Spring Cleaning Essentials
Designer-Approved Tools for a Fresh, Beautiful Home
There is something about the first hint of spring that makes you want to open the windows, let the light pour in, and give your home a fresh start.
After a long Wisconsin winter, our homes have worked hard for us. They’ve held muddy boots, cozy movie nights, snowy dogs, and all the little bits of everyday life that make a house feel lived in. Spring cleaning isn’t about perfection—it’s simply about resetting your spaces so they feel light, fresh, and ready for the next season of life.
And truthfully? The tools you use can make a big difference.
Over the years we’ve learned that beautiful, well-designed cleaning tools actually make the process easier—and a little more enjoyable too. These are some of our favorite essentials for a fresh seasonal reset.
Stylish Shelf Paper
One of the quickest ways to make a cabinet or drawer feel brand new is to add fresh shelf paper.
We love choosing patterns that feel a little special—something that makes opening a cabinet feel like a tiny moment of delight. It protects shelves, keeps things tidy, and gives drawers a finished look that feels thoughtful and intentional.
It’s a small detail, but those are often the details that make a home feel especially cared for.
A Powerful Vacuum That Works Hard
If there is one tool that earns its place in a hardworking home, it’s a good vacuum.
A strong, reliable vacuum makes quick work of rugs, upholstery, and all those corners that quietly collect dust during the winter months. When you have one that performs well and is easy to maneuver, the whole process goes faster—and that means you’re much more likely to keep up with it throughout the season.
Natural Bristle Pot Scrubbers
We love tools that are both practical and beautiful, and natural bristle pot scrubbers are a perfect example.
They’re tough enough to tackle stuck-on food but gentle enough for everyday cookware. The wood handles and natural fibers also hold up beautifully over time, which means they can live right next to the sink without looking like clutter.
Classic Cotton Dish Towels
Good dish towels are one of those quiet kitchen heroes.
Cotton towels absorb beautifully, wash well, and become softer over time. We like keeping a small stack on hand during spring cleaning—they’re perfect for wiping counters, drying dishes, polishing fixtures, and handling those little cleanup tasks that pop up throughout the day.
Magic Eraser Sheets
Magic eraser sheets are one of our favorite secret weapons.
They’re incredibly effective for removing scuffs on walls, marks on cabinets, and those mysterious little spots that seem to appear on trim and doors over time. Because they’re thin and flexible, they’re easy to cut down into smaller pieces so you can use exactly what you need.
A Fresh Lemon Spray Cleaner
A good spray cleaner is something you reach for again and again during a deep clean.
We love one with a bright lemon scent—it instantly makes the whole kitchen feel fresh. It’s perfect for wiping down counters, cleaning cabinet fronts, and giving sinks and faucets that just-polished shine.
Slim Crevice Brushes
Those tiny spaces around faucets, window frames, and cabinet hardware can be tricky to clean.
That’s where thin, stiff-bristle brushes come in. They slide easily into tight corners and remove buildup where cloths simply can’t reach. Once you try them, they quickly become one of those tools you wonder how you ever lived without.
A Natural Bristle Broom
Sometimes the simplest tools are still the best.
A slim natural bristle broom sweeps beautifully and is easy to maneuver into corners and under cabinets. Because it has a smaller profile, it’s also easier to store—something we always appreciate in busy family homes.
The Copper Dustpan Upgrade
If you’ve ever used a flimsy plastic dustpan, you know how frustrating it can be.
A solid copper dustpan feels sturdy, collects debris easily, and (bonus) looks beautiful enough to hang in a mudroom or pantry. It’s a small upgrade that makes everyday cleaning feel just a bit more satisfying.
An Air Purifier for Fresh Indoor Air
Spring cleaning isn’t just about surfaces—it’s also about the air we breathe.
A good air purifier quietly removes dust, pollen, and allergens from the air, helping your home feel lighter and cleaner overall. We especially love running one in bedrooms and living spaces as the seasons change.
A Deep Cleaning Bucket (That Stores Easily)
A deep bucket is one of those tools that makes everything easier.
It’s perfect for warm soapy water when wiping down baseboards, doors, and cabinets. We especially like versions with a small footprint, so they tuck neatly into a closet when not in use.
Two Types of Dusters (Both Essential)
Different surfaces need different approaches.
A long duster works beautifully for reaching high places like ceiling fans, tall cabinets, and light fixtures. Meanwhile, a soft feather duster is perfect for delicate surfaces—think lampshades, artwork, and decorative objects.
Having both means you can clean thoroughly without worrying about damaging anything.
A Natural Scrubbing Secret: Lemons + Kosher Salt
Sometimes the best cleaning solution is the simplest one.
A fresh lemon paired with kosher salt creates a wonderfully effective natural scrub. It’s perfect for brightening stainless sinks, polishing cookware, and lifting stubborn spots on stovetops.
It leaves everything sparkling clean and smelling fresh at the same time.
A Countertop Composter That Keeps Things Tidy
If you cook often, you know how quickly little scraps add up—lemon peels, vegetable ends, coffee grounds, eggshells. Instead of tossing them straight into the trash, a countertop composter makes it easy to collect them neatly as you go.
We love a version with a small, streamlined footprint that can live quietly on the counter or tuck neatly under the sink. It keeps scraps contained, helps reduce kitchen waste, and makes it simple to transfer everything to your outdoor compost bin or garden pile later.
It’s one of those small systems that makes everyday life in the kitchen feel a little more thoughtful and organized.
And if you’re already slicing lemons for your natural scrubbing solution, you’ll have the perfect place for the peels when you’re done.
Finish With a Fresh Candle
After a good cleaning session, lighting a candle feels like the final touch.
A lemon and rosemary candle adds a soft, clean scent that keeps the whole house feeling fresh long after the work is done. It’s the perfect reward for a job well done.
A Little Upgrade Goes a Long Way
Sometimes the biggest difference in how we care for our homes comes from the simplest upgrades.
A thoughtfully chosen broom.
A better scrub brush.
A cleaner that smells like fresh lemons instead of harsh chemicals.
These small tools quietly support the rhythms of everyday life—and help create a home that feels calm, cared for, and ready for whatever the season brings next.
And that, after all, is the whole goal.
Love where you live.