The Ground Rules

• Dry-remove first: Vacuum or dust before you wet-clean. Wet dust is just mud.
• Top to bottom: Start with ceiling fans and the tops of cabinets; end with floors.
• Dwell time is your friend: Let the chemistry do the work. Spray, wait 60 seconds, then wipe.
• No plastic microfiber: Use repurposed cotton (old t-shirts), cotton rags, or compostable cellulose. Microfiber sheds microplastics into our waterways; we don't use it.

The kitchen is the most demanding room in the house. You’re dealing with "the film"—that combination of cooking grease and household dust that settles on every surface.

1. Ceilings, Vents, and Cabinet Tops

Start high. Use a duster or a dry cotton cloth to clear cobwebs and dust from the corners and the tops of your cabinets.

• The Proof: Grease from cooking acts as an adhesive for dust. If you don't clear the dry dust first, your wet cleaning will take twice as long.

2. Cabinet Fronts and Backsplashes

This is where you need Common Good All-Purpose Cleaner. Our formula is plant-based and biodegradable, designed to cut through grease without leaving a synthetic fragrance trail.

• The Method: Spray the cloth, not the surface, to avoid over-saturation. Wipe cabinet pulls and edges where hand oils accumulate.

• Why it works: We use safe chemistry that breaks down oils without the need for harsh solvents that can damage wood finishes or stone.

3. The Fridge and Pantry

Don't overthink this. Take one shelf at a time. Toss anything expired. Wipe the shelves with All-Purpose Cleaner. It’s safe for food-contact surfaces and won't leave a "chemical" smell that migrates into your leftovers.

Bathrooms require a different kind of performance. You’re fighting mineral deposits, soap scum, and organic buildup.

1. The Sink and Drain Reset

If your sink is slow, skip the caustic "clog removers" that eat your pipes and irritate your lungs. We’ve been recommending the baking soda and vinegar method for 15 years because it works as a mechanical "scrub" for the inside of your pipes.

• The Method: Pour a half-cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a half-cup of white vinegar.

• The Science: The immediate, fizzy "volcano" reaction creates carbon dioxide bubbles that physically agitate and loosen the "gunk" (fats and soap scum) clinging to the pipe walls.

• The Critical Step: After the fizzing stops, flush the drain with a full pot of boiling water. The heat melts the loosened fats and the pressure of the water carries the debris away.

2. The Shower and Tub

Conventional bathroom cleaners often rely on bleach or ammonia—substances that irritate the lungs, especially in small, poorly ventilated spaces.

• The Solution: Common Good Bathroom Cleaner. It’s specifically formulated to tackle soap scum and hard water stains using plant-derived ingredients.

• The Pro Tip: Spray the tub and tile, then let it sit for 5 minutes. This gives the formula time to break down the surface tension of the grime. Scrub with a stiff brush (or an old toothbrush for grout) and rinse.

3. Grout and Tile

If your grout is looking dull, use a paste of baking soda and water as a mild abrasive. Scrub it in, then spray with Bathroom Cleaner to finish the job.

• The Proof: Our Bathroom Cleaner is rated highly by the EWG, meaning you aren't breathing in toxins while you scrub.

We spend a third of our lives in bed. Spring is the time to handle the "invisible" buildup.

• The Mattress: Vacuum the entire surface using an upholstery attachment. Sprinkle with baking soda, let sit for 30 minutes, and vacuum again to deodorize.
• Pillows & Duvets: If they are machine washable, wash them on a warm cycle and dry thoroughly with wool dryer balls to restore loft.
• The Closet: Move everything. Vacuum the floor and wipe down the baseboards. This is where "closet smell" (dust + stagnant air) lives.

Closet Reset

Before you store your winter woolens, they must be clean.

• Moths aren't attracted to the wool itself; they are attracted to the skin oils, food spills, and perspiration left on the fibers.

• Hand wash knits and blankets.

• Store away with cedar or herbal sachets that repel moths and other pests and leave clothes smelling fresh next fall. 

Your office is a magnet for fine dust and skin oils. It’s often the most overlooked room in a spring clean.

• The Tech Wipe-Down: Dust your monitor, computer, and printer. Use a barely damp cotton cloth for screens (no window cleaner—it can damage coatings).
• Keyboard & Mouse: These are high-touch surfaces. Turn the keyboard upside down and tap out crumbs, then wipe keys with a cloth dampened with a 50/50 rubbing alcohol/water mix.
• Paper Purge: Shred what you don’t need. File the rest. Dust the tops of books and the insides of empty drawers.
• The Chair: Vacuum the upholstery. If it’s a hard surface, wipe the armrests and the "touch points" where you pull the chair in and out.

Most people over-apply glass cleaner, which is exactly what causes streaks.

1. Interior Glass and Mirrors

• Use a clean, dry, lint-free cotton cloth and Glass Cleaner.

• One or two sprays is all you need. Polish in a circular motion until dry. Our formula is designed to evaporate quickly without leaving a film.

2. Exterior Windows

If your windows are truly filthy from winter salt and dirt, don't waste your glass cleaner.

• Mix a few drops of Dish Soap in a bucket of warm water. Wash the glass with a rag to remove the heavy grit.

• The Finish: Once the window is dry, use Glass Cleaner to remove any remaining streaks.

Don't mop yourself into a corner. Save the floors for last.

• Hardwood: Use a 1:10 dilution of floor cleaner. Use a damp (not soaking) cotton mop. Dry immediately to prevent streaks.
• Tile: Use a 1:4 dilution. Scrub the grout lines if they’ve darkened over the winter.
• Area Rugs: Take them outside and beat them the old-fashioned way, or vacuum both sides thoroughly.
• To deodorize, sprinkle baking soda over the rug and rub in before vacuuming.

Every product you use in your home leaves a residue. When you use "Safe Chemistry"—plant-based surfactants and enzyme-powered formulas—you aren't leaving behind synthetic fragrances or harsh irritants that linger in your indoor air.

Spring cleaning is a reset for your home’s health, not just its appearance. Use tools that last (cotton, wood, glass) and formulas that work without the "marketing fluff."

• Kitchen: Dust high, wipe cabinets with All-Purpose, flush fridge shelves.

• Bathroom: Flush drains with baking soda/vinegar/boiling water, let Bathroom Cleaner sit for 5 mins on the tub.

• Living/Bedroom: Dust with cotton cloths, vacuum rugs with baking soda, wash winter linens with Laundry Detergent.

• Glass: Use Glass Cleaner sparingly with repurposed cotton for a streak-free finish.

• Floors: Vacuum first, then mop with a diluted All-Purpose solution.

Ready to start? Shop the Surface Collection.