Before you start •  Stock up on cleaning supplies. Make a list of what needs to be cleaned: oven, bathroom, cupboards, floors etc and make sure you have a product that'll do the job. •  Place all your supplies in a bucket so that it can be easily carried from room to room. Ideally, have a few old rags, paper towels, newspapers and rubbish bags to fill as you go along. •  Dig out your oldest clothes and prepare to get them even more tattered. •  Turn on the answering machine so that you can't be distracted. •  Write a list. Under each room in the house, write what needs to be cleaned, packed away or repaired. Crossing off each job will give you lots of satisfaction! •  Open up the window! This will help freshen up the room and help remove loosened, airborne dust. Get started! •  Put your favourite music on. It'll help keep a 'spring in your step' as you tackle the task at hand. •  Throw away anything you don't use, or haven't worn in the last year. Make one pile for charity, one for recycling and one for the rubbish collection. •  Be ruthless. Dump that pile of magazines, don't just put them aside for later. All family photographs or other paraphernalia should be taken to its rightful place. When you get to that room, just put it away. Don't allow yourself to become distracted. •  Wear rubber or cotton gloves to protect your hands. Now tidy up •  Anything on counters, tabletops and bedside or makeup tables should be purely essential. Otherwise, put the objects away in storage jars, containers, or throw them away. •  Take the opportunity to hang up those pictures you always meant to get around to, or to change the furniture around, for a totally new look. •  When you take the bags of clothes to charity or the bottles to the recycling bin, stop off at the florists. Fresh flowers will help to create a new look for the room and bring a springtime air to the house. When you're finished, pour yourself a nice cup, or glass, of your favourite drink glass of wine and put your feet up for some well-deserved relaxation in your lovely, fresh-smelling, tidy home.