ANN HOKE, Post Columnist
Posted: Sunday, March 21, 2010 12:00 am

We spent this past week at a banking conference in Orlando.

Unfortunately, it was cool, cloudy and windy for most of our trip.

We didn’t see the sun until Friday morning, but when it finally arrived, the warmth and smells had a way of saying “spring is in the air.”

So, the weather reminded me that the season is right for some tips on the annual rite known as “spring cleaning.”

If you’re looking for an exhaustive list of tips and ideas to help guide you down the spring cleaning path, you’ll find plenty of great ideas online.

In the meantime, allow me to offer a few ideas to jump start your spring chore list.

Take advantage of the mild, sunny days and begin with these five outdoors tips: 1. Take a walk around your home with pad and pencil, listing the seasonal maintenance items that need your attention.

2. Find a sunny day to scrape, prime and paint peeling or rusting spots on your trim, siding or railings.

3. Schedule a day to clean out the family garage and make room of your summer items.

4. Freshen your lawn by trimming away dead foliage and branches, plant new shrubs as needed and apply spring fertilization to plants and turf.

5. Inspect, clean and repair your outdoor furniture and furnishings.

On a cloudy day, focus indoors and get moving:

1. Prioritize your cleaning and maintenance needs. Be honest, look at your entire home – open every closet door and cabinet.

2. Pack away winter clothes and bring out your spring/summer wardrobe. Give away anything you haven’t worn in the past year.

3. Declutter your house and collect unused items for a garage sale or donation to charity.

4. Arrange for inspection and maintenance of your home’s cooling system – beat the summer rush and keep your utility expenses lower.

5. Choose a weekend for the entire family to help with the cleaning. Start upstairs and work your way down. Let your priority list keep everyone on task.

6. Consider having your carpets and upholstery professionally cleaned. Deep cleaning different types of fabrics yourself can be tricky and often time consuming.

7. Thoroughly deep clean your refrigerator and vacuum dust from the coils; and clean your stove and oven.

My best tip – work at a pace you can enjoy. Don’t expect to get it all done in a day or a weekend. Some of the items on your list will likely require professional assistance.
Enjoy it.
Take a break now and then and enjoy March Madness.

Ann Hoke leads the award-winning team at Ann Hoke & Associates (affiliated with Keller Williams Realty). For more information or comments, contact her at 397-4024 or ann@annhoke.com.