The traditional domestic spring clean dates back centuries. It's that time of year when we all want to clear out the old, freshen up and make our homes like new. But if the thought of blitzing every room from top to bottom seems like an overwhelming housework chore, then check out these tips and tricks for the home and garden. Here's the ultimate spring clean up routine to help you prioritise and purge the project perfectly. Just don't forget your duster...

If a huge spring clean up fills you with dread, break the chores down into bite-size pieces you can handle. Creator of The Organised Mum Method, Gemma Bray, takes on a more traditional housework structure with a weekly rota that works. Choose a room every day and give it just half an hour of devoted time. Before long it will be part of your daily living routine and the dreaded spring clean won't take over your life – it may even be fun. 

Before you begin a big spring clean up make sure you are well prepared for the job. Do a stock check of cleaning products you already own and replenish the cupboard with what's missing. As well as conventional chemical products, natural supplies work well and are eco friendly. Green cleaning baskets should contain, lemon juice, distilled white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, salt and olive oil. MOT your vacuum and renew brooms, dustpan and brushes and duster rags. 

It's so easy to amass duplicates of make-up, medicines and other bathroom essentials. So, this spring go through your bathroom storage and make-up bags and throw out anything that's out of date, empty or no longer of use. Don't forget to check the use-by dates on any medical supplies you might have. Once you've completed your purge, get organising to create a sleek and seamless space for all your essentials that any 'cleanfluencer' would be proud to show off.

Our carpets really get the brunt of it over the year, with endless feet trampling in dirt, pet shedding and accidental spills. So, if your carpets are looking a little worse for wear, it might be time to give them a good shampooing. For the task, you can hire a carpet cleaning machine, or buy one to keep, before choosing a good quality carpet shampoo with stain protection built in. With a little work now, you can keep your flooring looking fabulous until next year.

After muddy winter walks and trips out in the rain, your four-legged friend might be in need of a bath. But what about their bed? Often overlooked, dog beds can soon become smelly, so take a look at the cleaning instructions on the label and give yours a freshen up. You might also have accumulated a staggering amount of dog toys, so take a moment to have a clear out, throwing away any that have seen better days or that don't get played with very often. The same applies to any pungent cat beds and play toys!

Provide an open and welcoming hallway with a thorough clean and declutter. Put away winter outwear until autumn, shed out of date letters from the mail rack, vacuum out the shoe storage and replace the worn-out doormat with a new and colourful version that cries 'hello spring'. 

It's never been more important to keep your home clean and germ-free. Give kitchen and bathroom surfaces (including floors and tiles) a good clean with hot soapy water, or sugar soap to remove grease and dirt. Then go over with a steam mop, disinfectant or diluted bleach to get rid of any nasties. Move mobile kitchen islands, tables and movable storage to sweep in between cracks. Wipe down cupboard fronts and kick-boards. Freshen up splashbacks with a grout pen if needed.

The new spring season brings with it lighter evenings and warmer days so it's time to pack away the winter knits and readorn your wardrobes with lighter clothes. Vacuum-pack the bulky items to maximise storage space and then try to arrange your new summer wardrobe in a colour coordinated way that's practical and attractive to look at. 

As well as large appliances give smaller kitchen staples an MOT too. Decrumb and clean the toaster, descale the kettle and coffee machines. Also clean and restock tea caddies and dry food jars. Don't forget to sanitise buttons and handles, too.

Many cosy nights in through the winter will have taken their toll on the sofas and armchairs so now's the time to give the seating a good deodorise and clean. If suitable, remove and machine wash sofa cushion covers or vacuum and then sponge clean any stains. Give them a good airing outside in the sunshine, and beat the cushions to clear out dust and dander. Once clean, you can splash out on some new season covers in brighter fabrics and prints to lift your living room.

Learn to live by 'a tidy house means a tidy home' mantra by keeping everything in its place. After you've completed a thorough declutter boot camp, invest in beautiful stacking storage boxes that can clear away any chaos and clutter in an instant.

All that winter comfort cooking will have no doubt taken its toll on the oven and hob. Make it sparkle again in preparation for cooking sizzling summer dishes. A thorough clean will rid grease and food residue that leads to smoke and odours. As well as the inside, deep clean the outside by removing and cleaning the temperate knobs and cooking plates in warm soapy water. Olive oil on stainless steel creates a shiny finish. 

A good spring clean checklist should require you to use every extension your vacuum cleaner has to offer. It's surprising how much dust can accumulate in forgotten places hidden from vision. So, click on that crevice attachment and rid any dust that's accumulated on top of doors and door frames, wood panels and high open shelves, under sofa cushions, bed frames and kitchen kickboards. Finally, don't forget skirting board corners and behind radiators too. 

As well as a pre-Christmas and birthday toy tidy, a springtime toy clear out will keep toys from taking over your home. Put broken toys in the recycling and donate games that have been outgrown. Try to toy tidy without little ones involved as they will probably try to keep everything. If saying goodbye to their toys is a problem, why not store some in the loft first? If they haven't mentioned them in a month or so it's safe to throw out without tantrums involved. 

Grease and scuff marks are a common problem of popular and pale neutral backdrops. Always have spare labelled paint pots in the right shade for each room so patch-ups so any marks can be easily covered. High traffic areas such as hallways, living rooms and kitchens will need special attention. A sugar soap washdown is essential to remove stubborn grease marks before painting. 

Lift up rugs to vacuum and remove dirt from underneath. If you can, have them dry-cleaned or hire a professional carpet cleaner. If neither of these is an option, take them outside and give them a good beating with a tennis racket, broom or anything you can get your hands on (you may want to wear a mask to stop you from breathing in all the dust). Spot clean any stains or even run the hose over it if it's made of a suitable material such as cotton or synthetic materials. Finally, use a spray-on fabric freshener with a clean spring fragrance. 

You only have to take a look at #Taptotidy on social media to see there is nothing more satisfying than an organised linen cupboard. Start with plenty of shelf space and then create compartments with easy-to-reach storage baskets for your fabulously folded sheets and towels. A coordinated colour-theme is also key to an Instagram-worthy finish. 

Larders and pantries are on many kitchen design wish lists but need TLC to keep them coordinated and orderly. First, remove everything and clean the shelves. Discard any products that have passed the use-by date. Group together tins, dry ingredients, cereals, condiments and herbs and spices, using baskets, boxes and labels so it's easy to keep track of stores. Finally, make sure everything is facing forwards.  

Kitchen sinks, bath and shower tray drains can kick up a nasty stink so now's the time to run a heavy-duty cleaner or natural alternative through the pipework. Any accumulated hair (from the bathroom) or food (from the kitchen) will need to be removed and then try Mrs Hinch's odour eating drain recipe that consists of bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar, natural lemon and boiling water. 

Streamlined shutters are a stylish trend but the slatted design is a concentrated dust magnet! A blind brush is a clever time-saving duster that has three sleeves that slot in between the bars. A crevice vacuum attachment should also fit and do a good job on regular curtains and blinds, too. 

Revamp your shelves and make some space with a good clean and declutter. Filter out any books that no longer hold sentimental value by passing them onto friends or giving them to charity and recycle magazines that are now out of date. Try not to overload surfaces with accessories; stick to displaying in threes for a clean and balanced look. 

Pack away your warmer blankets and bring out the lower tog duvets and throws. If you can, put them in the washing machine but if not give them an airing or dry clean to refresh. While they are airing, vacuum and turn your mattress over and open your bedroom windows. Leave it uncovered for at least a few hours: a good airing can actually reduce the number of bacteria.

Clear away clutter from countertops and restore the kitchen worktops with a specialised cleaner. Polish up granite to restore shine and give natural oak an oil to renew its natural beauty and protect it from any stains. 

As with windows, mirrors make a huge difference to light levels in homes as they reflect and bounce daylight around rooms, maximising the sense of space. Professional cleaning service MollyMaid suggests removing hairspray, watermarks and greasy fingerprints with rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth before spraying the mirror with a cleaning solution. To finish, use a microfibre cloth for a streak-free shine. 

Whilst linens are being laundered or updated move the bed and take down any pendant light shades. Light bulbs get changed regularly but how often does the decorative fixture get cleaned? Make sure the electricity is turned off, then remove the shade to brush off or vacuum, sponge clean and leave to dry before reattaching. Wipe down the wires and fitting too. Repeat the clean on bedside lamps and bases. 

Put away the cosy bedding and bring out lighter and more refreshing cotton linens. Soft colours and pretty floral prints will make your bedroom feel sunny, but anything in a pale or bright colour will lift the room. Spring nights can still be chilly though so do add a warm throw or quilt on top until summer truly arrives. 

Once the framework of the house is spring cleaned and decluttered, you might feel inspired to go for a full spring redecorating project. If that seems a bit daunting after all that cleaning, bring in some seasonal flowers and foliage to fill your new sparkling home with a fresh fragrance. Why not create and hang a pretty spring wreath to mark the new season? 

The quickest way to make a room feel ready for spring is to clean and open the windows, letting the fresh air and new light in. A window vac is an easy and effective gadget for streak-free panels or simply use vinegar and newspaper for a streak-free finish - a thrifty old trick we learned from Grandma.

Don't forget the outside, too! Over the course of winter, pathways, patios and driveways become riddled with grime and weeds. So, before your garden is filled with friends enjoying the sunshine, tackle the issue by investing in a pressure washer. These machines make removing dirt and algae incredibly easy, thanks to a powerful blast of water. Just ensure you clear the area before you start, sweep away any loose debris and wear goggles to protect your eyes. If you don't want to buy a washer, you can hire one instead.

Weather permitting, it's likely you'll soon be inviting family and friends round for alfresco meals, so there's really never been a better time to tackle the barbecue. Whether you have an amazing outdoor kitchen setup or a small coal-fired barbie, it will have been gathering dust and cobwebs since last year. Get the kit out into the garden, grab a bucket of warm soapy water and get to work – just think of the reward of freshly chargrilled food when you're done. If you have any stubborn areas of rust, follow this clever hack shared by Home Essentials: get out the ketchup! Simply apply a small amount to any areas of rust and leave for a few minutes, then wait to see the results!

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