It's time to climb out from under that mess! Yes, there's no hiding from; it's time for Spring cleaning.

And there has never been a better time. As buyers are coming out of recession hibernation, this is the time have your home shine.

One way to have your home shine, literally, is to let in the light. To do that, let's wash those windows and screens. Ideally, you should complete this task twice a year.

To get streak free windows, there is a great time saving option available. Use a high quality squeegee in horizontal strokes. (If you're a real expert, try making an "s" pattern.) These great little tools can help you clean in just a fraction of the time that it takes with other methods, such as paper towels and windex.

You can even use simple dishsoap in a bucket of water as your cleaning solution. After a couple strokes of the squeegee, be sure to wipe off the blade with a work rag. This will help to avoid streaking.

For tough stains, consider using a very fine steel wool. What about the window screens? You can scrub them down outside in your yard with a regular scrub brush and some soapy water. Rinse with a simple garden hose. If you don't have outdoor space to work in, you can always just give those screens a good old fashioned bath in your tub.

For sellers looking to add even more light, consider changing out your curtains during showings, using simple sheers instead of heavy drapes.

Inside your home, a great way to lighten up the appearance is touching up the walls. If you have kids or animals, you may have grubby hand and paw prints. This is exactly why you should always keep an extra gallon of paint whenever you makeover a room. Use it for years to come to cover stains, holes, and blemishes.

Our next cleaning tip can also have a positive effect on your health. Allergens live deep down in your carpet, and vacuuming may not be enough. There are steam cleaners for purchase at most home stores, or industrial ones for rent. Steam cleaners can deep clean away allergens and improve the appearance of your carpet.

Or contact your local professional. Ask, though, if your carpet cleaning professional has green cleaning options you can choose from.

And the final tip: Clean that fridge. Believe it or not, prospective buyers ... and sometimes just guests ... will have a look in your fridge. Remove everything and wash the shelves in a sink. Wipe down the inside of the fridge with your daily household cleaner. And then to retain the fresh smell, place an opened box of baking soda in the fridge.

Use these tips and you're on your way to a Spring clean home!

Published: April 20, 2010

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Carla Hill, M.A., works on the Realty Times staff as Managing Editor for our online publication. She also is Producer for the real estate news channel, seen daily on RealtyTimes.com and on video newsletters nationwide.