Spring Cleaning: Tips to save Time and Money

Spring - a time for new beginnings - is just around the corner. It's time to air out the winter blahs and let the sun shine in. But there's no need to knock ourselves out or over-spend on cleaning supplies. The home editors at Good Housekeeping magazine offer tips on cleaning every corner of your home without exhausting yourself or your wallet:

One simple solution: No need to spend money on specialized cleaning products. Fill an empty spray bottle with a quart of warm water mixed with four tablespoons of baking soda, and use it for most surfaces, including windows, counters, tile, and appliances.

Toothpaste trick - If your kids are a little too creative, a dab of toothpaste will remove colored marker stains from wooden tables.

Wipe out wall doodles - A good sprinkling of baking soda on a damp sponge should wipe your walls clean of 'artwork.'

Funky cutting board? - Rub the cut side of a lemon over it to remove old stains and odors.

Wake up patio furniture - Add a squirt of dish soap to a bowl of warm water. Wipe down surfaces and hose them off with plain water.

Soften scratchy towels - Get rid of mineral build-up by washing scratchy towels in the hottest water possible with nothing but a cup of ammonia added.

Easy copper cleanup - A little ketchup - yes, ketchup! - will get those copper-bottomed pots and pans shining.

Dishwasher duty - Once every few weeks, especially while flu season hangs around, get rid of bacteria by adding a quarter cup of bleach to the regular dish cycle .

Disinfect the disposal - Run a few lemon peels, a little salt, and a few ice cubes through it to sanitize and banish odors.

Don't forget the sponge - Keep that wet sponge clean and bacteria-free by zapping it in the microwave for one minute.