- Chris Ware/Lexington Herald-Leader Visit the Photo Place

Tips for the top spring cleaning chores: Windows: "It's one of those jobs that has a terrible reputation when in fact it can be kind of fun," said Jeff Campbell, founder of The Clean Team, a California-based cleaning service. Vinegar makes a good window cleaner, he said. Use a squeegee to remove the excess. Walls: Wipe light switches, baseboards and trim. Move the furniture and scrub the baseboards with a damp cloth, suggested Ben Santiago of Ben & Mary's Cleaning Service. No chemicals are necessary, he said. Hardwood floors: Use a slightly damp rag to clean up spots, said Chrishelle Eugene, owner of Molly Maids for Stafford/Fredericksburg. Maintain floors by swiping a microfiber cloth over them every day, she suggested. Closets: Get three big boxes, Campbell said. Label them "Goodwill," "belongs elsewhere" and "needs mending." Sort clothes into the appropriate boxes. Ceilings: Get a duster with an extendable pole to remove dust bunnies from ceilings and ceiling fans, Eugene said. Whatever else is bugging you: Set an appointment with yourself to clean it, Campbell suggested, and keep it. Tips if you hire help: Find a good cleaner: Get recommendations from friends. Make sure the cleaning service is bonded and insured. Many cleaning services offer a free in-home consultation, so potential clients can explain what they'd like done. Make a list: Write down all the chores you'd like done, Campbell said, in order of importance. Budget the time: A one-time deep housecleaning can take a few hours, Eugene said. It might be awkward to be home during the cleaning. For peace of mind, make sure valuables are locked up, according to an article on wikihow .com. Pick up: Don't forget to do the "daily" cleaning--picking up toys and dirty clothes, sorting the mail, doing the dishes--beforehand.

Date published: 3/24/2008

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