Spring-cleaning is a time to work on the nit-picky stuff that accumulates over the winter. For many people, this is a nesting process. They want to get everything bright and clean again. The weather change seems to give us a newfound energy.

The first thing that you need to when you decide to spring-clean is to make a list. Write down the most important things that you want to get done. Then break those things down into smaller lists. Don't forget the little things that are often overlooked.

Be a dust buster. Get rid of all the ugly winter dust that has piled up. This can be a time consuming job if you have many small things. Take this time to also clean your pictures and other items that are sitting around. There are many great dusting products such as mops and feather dusters. Choose one that will help make your life easier.

Think about the lights that brighten your way. Clean your light fixtures. Remove the cover and wash them out. During the cold months, bugs may climb in fixtures and die. You also collect a lot of dust and other dirt. You will be amazed how much more light you will seem to have when things are cleaner. Take the duster to lampshades and lamps, also.

You don't live in a haunted house, knock down the cobwebs. While you are at it, wipe down the walls. Smokers, especially, stain up the walls and don't even realize it. Clean the baseboards and in the corners.

Let your windows be your clean view to the world. Thoroughly clean your windows inside and out. Take down your curtains and wash them. Clean your blinds with bleach water. Make everything new again. Then, open the windows and let the sunshine in.

Wash up all linens and spare blankets. Strip the beds in each room and spray the mattresses with fabric refresher or Lysol. Let them air out. You may even want to rotate them when you put them back on the bed.

Clean the floors well. Shake out rugs, and clean carpeting. Sweep and mop bare floors. Make things clean enough that you can eat off of them, or slide across them barefoot in your socks.

Do not be discouraged if you do not get everything done as quick as you thought you would. It often seems things get messier before they get clean. Take your time and put things the way you want them. Pay attention to the smallest details, they matter too. If it helps set aside a certain day to do each task and focus on that specific chore until it is complete. Once you have cleaned everything good, maintain it. Try to make it a habit to follow up on things on a weekly basis so that it doesn't pile up again.

Learn more about this author, Laura Leigh Fields.
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