Windows

• If you have blinds on your windows, tackle them first.  Whether they are wood  or plastic  simply close them and run a microfiber duster  over the surface to attract all dust and dirt.
• Put those vacuum cleaner attachments  to good use!  The round brush attachment  is great for removing soot from window screens  and the crevice tool is great for getting rid of dessicated insects from the window wells.  
• With nothing left on the window, give the panels a good washing with a gentle window cleaner . 

Curtains

• Use the crevice tool attachment  of your vacuum  to also remove any dirt and dust that may be trapped in the pleats of your curtains .  Make sure you have the suction on low so as not to harm your fabrics.
• Get your drapes dry-cleaned.  If this is a hassle for you, then you can also freshen them up by putting them in the dryer  on the air or fluff cycle and hanging them back up immediately.  

Floors

• Replace heavy rugs  and throws  with lightweight ones for the spring. 
• Vacuum and shampoo  your rugs and carpets, and polish  or wax  any hardwood floors. For lighter layers of dust and grit, you can try a Swiffer .

Furniture

• Clean out those wall units  full of VCR tapes and organize all of your home theater electronics .  Look for DVD shelving  to open up space and find baskets  for remote controls , etc.  The less clutter, the better. 
• Dust  and polish  any wood furniture, such as coffee tables ,desks , or TV stands .   Do the same to books and bookshelves . 
• Wipe down leather couches  and run a vacuum attachment  over any furniture to collect dust and unwanted pet hair that will be shedding.   You may also want to steam clean  any upholstery. 

Cooking and Washing Utilities

• Don't neglect your stove top range-hood filters .  De-grease them by soaking them in a sink of hot water and detergent .   
• Burnt-on splatters are a large problem.  Tackle them by removing cooktop grills and saturating the stains with an all-purpose cleaner .  Give it ten minutes and wipe it clean.   

Microwaves

• To soften up some of the crud that has accumulated inside, put a bowl of water and lemon juice into the microwave  for about one minute.  This loosens everything up and preps it for you to wipe the interior clean with a food surface sanitizer . 

Refrigerators and Freezers

• You will want to clear out the refrigerator  and then vacuum the refrigerator grill and coil.  
• Wipe down the interior refrigerator and freezer  with an all-purpose cleaner or food surface cleaner. 

Floors

• Most kitchens are made of linoleum or granite tile floors, collecting dirt, dust, and crumbs everyday.  Take a broom  to the floor first or use a Swiffer . 
• Once you have all of the crumbs up, scrub the grout with a scrub brush  and mop the floor clean. 

Toilets

• Though you'll want to avoid doing this task, there are ways to make it easier for you.  Invest in a toilet bowl cleaner  and a good brush .  
• To clean around the base, use a swivel head mop  with a detachable pole  to distance you from the grime. 
• Apply an all purpose cleaner to the exterior of the toilet.  If you neglect this step, there will be a nasty crud buildup that might scare off guests. 

Drains

• To unclog the sink  or tub , look for Drano  or make your own with baking soda  and vinegar .  The combination works to eliminate bacteria and loosen the drain. 
• If you have a really nasty clog, try a drain snake  to pull out hairballs or whatever other yucky stuff gets lodged in there.

Tiles and Grout

• To clean bathroom tiles  and grout, use a toothbrush  to scrub away mildew.  
• Another great tool for getting into those hard nooks and crannies is the magic eraser pads .  
• You can also use an abrasive cleaner  and scouring pads  to eliminate all the grit and mildew on your shower walls.
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Cabinets and Closets

• Go through the medicine cabinet  and throw any expired medications, beauty products, and cosmetics into the garbage. 
• Organize your linen closet by folding towels  and keeping other toiletries in baskets . 
• If you are feeling really ambitious, redecorate the bathroom for spring with a new shower curtain  and liner . 

Bedding

• Throw your heavy winter blankets in the wash and replace them with lighter linens . 
• Change the sheets  and maybe even rearrange your bed for a total room makeover. 

Closets

• Reorganize your closet and give away your unwanted items.  If you haven't worn a piece of clothing in a year, you probably never will. 
• Put your winter clothing in a storage bin  and replace it with spring and summer clothing.  

Ceiling

• Dust  the cobwebs in the corners and the ceiling.  Don't forget about air vents! 
• Clean the light fixtures and ceiling fan  (if you have one).  Use a gentle cleanser like Murphy's Oil soap  mixed with water.      

Organization

•  Find ways to organize the shoes  laying all over the place, along with your pictures and anything else that you may have laying around your bedroom.  The idea is to remove the clutter!  

Hoover PowerBrush 300 Upright Carpet Cleaner 

This machine operates as a wet/dry vacuum and uses a bagless dirt collection system. It also comes with removable brushes and a squeegee for the utmost in cleaning convenience.

Dirt Devil Rechargeable Broom Vac 

This vacuum comes in various different colors to suit any style home. A simple on/off switch will sweep and vacuum up messes in no time at all.

Oreck PR2600 Hoky Wet/Dry Sweeper 

This sweeper is designed to clean both carpets and floors, making it the ultimate sanitizing machine. It is designed to hit low to the ground so it can get under hard-to-reach surfaces with ease.

Hoover Impulse Cordless Electric Power Mop 

This electric mop uses a rotating brush for deep scrubbing action when washing or drying floors. It is lightweight and has a folding handle for storage.

Dirt Devil Upright Rechargeable Bagless Broom Vacuum 

This rechargeable broom comes in different colors for variety and can pick up dirt and debris on all types of surfaces. Its bagless system allows you to easily empty out dirt after each cleaning.

All-Purpose Cleaner 

This might be the single most important cleaner you can have in your house.  You can grab an all-purpose cleaner for quick wipe downs on any surface.

Oven Cleaner 

Oven cleaners are specially formulated to cut through thick grease and grime.  Some have abrasives so you can scrub to a shine.  You can also leave these on for hours to break down tough globs of grit.

Window Cleaner 

Try a gel window cleaner  that doesn't drip and will give you a steak-free shine.

Wood Cleaner 

Using a specially formulated wood cleaner will not only make your floor squeaky clean, but renew the wood's original luster.  Use wood wax  or oil  on older wood floors to protect the finish.

Abrasive Cleaner 

An abrasive cleaner like Comet  or Ajax  is great for cleaning your toilet bowl, bathtub, and tile walls in your bathroom.

Paper Towels 

It's always good to have a roll of these around the house for spills and quick cleanups.

Sponges 

You cannot have too many sponges.  Try out some antibacterial sponges  for the ones you use repeatedly on the dishes.

Scouring Pads 

These pads are best used for cleaning gritty messes in the oven and on the range.

Broom  and Dustpan 

I prefer taking a shortcut and using a vacuum cleaner on floors, but this is probably much better for the finish.

Toilet Bowl Brush 

This tool is pretty much a requirement for cleaning your toilet bowl.  What else are you going to use?