The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and you don't want to be stuck in the house doing Spring Cleaning. Professional Organizer Lisa Lelas has some tips to help you get a jump start on your Spring Cleaning.

Information provided by Lisa:

TV Organizing Segment-March 2008

With Professional Organizer, Lisa Lelas of Life Styling, of Guilford

www.LifestylingwithLisa.com

Organizing Spring Cleaning! Don't wait until all the flowers are in bloom. Get a jump on spring cleaning now so that when the nice spring weather arrives, you'll have more time to get out and enjoy it!

" Begin with an organizational plan to get your home thoroughly clean. Such as a one room a week system to concentrate on over the next 6 weeks or so. Under each room, list those things that require your attention. There will be several items on your list that don't need to wait until spring to be accomplished. Highlight those items that you can do NOW, over these last few weeks of winter.

" Things like washing the windows, putting screens back up on your windows and laundering all the throw rugs to hang out to dry might not be applicable until the weather warms up, however you could start by washing the inside windows and window sills now and doing the outside windows another time. You will have saved yourself half the time of your annual window wash down! If some of your throw rugs can fit into your dryer, consider getting a jump on laundering just those for now.

" By popular request, each year, I will share my favorite best recipe for sparkling clean windows: 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup ammonia, 2 tablespoons corn starch, 1 gallon warm water and roll of cheap paper towels (they have less lint).

" Now is a time you could flip over all the bedroom mattresses (best if you can do this every season...or at least twice a year).

" Shop the bulk warehouse stores and stock up now with all your cleaning supplies. Buying two of everything makes sense if you have a two story home. Keep a fully stocked cleaning bucket upstairs and a second one downstairs...you might even consider keeping a third one out in the garage.

" Assign different colored wash clothes/sponges for different jobs to prevent cross contamination, such as yellow is for dishes, the blue sponge for the kitchen floor, pink for countertops, etc. Throw them into the dishwasher regularly to keep them clean.

" While it's not advised to put out new door mats before the weather gets warm, it's a great time to shop for them now...while selections are at their best. Purchase a new door mat for all entrances to your home every spring! 80% of dirt tracked into your home can be blocked with new door mats!

" Sprinkle baking soda or scented carpet powder onto carpets the night before you begin your spring cleaning. By the time you vacuum that room the next day, the room will really smell great!

" Drop 2 Alka Seltzer tablets into your toilet bowl for easy cleaning. Wait 20 minutes and scrub.

" Spray some all purpose cleaner onto the bottoms of fluffy white gym socks and wear them around any wood floors in your house...wiping as you walk. This is a great way to clean baseboards as well, pointing your toe and wiping along the top and edges of the wood trim.

" Tips provided by Lisa Lelas, professional organizer, author & speaker. Owner of Life Styling, of Guilford, CT. She can be reached by visiting www.LifestylingwithLisa.com or emailing LifestyleLisa@aol.com