The jobs you must do in March to get ahead of the big Spring clean – what to buy and how to get decluttering for a spectacular home refresh, according to the experts

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Experts have revealed the easy jobs you can tackle now around the house to make your big spring clean a breeze.

March is the perfect time of year to get started on cleaning and clearing your space, with the weather warming and the sun starting to brighten our homes. 

Doing a basic declutter now will save you stress and hassle come time to do a deep spring clean – but where should you start?

Magdalena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at Barker and Stonehouse, told the Daily Mail that completing small chores will make the daunting spring clear-out feel lighter. 

‘As we transition out of winter, it’s the perfect time to pack away heavier items like thick throws, winter bedding and bulky coats, freeing up valuable storage space for lighter, more breathable pieces,’ she said. 

‘That simple seasonal swap instantly makes rooms feel brighter and more considered.’

Professional organiser, Lucy Mansey, who is the founder of Organised By Lucy (OBL), said rearranging decor and furniture and removing seasonal items can make a big impact. 

‘The aim is to be thorough and practical, removing seasonal items, clothing that no longer needs to be in a primary space and considering rehoming items that you no longer need or love,’ she told the Daily Mail. 

‘It’s a good time to be ruthless!’

Why March is the perfect time to start cleaning and clearing

‘Since March is nature’s time for renewal, what better time to refresh your space than by throwing your windows open, Spring cleaning, and decluttering?’ Lucy said. 

‘With the sun bringing everything back to life after those dark winter months, it is time to strip back anything that feels heavy or cluttered, and refresh your space. Spring Cleaning is as much about decluttering as it is about cleaning.’

Magdalena said brighter days can shed light on the mess your household has accumulated over the winter months. 

‘When daylight floods into a room, it highlights areas we’ve neglected over winter, encouraging us to declutter, reorganise and breathe new life into our spaces,’ she said. 

The interiors pro added that getting organised in March will set the tone for the months ahead.  

‘By clearing out now, you reduce stress later, whether you’re preparing for summer hosting, family visits, holidays or home improvements,’ she said. 

‘A well-organised home gives you the flexibility to enjoy the season rather than feeling overwhelmed by it.’

What to ditch

Old bedding

‘If sheets are thinning, bobbling or no longer holding their shape, they’re likely impacting both comfort and sleep quality,’ Magdalena said.

‘Over time, bedding can accumulate dust and allergens, so replacing worn-out pieces with fresh, breathable fabrics can make a noticeable difference as we move into warmer months.’

Invest in quality bedding to give your bedroom – and your sleep – a much-needed refresh. 

Spring patterns add a floral touch to your room, while classic white sheets feel fresh and inviting.  

Unworn winter clothes

Now that we’re done with winter, it’s a good idea to consider whether you really need the cold-weather clothing that didn’t leave the cupboard. 

‘We’re all guilty of keeping items ‘just in case’, but if you didn’t reach for a particular coat, scarf or jumper all winter, it’s worth questioning whether you realistically will next year,’ Magdalena said. 

‘Unworn clothes take up valuable wardrobe space and make it harder to appreciate the pieces you genuinely love.’

She said to adopt the ‘one-year rule’, where if you haven’t worn something in 12 months, it’s probably best to let it go. 

If you are environmentally conscious or don’t want to overwhelm your local second-hand store, Lucy suggested turning to online selling platforms like Vinted, Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree. 

Not only will you make space in your wardrobe and give a garment a second life, but you might make some cash in the process. 

Expired items 

Forgotten corners of the kitchen and bathrooms could be housing out-of-date goods that are taking up valuable storage space. 

‘Kitchen drawers and cupboards, as well as bathroom cabinets, are the places where the biggest gains can be made,’ Lucy said.

‘Check the expiry dates on all the tins and jars in your ingredient cupboard.

‘Toiletries and medicines also have expiry dates that you should check regularly. If you haven’t used anything in a year, it might be time to donate or discard it.’

Bedside clutter

Nightstands can quickly become cluttered with all the bits and bobs you use before you sleep and after you wake up. 

‘Bedside tables should contribute to a calm and restful environment, yet they often become home to half-used products, tangled chargers and unread books,’ Magdalena said.

‘Editing this space regularly and keeping only what supports your evening routine can instantly create a more peaceful bedroom atmosphere.’

Home organisation hacks 

Start small 

If you want the results of a big, deep clean but feel overwhelmed by the process, Magdalena recommended focusing on ‘small, intentional touches’ as they can make the ‘biggest difference’. 

‘I always recommend treating your home as you would a beautifully curated display,’ she said. 

‘Keep surfaces intentional rather than overcrowded, edit down decorative accessories, and introduce one fresh element, whether that’s a new candle, a vase of seasonal flowers or a repositioned lamp to soften the lighting.’

One of Magdalena’s most effective organisation methods is the ‘little and often’ rule. 

‘Rather than waiting for clutter to build into an overwhelming task, tackling smaller jobs regularly helps you maintain momentum and a sense of control,’ she explained. 

‘When you address areas incrementally, you’re able to make more thoughtful, intentional decisions about what stays and what goes, ensuring your home evolves with your lifestyle.’

One bit at a time

‘When you give a single room your full attention, whether that’s refreshing your bedroom with neatly layered bedding and a linen spray, or decluttering and restyling your living room shelves,’ Magdalena said. 

She suggested starting with soft furnishings to ‘build momentum’. 

‘Washing cushion covers, rotating mattresses, clearing bedside tables and editing down visible storage areas will make the eventual deep clean feel far more manageable,’ she said. 

You don’t even have to break the task down room by room; Magdalena said you can focus on a specific area or piece of furniture, like a crowded corner or a cluttered cupboard. 

‘For example, clearing and reorganising a wardrobe, editing the contents of a sideboard, or sorting glassware in a cabinet,’ she added.

‘Approaching organisation through functional furniture makes the process feel structured and far more manageable.’

Group by similarity

If you’re still feeling frazzled by the big clean, Magdalena said another way you can start is to lay everything out and group items together. 

‘Take a dining table, for example, gather all related pieces such as tablecloths, placemats, serving dishes and decorative accessories in one place,’ she said.

‘Seeing the full collection often highlights duplicates or pieces that no longer suit your style. 

‘From there, refine your selection to one or two cohesive colour palettes or patterns, removing anything damaged, mismatched or unused.’

Smart storage 

Both experts say storage solutions can make all the difference when organising your home. 

‘Keep everyday essentials within easy reach, and store less frequently used items neatly in cabinets, baskets or concealed compartments,’ Magdalena said. 

‘Wall-mounted shelves, mirrored cabinets and under-sink organisers can maximise space without overcrowding a room.’

For Lucy, vertical storage is ‘magic’, and she recommends wall-mounted shelves or hooks to free up floor and cupboard space: ‘If there’s a wall, there’s a way to store’.

She also suggested using stylish baskets to conceal clutter and add texture to your home’s style. 

‘Find the right baskets to fit on your shelves, or in cupboards and use them to corral accessories, toys, and all those other bits and pieces that would otherwise be roaming free,’ she said.

Draw dividers are a must for Lucy, not just in the kitchen but also in the bedroom and bathroom as well. 

Adhesive hooks are also handy, according to the organising pro who said good quality versions are great for the backs of doors for things like hairdryers and bags. 

Common decluttering mistakes

Trying to do everything at once

‘One of the biggest mistakes is approaching decluttering as a single, overwhelming task. Instead, adopt a ‘little and often’ mindset,’ Magdalena said. 

‘Small, consistent actions help you maintain control and momentum, reducing stress and preventing clutter from building up again.’

Overthinking sentimental items 

‘Don’t get stuck evaluating every item’s emotional value,’ Lucy said, adding that she also works by the ‘one-year rule’. 

‘If you haven’t used it in the last year, it’s probably time to let go,’ she said.

 Magdalena is also a fan of the one-year rule and suggested asking if an item has been used in the past 12 months and if it serves a purpose if you’re stuck on whether to keep or toss. 

‘These questions encourage you to evaluate the true value of each item, rather than holding onto things out of habit,’ she said.

Not having a plan 

Lucy recommends mapping out what you truly want to achieve and tackle during your clear out. 

‘Diving in without a strategy can lead to chaos. Make a clear plan, deciding which areas to address and which methods to use,’ she said. 

Forgoing an exit strategy 

Purging your home of unwanted, underused items is all well and good, but Lucy said it’s important to know where you’ll dispose of everything before you start the cull. 

‘Find out and plan, in advance, where you can take your items for rehoming, recycling or rubbish,’ she advised. 

‘Deciding what you don’t need anymore is a positive step, but it’s no use if you then have bags of unwanted things hanging around without knowing what to do with them.’

Stripping away your home’s personality

While it’s refreshing to declutter your home, Magdalena said it’s important you don’t remove all its character. 

‘Homes aren’t minimalist showrooms, they should reflect personality, memories and warmth,’ she said. 

‘The key is curated clutter by keeping meaningful pieces, but displaying or storing them intentionally.’

Going it alone 

Motivation is key for a big clearing and cleaning job, but Lucy said moral support will also keep your momentum up. 

‘Sometimes, we think we can handle it alone. Enlist a friend or family member for support and accountability,’ she said. 

‘It turns decluttering into a fun team effort!’

Spring clean prep buys to snap up now

These are the home bits and bobs to shop for this month that will not only make your upcoming spring clean a breeze but won’t break the bank. 

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