Broadcasting, Programming, List, Spring, Playlist

12 Songs to Get You in the Spring Cleaning Spirit

Spring has sprung! Or perhaps you're reading this just before March 20 has arrived. Whether you're currently behind or over the vernal equinox, you may be thinking about doing a heavy case of spring cleaning this year. Maybe your space got cluttered over the winter. Perhaps your mind needs the high a bright and shiny environment provides. Or maybe you just really love giving your home a makeover.

In any case, we've got you covered with these 12 songs tailor-made to get you in the spring cleaning spirit. Some of them have obvious lyrical choices that allude to domestic cleaning tools. Others are just really dang catchy – they're sure to keep you energized as you move from floors to windows to overfilled kitchen sink! All of them will make you bloom with glee like a blossoming flower.

Need the motivation to start your spring cleaning session? Listen to the first track on our list and let the rest guide you through!


1. "Taking Care of Business" - Bachman–Turner Overdrive

The perfect overture to get you into the spring cleaning mindset. "Taking Care of Business" is a song simply about the daily routine of working, living life, and making progress. And when you get your cleaning done, you'll be taking care of your business, too! Randy Bachman developed the song under the working title “White Collar Worker” while still a member of The Guess Who. However, upon driving to a gig in Vancouver, Bachman heard a local DJ’s catchphrase of “We’re takin' care of business.” During BTO’s last set of the night, Bachman decided to play “White Collar Worker,” and on a whim, inserted the repeated phrase into the chorus. We're glad he did.


2. "Washing Machine Heart" - Mitski

Got laundry sitting around that needs washing? Pack it up into your machine and blast this classic Mitski track from Be the Cowboy. The funky, heavy backbeat in this song seems to represent the clatter of a washing machine. The message in "Washing Machine Heart" – about putting on another persona to get someone's admiration or having to take someone's filth – is a bit manic and sad. But thankfully, the music is upbeat enough that you'll find it pleasing while tossing your dirty shoes into the wash.


3. "Hang Me Up to Dry" - Cold War Kids

Continuing the theme of a moody laundry session, we've also got this banger from the underrated indie rock band Cold War Kids. "Hang Me Up to Dry" is a head-bopping jam about a one-sided relationship. The action of hanging wet clothes on a clothesline is used as a metaphor for the dysfunctional relationship. If you're a Gossip Girl fan, you'll know this song was notably used in the pilot episode of the famous CW series. Get your clothes washed and dried, and you'll be looking better than Serena van der Woodsen!


4. "Another One Bites the Dust" - Queen

Okay, so maybe the video for Queen's "I Want to Break Free" is more on brand with the spring cleaning theme. Freddie Mercury dressed up as a tidy housewife will never not be iconic. But if you want to feel like he does when he's vacuuming the floor in the visual's opening, then perhaps "Another One Bites the Dust" is a better option. We can't help it – we always think of dust mites flying off a flat cabinet surface as Freddie sings, "and another one gone, and another one gone." This song is a feather duster's best friend. Plus this track is a disco hit, so you'll have no problem dancing while you're swiping and sweeping along!


5. "One Way or Another" - Blondie

We owe this song a place on our list due to its use in Swiffer commercials. If you're getting disheartened over trying to wipe up grime in hard-to-reach places, this song might encourage you to keep going. Don't quit! You'll getcha, getcha, getcha that mess, one way or another! We'd like to thank Debbie Harry's voice for all its pep and inspiration.


6. "Cleanin' Out My Closet" - Eminem

There's no way we were skipping out on this classic Slim Shady track. "Cleanin' Out My Closet" may be an unconventional one on the list, but if you've got an overpacked closet to clean – or trauma to heal like Eminem does – "Cleanin' Out My Closet" is the edgy hip-hop track you need to power through. You may even find yourself singing along to the heavy chorus. Just don't go digging graves in your yard during the April showers like Em does in the music video.


7. "Come Clean" - Hilary Duff

Speaking of April showers, we can't wait to "let the rain fall down" whenever we hear this Hilary Duff masterpiece! Ah, the nostalgia "Come Clean" gives us. Maybe Lizzie McGuire didn't achieve the level of pop music success as some of her other Disney Channel co-stars, but "Come Clean" was one of the few straight-up bops she left us. Hilary's vibe, her voice, and the super early 2000s production on this song will leave you feeling squeaky clean.


8. "Unwritten" - Natasha Bedingfield

And yet another song that works for spring cleaning that also mentions rain. This time feeling it on your skin, no less! That folksy acoustic riff, the glittery sound bits, and theme of "releasing your inhibitions" is what springtime is all about. "Unwritten" is a feel good radio favorite sure to leave you warm and fuzzy. All hail Natasha Bedingfield: queen of reminding us to live life to the fullest. Open up that dirty window – but maybe spritz it with some Windex, first!


9. "Car Wash" - Rose Royce

Chances are you've probably got some pollen or muck you need to spray off your car. You know what that means...it's time to blast "Car Wash" by Rose Royce! This groovy 1976 anthem will make you feel like you're straight out of the comedy flick of the same name. It will also humbly remind you that you might not ever get rich, but your life is better than digging a ditch. "Working at the car wash, yeah!"


10. "No Scrubs" - TLC

You'll be doing a lot of scrubbing during your spring cleaning journey. Which means you "don't want no scrubs" once you're done. Which means you should be playing "No Scrubs" by TLC! Okay, our silly logic aside, this iconic 90s R&B track has the ability to move anyone's soul like a mountain. You'll want to be listening to this once you feel yourself getting tired from tidying up. It's incredibly self-validating, and important to remember as you're cleaning up the physical – and personal – messes of life.


11. "I Can See Clearly Now" - Jimmy Cliff

When you're finally done with cleaning, "I Can See Clearly Now" by Jimmy Cliff may be the right choice to blare while you're admiring all your shiny windows and silverware. It also fits the theme of spring perfectly with that "bright sun-shining day" line. This is a happy tune that will remind you when life is drab and rainy, all you might have to do is stop and reflect in order to see the obstacles in your way. Cleanliness is not just a physical manifestation: it's also a mindset.


12. "Flowers" - Miley Cyrus

Finally, we end on this recent Miley Cyrus hit that seems to fit in with all sorts of playlists. But we're especially excited to place it on this list, given the "flowery" spring vibes it elicits and the theme of self-improvement. This is the right track to blast once your chores are over, and you're ready to embellish your space with finishing touches...like bouquets from the local florist! After that, you can frolic along with Miley and talk to yourself for hours. Remember: spring cleaning is a form of self-love!


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Article Image: A woman wearing headphones dances and sings into the handle of her Swiffer (as if it were a microphone) while mopping her kitchen. (deagreez1 via DepositPhotos.)

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About Kathryn Milewski

  • New Jersey