Step 1: Plot Your Attack
List the rooms that need a spring cleaning, and prioritize them by the amount of use each room gets. If the kitchen is your most used room, start there.

Step 2: Block Out the Time
Whether you plan on attacking one room a day or running a multi-room cleaning marathon, be realistic... set aside the time you need to get the job done right - figure about 1-2 hours per room.

Step 3: Set the Mood
Got an audio book you've been dying to listen to, or music you never get to play because the stereo or mp3 player is always in use? Enjoyable distractions will make the time pass more quickly, and there will never be a more justified time to take over the entertainment center than now.

Step 4: Gear Up for Clean-Up
Here's a general checklist of items you may need. Obviously, in your bathroom and kitchen, you'll use different cleansers (and sponges!), but this list is a good place to start:

• Broom and mop
• Sponges/brushes
• Small bucket
• Dust mop and dust cloths
• Vacuum
• Mirror and window cleaner
• Gentle and all-purpose cleanser
• Spot remover for upholstery or carpets
• Step-ladder

Step 5: Clean Up Before the Clean Up
Spend the first 15 minutes giving the room a general cleaning. If you're starting in the kitchen, clear out the dirty dishes. In the bedroom, put the laundry away and make the beds.

Step 6: Take It From The Top
With each room, work your way down from the ceiling. Start by dusting the ceiling and corners of walls, and recessed light fixtures. This is also a good time to take inventory and make sure you're well stocked on indoor spotlights and floodlights for the recessed and track lighting fixtures in your home.

Now on to the walls.
Spot clean where necessary (particularly in the kitchen), take down any curtains and blinds to wash or have cleaned.

And the floor.
If you're working on the kitchen, we recommend Method® cleaning supplies for the floor cleaning and any appliances- they're great for the kitchen and the bathroom, andthey're non-toxic and all-natural.

Step 7: Clean Up... Now Clear Out!
Spring cleaning isn't just about scrubbing and vacuuming; it's about bringing some order into your home and life. Now's the perfect time to free yourself from the unnecessary clutter - expired food, old knickknacks taking up shelf space, the exercise contraption you ordered from that infomercial but never used.

How about the shoes and clothes in your closet? If you haven't worn something in the last year, box it up for a local charity - you know they'll put it to better use.

Step 8: Start Fresh
Now that your room has a fresh, clean feel, how about giving it a fresh, new look? Could you rearrange the furniture to make the living room look bigger?

How about some seasonal pastel towels to lighten up the bathroom? Maybe a new piece of artwork for the home office? Spring is about renewal, so give each room some new life!

Step 9: Weekly Project Nights
Got some pictures from the last few holidays printed, but still sitting in the package? How about those recipes you clipped from the paper and stashed in a drawer?

Designate one night a week this season to tackle one project at a time... maybe invite a friend or two to come over so you can all tackle these jobs together - you can trade frames, share recipes and laughs while crossing another spring cleaning item off your list!

Step 10: Reward Yourself!
You did it! You should be proud of yourself, but haven't you spent enough time inside the house? Go out to your favorite restaurant, see a movie, meet-up with friends! It's spring! Celebrate the new season in style. You earned it!