7 Tips and Tricks for Making Spring Cleaning a Breeze

Spring cleaning comes once a year, but if you do it well, maintenance and housekeeping chores during the rest of the year will be much easier. Plan for success with these helpful tips and tricks.

1. Clutter, Be Gone

It's impossible to clean effectively if you're digging through layers of clutter. Get three large boxes or trash bags and mark them "Trash," "Sell/Donate" and "Put Away." Use them to organize the contents of each room.

2. Be Prepared

Cleaning will take twice as long if you have to keep stopping to get the right tools. Here's a list of items you should have on hand:

• Vacuum and attachments
• Dry mop
• All-purpose cleaner
• Microfiber cloths
• Sponges
• Bathroom cleaner
• Rubber gloves

If you want to be really efficient, use a shower caddy or other carrier to hold your supplies.

3. Take Small Steps

Like any big job, spring cleaning can be too overwhelming if you try to do everything at once. Take one room at a time, starting with the most time-consuming one so you can get it out of the way.

4. Rotate Linens and Clothes

This is a perfect time to pack winter clothes away and get your summer wardrobe out. If you use flannel sheets or other cold-weather linens, change those too. While you're at it, your mattress will last longer if you flip it over at least once a year.

5. Reuse Dryer Sheets

Unfortunately, there's currently no way to recycle dryer sheets, but they can go a lot further than you knew. Used dryer sheets make great dust cloths for cleaning blinds, TV and computer screens, and wood furniture. You can even use them to clear pet hair and lint from upholstery.

6. Organize Drawers

Everyone has a junk drawer, but it's all too easy for other drawers to end up cluttered and messy as well. Shoe boxes, egg crates and ice cube trays make great organizers for underwear, socks, scarves, jewelry and other items.

7. Don't Forget ...

Make a point to check places that often get overlooked:

• Ceiling fans
  
• Baseboards
• Dishwasher and coffeemaker
• Light switches, handles and doorknobs
• Pillows
• Light fixtures and lampshades

Have a clever time-saving or eco-friendly cleaning tip to share? Tell us in the comments!