of steam with windows shut — check grout, caulking and the fan.
- Entries and floors have taken constant grit and water.
- Dust builds up when windows stay closed and the heat is on. Spring's the time to clear vents and filters.
Start with a declutter
Cleaning around clutter takes twice as long. Before you start, give yourself a few hours with three boxes: keep, donate, toss. Go closet by closet and drawer by drawer. Many Metro Vancouver cities run free or low-cost drop-offs for bulky items and household hazardous waste — check your city's website before you load the car.
Room-by-room spring cleaning checklist
Every room
- Ceiling corners, light fixtures and ceiling fans dusted
- Walls spot-cleaned; door frames, switches and handles wiped
- Windows cleaned inside; sills and tracks vacuumed and wiped
- Blinds dusted or washed; curtains laundered if the label allows
- Heating vents and returns vacuumed
- Baseboards wiped
- Under and behind furniture vacuumed
Kitchen
- Inside the fridge, freezer and oven
- Range hood filter degreased
- Pantry and cabinets emptied, wiped, expired food tossed
- Small appliances and the top of the fridge
- Full checklist: kitchen deep cleaning checklist
Bathrooms
- Grout and caulking scrubbed; check for mould — see how to clean grout
- Exhaust fan cover removed and washed
- Shower glass, shower head and drains
- Medicine cabinet and drawers sorted
Bedrooms and closets
- Swap winter clothes out; donate what didn't get worn
- Closet shelves and floors wiped and vacuumed
- Mattress vacuumed and rotated; pillows and duvets washed if the label allows
- Under the bed
Living areas
- Sofa vacuumed, including under cushions
- Bookshelves and electronics dusted
- Rugs vacuumed on both sides or sent out for cleaning
Do the declutter, leave the scrubbing to usA Good Maid deep clean covers inside the oven, fridge, cabinets, baseboards and door frames — supplies included.
See my deep clean price →Balcony, patio and entry
- Balcony or patio: sweep, clear leaves and moss from drains, wash furniture. Most strata bylaws restrict pressure washing or hosing water onto balconies below — check yours, and use a bucket and brush if in doubt.
- Window screens: take them out and rinse.
- Entry: wash or replace the door mats, clean the boot tray, wipe the front door and handle.
- Exterior windows: leave high ones to a window-cleaning company with the right equipment.
A two-weekend spring cleaning plan
| When | Focus |
|---|---|
| Weekend 1, Saturday | Declutter closets, drawers and the pantry; drop-off run |
| Weekend 1, Sunday | Kitchen top to bottom |
| Weekend 2, Saturday | Bathrooms, then bedrooms and closets |
| Weekend 2, Sunday | Living areas, windows and tracks, floors, balcony |
Or split it: declutter yourself, then book a deep clean for the scrubbing. A deep clean on a 2 bed, 2 bath condo is $393 with Good Maid; window sills and tracks are part of our move in/out clean — for a lived-in home, ask us first and we'll tell you what fits.
Once it's done, our weekly cleaning schedule keeps it that way.
Frequently asked questions
What should be on a spring cleaning checklist?
Decluttering, dusting high spots and vents, windows and window tracks, inside the fridge and oven, grout and bathroom fans, closets and mattresses, under furniture, and the balcony or patio.
How long does spring cleaning take?
For most homes, two weekends: one for decluttering and the kitchen, one for bathrooms, bedrooms, living areas and windows. A professional deep clean can cover the scrubbing in a single visit.
When should you spring clean in Vancouver?
March to May, once the heaviest rain has passed and you can open windows to air the home out.
Can I pressure wash my condo balcony?
Many strata bylaws restrict it because water runs onto balconies below. Check your strata's rules, and use a bucket and brush if you're not sure.
Is a deep clean the same as spring cleaning?
A deep clean covers most of the scrubbing — inside the oven, fridge and cabinets, baseboards and door frames. Decluttering, closets and outside areas are usually separate.
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