The 5 Best Ways to Get a Spring Fresh Home (Enter to Win a BISSELL Upright Carpet Cleaner!)

BISSELL is sponsoring today's post on spring cleaning. I love my BISSELL Upright cleaner, so these opinions are definitely my own!

"Fresh" isn't the word that comes to mind when you ask me about my house. With so many boys, pets, and activities in the home, I struggle with creating a sense of freshness, even after a hard day of cleaning.  It seems that no amount of scrubbing or sparkle will make up for that farm "ambience" that just seems to linger in our rural ranch-style home.

It took a few years of experimenting to come up with the perfect balance of "clean" and "fresh", and these five strategies are really the best way to get the look of clean while maintaining an environment you'd really want to invite people over to...




1. Air out your home. I don't care how cold it is outside.  Crack a window, run some air purifying fans, and let the breeze blow!  Most of today's homes are energy-efficient, meaning they trap stale air inside the home for days and even months!  Recycle that stale "lived in" air with fresh stuff from the outdoors.  Once a week at a minimum, please.

2. Photosynthesize.  I'm a plant killer. My husband has a green thumb.  Even though I find plants to be just one more thing to care for, I love how they look, and they really do a great job of adding oxygen to the air.  Just having a few plants in your home can help you breathe better!

3. Get your carpets some love.  If you have carpet in your home, I feel for you.  It's great for keeping your toes warm in the winter, and babies love to roll around on the softness -- but only if it's clean.  To keep your carpet looking AND smelling fresh, it's pretty much a necessity to invest in a good product that is designed for professional-strength cleaning with an extra boost of freshness.  We have fallen in love with the BISSELL Professional Deep Cleaning with Febreze® Formula to use in our BISSELL Upright Deep Cleaning Machine.  Not only does it extract all the gross that hides in my carpet, it leaves behind Febreze freshness and protects my carpet from future damage from pets and kids with its Scotchguard formula.









4. Declutter. I've read all the blog tutorials on how to "downsize", "simplify", and "minimize." The fact is, even if you don't care how clutter looks in your home, it's really hard to clean around.  We have started requiring that the kids declutter one surface a day, and that we move forward on one "clutter zone" a week.  It's hard to enforce, but nothing feels better than a newly cleared area.

5. Replace lighting.  Are you bulbs a bit dim these days?  Give the look of fresh with a bulb update.  If you have just one bulb where there should be two, get out that step ladder and go to work!  You may find that you need to replace your entire light fixture with something more modern or brilliant.  Now's the time!


If I know that company is coming over, and I'm not very confident with how my home feels, I'll go outside for about 10 minutes, and come back in.  It's amazing what I smell and notice upon leaving for a bit.  I usually find that -- if I only have time for ONE task before my guests arrive -- doing a quick job on the carpets helps quite a bit.  If my carpet won't dry in time for the guests, I'll do a spot clean with the wand attachment on my BISSELL Upright Deep Cleaning Machine.  It takes care of the worst spots, puts off a pleasant odor, and keeps me unashamed of my beige floors.


(Plus, the kids really love playing on clean carpet!)

What ways do you use to freshen your home?  BISSELL has additional tips to help you get in shape for spring... (simply click on the graphic below to enlarge). Then see a quick video of how their technology can really help you get the dirt out!




Wanna Win? BISSELL is offering two product bundles (including a BISSELL Deep Clean Lift-Off (valued at $259.99) and BISSELL Professional Deep Cleaning with Febreze® Formula (valued at $21.99) to lucky winners (across all blogs). Winners will be chosen at random. Simply visit BISSELL's website and then comment on this post with your favourite spring cleaning tips. BISSELL will review all the comments and pick two winners across all the communities to receive product bundles! You have until April 30th, 2015 to enter. Make sure to leave an email so we can reach you if you win!

 

Comments

  1. I love to open up the house & diffuse fresh smelling oils while doing my spring cleaning !

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  2. The first thing I like to do when the weather is warm is take down all of the curtains and wash them. Then I clean the windows and blinds, and open the clean windows to let in the sunshine and fresh air!

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  3. I take a day to clean one room at a time for spring cleaning.

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  4. I like to make sure we donate old items and clothes as we clean.

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  5. Go through your things!!! De-clutter!!! I go through our closets during spring time - we get rid of so much stuff !!!

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  6. We like to get the kids involved and make it a fun event. We usually turn on music and have "cleaning competitions" so it doesn't seem like such a chore. Brittney House BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com

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  7. I learned at my Mother's knee ... she would clean the windows in and out; change out the curtains from winter to summer ones; then go on to change out the linens then start spring cleaning room by room....the big difference between Mom and I is that I'm not the sewer my is and don't have summer and winter to chance out, I just take down and wash.

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  8. Visited Bissel site! Favorite spring cleaning tip is to do as much as you can during the wintertime so you are free to get outside in the spring!

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  9. Visited the site. My tip is to clean one room at a time so you don't get overwhelmed.

    kport207 at gmail dot com

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  10. When I moved into my home two years ago, I did not have children which meant that I did not have to worry about carpet stains. Fast forward two years and now I have a one year old who is learning to drink and eat on his own, which means carpet stains. My entire house has carpet. Where I did not have to worry about stains before, I do now. I'd love to try out the products. My favorite tip is to simply open a window and let fresh air in. I love it in the springtime!

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  11. Rubbing a teaspoon of lemon oil on glass shower doors twice a month causes water to bead up and roll off. Or, try Rain-X Original Glass Treatment, a car-care product made to keep rainwater off your windshield. Use it twice a year.

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  12. Walls: Use a solvent-free degreaser to get rid of grease stains, food splatters, and fingerprints (test the product in a small area to make sure it won’t damage your walls).

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  13. We go through all of our clothes and what we haven't worn or does not fit anymore we donate. It frees up a lot of closet space. Also have a stubborn sticky stain or gunk in kitchen get a wet paper towel or wet wash rag heat in microwave for about 10-12 seconds it gets really hot and loosens up dirt and sticky gunk without having to use harmful cleaners.

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  14. My best cleaning tip is take one room at a time and crank up the music, if you are dancing and singing along, you will hardly notice how hard you are working :)

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  15. I like to turn on music as well, and do room by room.
    sunniewoodyplus2 atmsn.com

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  16. I like to enlist the kids to help. Put one of those cuties on the counter to wipe the top cabinets and you have a sparkling kitchen and an excited kid. I also like putting vinegar in the microwave to clean and freshen it. Vinegar to freshen? Who knew?! thepettysbcataoldotcom

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  17. Spring cleaning is pretty tough--take it one room at a time!

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  18. I like to break up the cleaning into smaller tasks and get at least one done every day.

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  19. Hi, I start my household cleaning right after
    the Christmas decorations come down. Dusting,
    sweeping etc., but then when April hits, that
    is when I get down and dirty! Inside air can
    be much more polluted, than outside air! Windows
    are done, inside and out, furniture is thoroughly
    cleaned and carpets ( rental machine )... We
    have a Beagle and our son had to move back
    home for sad personal reasons, and he has
    two Huskies!!!!! Winning a Bissell with the
    Pet Cleaner would be perfect for this family!
    Also, with our son moving back in, it has forced
    us to decluttering, in a positive way. The Goodwill
    Store loves us. I hope... Thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes@hotmail.com

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  20. My best tip is set a timer for 15/20 minutes for each room or space you do. I find it amazing how much I can get done this way.

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  21. My favorite spring cleaning tip is to vacuum your mattress and then use Bissell products to deep clean the mattress. People don't realize how dirty a matress gets during the year.Vacuuming isn't enough.

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  22. Once springtime hits I pull out all my blackened cookie sheets and make a paste with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. I'll sit in the middle of my living room until my hands give out and scrub and scrub. They end up looking totally brand new, it's amazing!!

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    1. I'm not sure how comments work so here's my e-mail just in case. angelica.seely(at sign)gmail(dot)com. (I gave it wonky so spam bots don't scoop it up. Thanks for the awesome giveaway opportunity lille punkin and Bissel!

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  23. My spring cleaning tipis to start in the closet and make a big pile for Goodwill

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  24. I visited their site and I would love to get their pet hair remover tools. My spring cleaning tips are to donate old clothes and household items to local charities. I also like to clean the carpets, furniture and all windows oh and the fireplace too.
    heather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com

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  25. Throw out/donate no longer used items and organize items you keep.

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  26. My favorite spring cleaning tips: Go around the house, making a list of everything you want to get done. Then work off your list until you're finished. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  27. I like the tip about cleaning one room at a time. I've done it that way many times.

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  28. I clean with essential oils and with a vinegar water solution. That helps with spring cleaning.

    dlatany at gmail dot com

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  29. I like the 2X Deep Clean and protect formula.

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  30. If it's constantly in the way, get rid of it! This excludes husbands and kids, lol!

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  31. I vacuum daily as I do Family childcare in my home. Susan steveac@bellsouth.net

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  32. We clean the carpets, wash the windows and open them up.

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  33. I like the reminder to remove light fixtures and wash them carefully with soap and water. Who ever remembers to wash their light fixtures? I bet it makes the room instantly sparkle and shine!

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  34. I like to make sure we donate old items we dont use anymore

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  35. When the weather is warm I open up doors and windows to let fresh air in. I also purge stuff that I don't use to Goodwill. websurfergirl19 AT hotmail DOT com

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  36. i wash the carpet each fall and each spring i wash the curtains twice a year ccntx@live.com

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  37. My favorite tip is to drop in a cut-up lemon, some salt and a few ice cubes into the garbage disposal. The lemon deodorizes, and the ice and salt clean away residue.

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  38. tip is to get everyone to help clean, so makes it go faster

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  40. My spring cleaning tip is to open the windows and get some fresh air.
    mutterbumser[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  41. My spring cleaning is to tackle one room at a time. If you do this and then spot check nightly, it will not be as bad.

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  42. Cleaning carpets and upholstry is one of the major things I tackle during spring cleaning. My tip is to always open the windows to help quicken the drying. It also helps air the space out inspiring me to get it done.

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  43. Tackle one room at a time because cleaning often creates messes before you are done, so it is less overwhelming if you do one room at a time!

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  44. my tip is to keep a checklist because seeing what you have accomplished is motivating to keep working- heavensent1988 at yahoo dot com

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  45. I think spring is the perfect time to clean curtains, blinds, and windows. Nothing like opening the windows to get rid of all the stale winter air.

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  46. Steam is an all-natural cleaner, sanitizing surfaces without the need for chemicals when used as directed. michael_weiss at hotmail dot com

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  47. De-clutter through-out the year, so when Spring finally comes, you can enjoy it :) sticagirl2@hotmail.com

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  48. I like to make sure I hit all those places you don't see. Get under, behind and around. skibmama23@gmail

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  49. Removing the stain for good is easy with a BISSELL enzyme-action product such as Pet Stain Pretreat for Carpet & Upholstery . With enzyme-action, enzymes get down into your stain so you don’t have to! Work the solution into the stain with a cloth or sponge using light strokes from the edges of the stain to the center – no rubbing required. When you reach the center of the stain, lightly pinch in an upward motion. Let the solution sit for 5 minutes.

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  50. NStrong3604@yahoo.com

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  51. Don't forget often overlooked areas while cleaning such as the globes on your lights and ceiling fans, ceiling fan blades and other areas that you don't normally look up at

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  52. My favorite spring cleaning tips are for the windows, BISSELL suggests using a solution of one part vinegar, one part water to wipe them down streak-free. This is super helpful to me since I'm always struggling with the windows!

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  53. Honeypie411 at yahoo dot com
    My favorite bissell spring cleaning tip is regarding the bed, to turn over mattresses to evenly distribute wear, wash pillows nod pillow cases, nd change to lighter bedding

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  54. My favorite Spring Cleaning Tip is Countertops and Sinks!
    You Use a glass cleaning formula to shine any metal fixtures. I love this tip, and Windex does wonders!!! lindsayhess84@yahoo.com

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  55. I move all the furniture and pick up all the things that were shoved under chairs and couches. Then I vacuum and steam clean the carpets and furniture, open the doors and get a nice smelling breeze circulating the house. daniluckygirl@gmail.com

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  56. Do a little bit of cleaning each day so that it doesn't pile up. Use a dryer sheet to clean the baseboards.

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  57. Kimberley C says, Declutter first and then clean!

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  58. I would use the Bissell Fur and Fuzz Multi Surface Brush to get at all that dog and cat hair hiding in my sofa's crevices. It would ensure a fresh spring cleaning.

    roblyn66 at yahoo dot com

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  59. my cleaning tip is start in one room and clean from the top to the bottom. thankyou, ken pohl19@comcast.net

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  60. My tip is to make a list of all your spring cleaning duties, then work at it a little at a time until it's all completed!

    andysavi.mom@gmail.com

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  61. Cleaning the carpet and furniture sure does help. Also, getting some fresh air in after being shut up all winter helps too.

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  62. My cleaning tip is to clean every week so when Spring cleaning comes around. I have to do the
    big jobs, cleaning carpets and furniture. I also clean out items and clothes and donate them to
    the No Kill Animal Shelter in Marion Indiana Resale shop ( all the money goes toward the shelter)
    I have my husband help with the outside, the windows and deck and the yard
    Cathy Truman
    kbtruman@att.net

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  63. Work one room at a time to avoid getting over whelmed with everything that needs to get done!

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  64. My spring cleaning tip is get the kids involved. They can go through their old clothes and toys to see what can be donated while you're cleaning elsewhere.

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  65. I make the kids go through their toys for things to get rid of. Surprisingly, it's me who wants to hang on to some of that junk!

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  66. I take down all of my curtains and blinds down and clean them then open all the windows. After deep cleaning every room, then I clean all the floors and shampoo the carpets!
    vikki.billings@yahoo.com

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  67. Keep it simple and go through one room at a time together as a family (if you have the extra hands) to attack it jointly.

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  68. vacuum your mattress - it removes dust and dead skin cells

    chromiumman (at) mail (dot) com

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  69. Use your mop to clean baseboards every time you mop the floors

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  70. My tip is to vacuum every day because it cuts down on dust and keeps your carpet from matting.

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  71. Two great tips that have never occurred to me: vacuum my mattress! Such an obvious thing that I don't think I've ever done. Also, for kitchen organization...store every other piece of stemware upside down. Duh! So much more room in crowded cabinets! Thanks for the ideas, Bissell!

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  72. take it one room at a time try to clear out 3-5 grocery size bags of clutter per room

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  73. My tip is to clean one room at a time so you don't get overwhelmed. Thanks. This would make a great companion with my Bissell vacuum

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  74. To freshen up my home in the spring, I wash the walls and windows as well as steam clean the carpets.

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  75. To freshen up my home in the spring, I wash the walls and windows as well as steam clean the carpets.

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  76. I make sure to clean the window treatments - the blinds, and take down any washable fabrics (drapes) for a fresh clean start for Spring

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  77. I like the tip for a permanent marker soiling.

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

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  78. There are some excellent cleaning tips - fresh air is a wonderful and healthy thing. With allergies there are peak seasons where the house is closed up just to minimize the pollen aspect. And I do like the declutter tip as that clutter collects dust and limits how well we clean

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  79. billmcsgirl@yahoo.com i forst open all windows to air out house then clean out all closets and drawers and donate to salvation army items i no longer need ,so things will be less clutter ,then pressure wash house and steam clean all carpets

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  80. Vera Wilson,

    In do windows and curtains first. Then tackle the harder parts.

    snoopysnop1 at yahoo dot com

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  81. I like to move all of the furniture out and thoroughly clean underneath everything. I take down all of the curtains and wash them too. dwelchert at yahoo dot com

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  82. My best cleaning tip is to throw or give away anything you haven't used in a year.
    s2s2 at cox dot net

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  83. I like to use old t-shirts to clean all of the dust in my home.

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  84. As I clean one room daily I also wipe down the walls and do each room each day through out the house..berrycherry63@hotmail.com.....I also like the 2x stain repellant ..

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  85. Not only take a room at a time but donate all gently used clothes, shoes, toys you no longer use. Dust the walls, fans, etc. replace AC filters, THEN Vacuum under the bed, in the closet, the rooms etc. If your vacuum has an attachment, you can vacuum the walls and corners where cobwebs stick.
    seyma_bennett@hotmail.com

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  86. During spring cleaning, I go through everything and see what can be donated,and what needs to be trashed.

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  87. My tip is dust from top to bottom.

    mslilyk@yandex.com

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  88. Spring cleaning, to me, is moving or rearranging the furniture to get underneath and behind things. My favorite tip is to divide tasks up into smaller ones to not get overwhelming.

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  89. I open windows to let a breeze blow into my home. I also spritz some Febreze on my dirty clothes hamper. My favorite tip is to divide tasks up into smaller ones to not get overwhelmed.

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  90. start cleaning before in the winter and clean one room at a time so as not to be overwhelmed. rick_aei@hotmail.com

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