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It's spring cleaning season!

In a bedroom, a man vacuums a rug as a woman cleans the window.

March 27, 2026—Is the new spring season inspiring you to deep clean your living space? Spring cleaning helps rid your home of dust and clutter.

And it has other health benefits too.

Vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning surfaces and objects makes your home look good. It also removes dust mites, pollen, pet hair/dander and mold—irritants that can trigger allergies or asthma. Regular cleaning throughout the year helps keep these under control.

It's also exercise. Light-intensity physical activities, like cleaning, can be your first steps toward moving more and sitting less, which is good for your heart. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), standing instead of sitting for just 90 minutes a day improved health indicators in people who were overweight but otherwise healthy.

And spring cleaning offers a range of ways to burn calories. In just 15 minutes, a 170-pound adult can burn:

  • 41 calories loading the washing machine or folding laundry.
  • 67 calories making the bed, washing the dishes or vacuuming at a good pace.
  • 71 calories washing windows, cleaning the garage or doing other heavy-duty tasks.
  • 118 calories moving furniture or carrying boxes.

Cleaning activities also can boost good feelings. A 2014 study, according to the AHA, showed that even a few minutes of dishwashing "with intentionality and awareness" made participants feel better and lowered negative feelings.

Ready to get started?

Take your spring cleaning to the next level with these practical cleaning tips.

1. Avoid feather dusters, brooms or other things that stir up dust. Instead, use a microfiber cloth slightly dampened with water or a weak vinegar solution. A floor sweeper with an electrostatic cloth can pick up and hold dust for easy disposal. Wear a mask to avoid inhaling dust.

2. Steer clear of cleaning products that use harsh chemicals. Baking soda, white vinegar, castile soap and washing soda all clean just as well as or better than their chemical cousins. Plus, all of these products are safer for your lungs, your skin and the environment.

3. Use a dust-busting vacuum. Tackling carpets, upholstery and draperies keeps dust under control and can reduce lead levels too. Choose a HEPA filter-equipped machine or a cyclonic-style vacuum that spins dust and dirt away from the floor.

4. Beat allergy-causing dust mites in the bedroom. These tiny insects feed off of dead human skin cells, leaving behind their carcasses and fecal matter. Yuck! Wash bed linens weekly in hot water (at least 130 degrees). Wash comforters every two to three months.

5. Deep clean your fridge, freezer and pantry. Take everything out; throw away out-of-date foods; wipe down shelves and drawers; and clean surfaces with warm, soapy water. Put any foods that expire soon at the front of your shelves, so you remember to use them soon.

Not sure where germs like to lurk? Learn more about where—and how—to clean your living space.

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