Boost Your Mood and Tidy Your Space With These Spring Cleaning Must-Dos
Morgan Olsen•Thumbtack’s Home Design Expert•Last updated Mar 13, 2025
Last updated Mar 13, 2025
We’re uncovering the connection between spring cleaning and mental well-being from our recent survey — along with expert tips to help you clean smarter, not harder.
After months of being cooped up indoors, many people are feeling the effects of seasonal stress, clutter fatigue, and even winter-induced anxiety. In fact, 67% of people recently told us that a messy home makes them feel stressed or overwhelmed.
That’s why spring cleaning isn’t just about dusting off shelves or scrubbing floors — it’s a chance to refresh your space and your state of mind. But let’s be honest: figuring out where to start (and actually following through) is often easier said than done.
We surveyed 1,000 people nationwide to uncover habits and attitudes around spring cleaning — from the most overlooked areas to the biggest challenges and motivators. Plus, we tapped our network of cleaning pros and organizers, as well as clinical psychologist Dr. Dawn Potter for expert tips to make the process easier — and dare we say, even enjoyable.
The biggest spring cleaning struggles — and who’s tackling them.
Spring cleaning may be an annual tradition, but for many, getting started — and actually finishing — can be extremely challenging. While 41% of people dive into deep cleaning in March, a staggering 81% struggle with finding the time and staying motivated. And with good reason — what starts as a weekend project (for 41% of people) often stretches into a week-long endeavor (34%), making it easy to lose steam.
So, how do you stay on track? Jen and Brian Boyle, members of the Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board and owners of MaidThis Cleaning in Salt Lake City, recommend taking inventory of your home’s cleaning needs before you begin.
“Set aside 30 minutes to walk through your home, paying attention to areas you don’t usually inspect closely,” said the Boyles. “Think window blinds or shutters, hard-to-reach spots like the tops of cabinets or built-ins, behind the fridge, and under furniture or beds. Take note of the areas that have been neglected for a while, then schedule a day to get started.”
While 55% of people get help with spring cleaning — whether from family, roommates, or professionals — enthusiasm varies. Men are nearly twice as likely as women to procrastinate or skip it (39% vs. 17%), with women leading the charge. Age matters too, as younger generations (looking at you Gen Z and Millennials) tend to delay cleaning, while older generations tackle it like seasoned, disciplined pros.
For those struggling to start — or finish — spring cleaning, bringing in a professional can make all the difference. Sulena Long, a Thumbtack Home Organizing Pro and Owner of SO UNIQUE Concierge, says hiring an expert is especially helpful if you’re dealing with a major decluttering project or simply need an extra set of hands to get through it all.
“You should bring in a professional organizer when you feel overwhelmed, lack the time, or struggle to create and maintain an effective system,” said Long. “A pro can provide expert guidance, customized solutions, and an objective perspective that makes the process more efficient and less stressful.”
The dirtiest areas in your home might surprise you.
Some areas of the home tend to get overlooked — sometimes for years. Decluttering storage spaces and closets was the most procrastinated task, with nearly 59% admitting they avoid it — because nothing says “stress” like deciding whether to finally part with those jeans from 2010.
Sulena always starts a closet refresh by decluttering. “I like to sort items into keep, donate, and discard piles, letting go of anything I haven’t worn in a year,” she added. “Then, I maximize space with slim hangers, shelf dividers, and storage bins for accessories. Once everything is in place, adding scented sachets, proper lighting, and stylish storage solutions gives the closet a fresh, boutique-like feel.”
But the most neglected area of all? Windows.
Windows — inside and out — ranked as the number one skipped cleaning task, with 33% of people admitting they never get around to them. And if that wasn’t enough, 25% confessed they’ve never cleaned their curtains. (We won’t judge, but those dust bunnies might.)
The good news? Tackling these often-missed areas doesn’t have to be overwhelming. “Start by cleaning the curtains or blinds first,” added the Boyles. “Too often, people clean their windows first, only to dirty them again while wiping down the blinds. When cleaning blinds, work from top to bottom. If they’re in the kitchen and prone to grease buildup, use a degreaser to remove the grime. Then, clean the window tracks and perimeter, and finally, wipe down the glass.”
A Clean Home = A Clear Mind
Spring cleaning isn’t just about making your home sparkle — it’s about clearing mental clutter, too. Over 60% of people say that deep cleaning boosts their mood and sense of accomplishment, while also reducing stress and anxiety.
As mentioned above, 67% admit that a messy house makes them feel stressed — or even “extremely triggered” — with 9% needing organization for the sake of their mental health. A clean space also fuels productivity (36%) and creates a more relaxing environment (30%). No wonder the top motivation for spring cleaning (31%) is the desire for a peaceful, organized space.
“As the days get longer and the weather warms up, people often feel a boost in energy,” said Dr. Dawn Potter, Licensed Psychologist at Cleveland Clinic. “That makes spring the perfect time to take advantage and tackle cleaning. Cleaning can be a helpful way to redirect worries and regain a sense of control, while also creating a calming, clutter-free environment. When we’re depressed, even basic tasks can feel overwhelming, but pushing through to complete some cleaning may create a positive ripple effect, leading to other mood-boosting actions.”
The top-trending spring cleaning projects and most motivated cities.
This spring, homeowners are tackling more than just dust — they’re investing in deep-cleaning projects. Solar panel cleaning has soared 212% YoY, and roof cleaning is up 55% YoY, helping prevent costly damage and boost curb appeal. Inside, demand for professional organizing has surged 54% YoY, while upholstery and furniture cleaning has risen 50% YoY. With fireplaces working overtime, chimney and fireplace cleaning is up 51% YoY, ensuring homes stay soot-free.
Leading the charge in spring cleaning motivation? Homeowners in Austin, Atlanta, and West Palm Beach are tackling the most projects per capita — and getting a head start in February — followed by Charlotte, and Tampa.
Get started, sooner rather than later.
No matter how you decide to begin, the key is to create a plan that works for you. Prioritize the areas that will make the biggest impact, set realistic goals, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
“Start small,” added Dr. Potter. “Something is better than nothing, so don’t give up just because you can’t finish everything at once. Plan out your tasks, set generous timelines, and reward yourself for what you accomplish.”
So whether it’s finally going through that overstuffed closet or giving the grimy windows a much-needed shine, there’s nothing like a good spring clean to refresh your space — and your mind. And if you’re ready to call in the pros for a specific problem area or top-to-bottom deep clean, Thumbtack’s network of experts is here to help get the job done.
Download the Thumbtack app, and start your search for cleaning and organizing services in your area today.
Methodology:
This SurveyMonkey online poll was conducted between February 25–26, 2025 among a national sample of 1,031 adults (21–65). Respondents for this survey were selected from the nearly 2 million people who take surveys on the SurveyMonkey platform each day. Data for this survey has been weighted for age, race, sex, education, and geography using the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to reflect the demographic composition of the United States. The modeled error estimate for this survey is plus or minus 3.114 percentage points.
All year-over-year comparison data is based on comparisons between February 2024 and February 2025 and examines projects that have the greatest year-over-year increase and the greatest increase by volume. All pricing data is based on national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack Pros and additional research, real prices may vary based on city and supply.
City rankings are based on the relative frequency of such requests during February 2025 adjusted for the population of each metropolitan area, and only cities with 100+ requests are included.
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