While the skies are clearing up, and the sun is peeking through the clouds a little more, the dust and piles still linger in your home. It's time for that annual event that brings dread to most. But it doesn't have to be an event you hate! With a little help, and a few tips, spring cleaning can be a piece of cake!

Have a Plan

Like anything you do, having a plan and sticking to it is necessary for success. Take that approach with your spring cleaning. First, start with a checklist of ‘things to do’. CLICK HERE for a general list that will help you remember all the corners and crevices to clear the dust and cobwebs from.

Need more helpful hints on cleaning? Check out the Spring Cleaning Guide from iVillage.com.

Control Clutter

You can eliminate the piles and ‘stuff’ lying around your home, by simply tossing what you don’t need. Start small, then work your way up to the bigger projects, like your garage and shed. Start with your bedroom and clear the clutter from your dresser. Then, go through your closet and eliminate what you don’t wear. From there, clear away unwanted junk from secondary bedrooms and bathrooms. Clear out unwanted canned goods or boxed products from your pantry, and donate them to a local food bank. These are small steps that can help you get rid of the clutter around you and provide order and organization in your living space.

Need more tips to help rid your home of clutter? CLICK HERE to take control of clutter with a little help from Good Housekeeping.

Get Organized

Getting organized doesn’t have to be the painful process you might think it can be. Beginning to control the clutter is the first step to getting organized, so start there. Once you’ve gotten rid of the piles and unwanted items around the house, start to organize your space with small things. Add file cabinets for important documents. Get a bookshelf for books, photo albums, CDs and DVDs. Toss what you don’t want to keep and donate to a local thrift shop. These small changes don’t have to take a lot of time, but will surely save you time as you and your family approach the summer months.

Still stumped on getting organized? CLICK HERE to view 75 Storage Ideas: A Room-by-Room Guide.