Spring Cleaning GamePlan (NAPSA)—Asseasons change, the annual tradition of spring cleaning looms over the heads of homeowners everywhere. With the end-of-winter thaw, shining sun and longer days, it’s no wonder people seek a fresh start through an annualritual of home Maintenance tasks. However, spring cleaning can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Making a plan and utilizing all available resources can help makespring cleaning an easy and enjoyable project. For starters, get organized before you reach for the mop or broom. Create a list of everything that needs to be accomplished from the outside in. A quick walk around the outside of the house will uncover whether your lawn needs a chemical treatmentor if the gutters should be cleared. Then moveinside. Typical spring cleaning chores indoors might include cleaninglight fixtures and walls, shampooing carpets and rugs, dry cleaning the drapes, donating clothing that will not be worn again, or organizing your CDs, movies and photographs. Once you’ve taken inventory of the tasks to be accomplished in your household, determine which ones will require the help of an expert. Then spend a few minutes at your computer and visit an online Yellow Pages site, such as Switchboard.com, to find local businesses that can assist in the workload. Unlike the print Yellow Pages book, Switchboard allows you to narrow your search to include only those businesses that offer the specific products and services you are looking for. Switchboard has enhanced data for more than 2.8 million businesses across the U.S., and offers convenient features that allow you to plot businesses on a map andsortlistings by the distance from your homeoroffice. Once you've called in the pros, add some fun to the cleaning activities you are responsible for. Turn on some mood music, and create mini-goals and rewards for yourself. Enlist help from your kids or your close friends. Creating a little bit of competition not only makes the time go faster but motivates as well. And do not forget to eat. Make energy-boosting snacks to munch on to keep energy levels high. Use your outdoor chores to enjoy the warmer weather. Keep the garage door open while sweeping out the garage or washing the car. More sun also meansflowers are on their way, so makeclearing out garden beds of dried leaves and undergrowtha priority. Spring cleaning signifies an end to winter andthe beginning of warmer weather. Approaching it in an organized mannerwill help you kick off spring with a fresh start.
