The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist: Don’t Forget the Trash!

May 19, 2025

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As winter fades and the days get longer in Colorado Springs, spring cleaning season arrives with it. For many households, this annual tradition is a chance to reset and restore order after months of being cooped up indoors. But while dusting baseboards and reorganizing closets often get top billing, one critical element of spring cleaning is frequently overlooked—managing the trash.

Whether you’re decluttering your home, tackling a yard clean-up, or organizing your garage, trash removal is at the heart of the entire process. Without a solid plan for managing waste and recycling, your spring cleaning efforts can quickly become a frustrating cycle of pile-ups and delays.

In this post, we’ll walk through the ultimate spring cleaning checklist—and show you how Infinite Disposal can help you streamline the waste and recycling side of things, so you can enjoy the benefits of a clean, organized home and yard without the hassle.

Why Spring Cleaning Matters

Before we dive into the checklist, let’s take a quick look at why spring cleaning is worth your time.

  1. It improves your mental health. Clutter is known to increase stress and anxiety. A clean space creates a sense of calm and control.
  2. It creates more usable space. When you clean and declutter, you gain back square footage—whether it’s your kitchen countertops, garage, or backyard shed.
  3. It keeps your home healthier. Dust, pet dander, mold, and allergens build up over the winter months. Spring cleaning helps you get ahead of seasonal allergies and respiratory irritants.
  4. It helps you reset routines. A clean home gives you the chance to reorganize your belongings and daily habits for a more productive season ahead.

Now let’s get into the step-by-step plan to make your spring cleaning as efficient as possible, including when and how to plan for trash removal and recycling.

Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring cleaning can feel overwhelming, so the key is to break it down into manageable chunks. This checklist is organized by space and includes waste disposal tips specific to each area.

Kitchen

Start where clutter tends to accumulate quickly: the kitchen. Old pantry items, expired food, and unused gadgets are prime candidates for the trash or recycling bin.

  • Empty out pantry shelves and check expiration dates
  • Wipe down shelves and containers
  • Clean the refrigerator and freezer
  • Toss mystery leftovers and expired condiments
  • Sanitize inside the microwave and oven
  • Wipe down cabinet doors and handles
  • Recycle plastic, glass, and cardboard packaging
  • Safely dispose of used cooking oil and batteries (never pour these down the drain or throw them in the trash)
  • Take stock of broken or unused kitchen appliances

For large amounts of cardboard, such as boxes from bulk shopping or appliance packaging, be sure to break them down and place them in your recycling bin. If you’re upgrading major appliances, contact Infinite Disposal to schedule a bulk item pickup.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms may be small, but they’re often home to a surprising amount of clutter.

  • Go through the medicine cabinet and safely dispose of expired medications (never flush them)
  • Toss nearly-empty bottles of shampoo, lotion, and other personal care items
  • Clean grout, tile, and shower doors
  • Replace old or mildewed shower curtains and bath mats
  • Discard broken hair dryers, razors, or other electronic grooming tools

For items like hair dryers or old electric toothbrushes, consider recycling through electronic waste programs, or reach out to Infinite Disposal for guidance on safe disposal.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are where spring cleaning can really help reduce stress and improve sleep quality.

  • Remove and wash all bedding, including mattress covers and pillow protectors
  • Donate or discard clothing you haven’t worn in the last year
  • Declutter nightstands and dresser tops
  • Vacuum under the bed and behind furniture
  • Reorganize drawers using bins or dividers

As you go through your closet, set aside clothes, shoes, or accessories for donation. Make a separate pile for anything damaged or stained beyond repair that can go straight to the trash. If you’re doing a major wardrobe overhaul, a roll-off dumpster can be a helpful solution.

Living Room

This high-traffic area needs a deep clean at least once a year.

  • Dust electronics, shelves, picture frames, and blinds
  • Clean ceiling fans and light fixtures
  • Vacuum and/or shampoo carpets and rugs
  • Wipe down walls, baseboards, and light switches
  • Purge old DVDs, books, toys, or games

Old electronics that no longer work or furniture that’s on its last legs may require special disposal. Schedule a pick-up or inquire about dumpster rental if you’re replacing multiple pieces.

Home Office

More people are working from home than ever before. A clutter-free workspace helps boost productivity.

  • Shred outdated paperwork
  • Toss old printer cartridges (check for recycling programs)
  • Recycle damaged or obsolete electronics
  • Clean your keyboard, mouse, and monitor
  • Reorganize desk drawers and file cabinets

Electronics and cords often pile up over time. Make a list of what can be donated, recycled, or thrown out. Infinite Disposal offers bulk item pickup for heavier e-waste, so you don’t have to haul it yourself.

Garage

This is the big one for many households in Colorado Springs—garages are often where everything that doesn’t have a home ends up.

  • Separate items into keep, donate, and trash piles
  • Sweep out cobwebs and dust
  • Clean oil stains or residue from the floor
  • Safely dispose of chemicals, paints, or old automotive fluids
  • Recycle flattened cardboard boxes and broken tools
  • Consider a dumpster rental for large-scale cleanouts

Hazardous materials should be disposed of properly. Do not put paint cans, propane tanks, or motor oil in your curbside trash. Infinite Disposal can provide guidance or refer you to a local drop-off location for these items.

Yard and Outdoor Areas

The Colorado Springs climate is tough on landscaping and outdoor furniture. Spring is a great time to refresh your outdoor space.

  • Rake up leaves and pine needles
  • Trim trees, shrubs, and dead plants
  • Clean outdoor furniture and power wash patios
  • Remove broken planters, pots, or garden décor
  • Repair or dispose of damaged hoses, sprinklers, or tools

Yard waste can fill up your trash bin fast. If you’re doing a large landscaping project, consider renting a roll-off dumpster to manage all the green waste at once.

When to Rent a Dumpster for Spring Cleaning

If you’re planning a serious deep clean—especially one that involves clearing out your garage, remodeling a room, or cleaning up a large yard—you may quickly realize your weekly trash bin isn’t going to cut it.

Here’s when a dumpster rental makes sense:

  • You’re getting rid of large furniture or appliances
  • You’re cleaning out multiple rooms at once
  • You have more than a few contractor bags of junk
  • You’re disposing of bulky yard debris or branches
  • You want everything gone in one haul instead of over several weeks

Infinite Disposal offers 10-yard, 15-yard, 20-yard, and 30-yard roll-off dumpsters. Delivery is fast, pricing is competitive, and our team helps ensure you choose the right size for your project. All you have to do is fill it up—we take care of the rest.

Don’t Forget the Recycling

Spring cleaning isn’t just about throwing things away. It’s a great time to rethink your recycling habits and keep more waste out of the landfill.

Common household items that can often be recycled:

  • Paper and cardboard
  • Aluminum cans
  • Plastic containers (check the number on the bottom)
  • Glass jars and bottles
  • Electronics (via special programs)
  • Batteries and lightbulbs (through drop-off sites)

Items that should never go in your curbside bin:

  • Plastic bags
  • Food-contaminated containers (like greasy pizza boxes)
  • Styrofoam
  • Clothing or textiles
  • Tanglers like hoses or cords

Infinite Disposal makes recycling easier for Colorado Springs residents and businesses with reliable, single-stream recycling pickup. We’ll help you stay in compliance with local guidelines while reducing your environmental impact.

How Infinite Disposal Supports Your Spring Cleaning Goals

At Infinite Disposal, we know how much work goes into getting your home or business cleaned, organized, and clutter-free. That’s why we offer flexible solutions designed to make the process easier for you.

Here’s how we can help:

Spring cleaning is already a big job. Let us handle the waste, so you can focus on reclaiming your space.

Final Tips for a Stress-Free Spring Clean

Before wrapping up, here are a few bonus tips to make your spring cleaning more efficient:

  • Set realistic goals for each day and don’t try to tackle everything at once
  • Keep cleaning supplies in a portable caddy to reduce back-and-forth
  • Label bags or boxes by destination (trash, donate, recycle)
  • Schedule trash pickups or dumpster rentals ahead of time to avoid delays
  • Involve your whole household to make cleaning go faster—and more fun

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you’re decluttering a single room or giving your entire home a fresh start, Infinite Disposal is here to help you handle the trash. We serve Colorado Springs and surrounding areas with dependable service, transparent pricing, and a commitment to our community.

Spring cleaning is your chance to reset, refresh, and reimagine your space. Make it count—and don’t forget the trash.

Contact Infinite Disposal today to schedule your spring trash pickup, recycling service, or dumpster rental.

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