30 Days of Spring Cleaning Tips for a Sparkling Home

Don't overlook the convenience of this hardworking appliance. It can take on unusual things, like your glass light-fixture globes, plastic toys, toothbrush holders, and so much more. Just choose a gentle cycle and skip the heated dry.

Wait for an overcast day and start on the shady side of the house: Direct sun may dry the cleanser before you can wipe it off, leaving streaks. And use vertical strokes on one side of a window and horizontal ones on the other — this way, when you spot a streak, you'll know which side it's on. As for dusting, wait for a sunny day, when particles will be easier to see.

You'll trap the most dirt by using two mats, one outside the door and one inside. But if they're dirty, they won't do the job: Hose off and air-dry mats, and vacuum indoor ones on both sides — vacuuming the back will push trapped dirt out onto the floor where it will be easier to pick up.

Day 4: Dust all your forgotten places.

Like your lamp shades and drapes! Put your dryer to work and toss drapes, curtains, and even throw pillows in the dryer for 15 minutes on the "air-only" cycle, then rehang immediately to prevent wrinkles. Another spot to tackle? Your lampshade. Speed up the process with a lint roller.

Day 6: Revive your mattress.

Spring cleaning is the perfect time to pay attention to the thing under the sheets. Press firmly with your vacuum's upholstery and crevice tools to clean the sides.Then, spot-clean stains with upholstery cleaner or mild suds. After spraying, let dry, then sanitize with a disinfectant spray like Lysol.

Sticky kitchen grime is a mix of dust and grease that's invisible until it builds up. Run the exhaust hood over your range every time you cook to keep grease from settling. To de-gunk, we like "cabinet cream." It cuts through dirt and leaves wood moisturized. Do an extra pass around door and drawer pulls and other places where grease collects.

Word to the wise: If the food from your plates doesn't make it out of your machine, it might start to smell (yuck). So remove food bits from around the filter (below the lower spray arm), then pop it out and rinse it thoroughly under hot water. Run a cycle with a machine cleaner — like Cascade Dishwasher Cleaner — about once a month to keep the appliance fresh.