Get off your butt and get cleaning!

It's that time of year and while we may feel less than thrilled about the prospect of doing it, the after-effects of Spring cleaning are worth the effort. Not only do you have a shiny new home, but it also dramatically lifts the spirits. The big problem is getting started. We asked our friends on Facebook for their top tips and got some great ideas from them.

Rock 'n roll your way through it! Music seems to have the desired effect in getting lots of you going. And it's not surprising. There's loads of evidence from gym workouts  that people push themselves harder and achieve more when there's a throbbing beat to drive them forward. Everyone has their favourite musical recipes from Erasure to Bollywood, from country to techno - but there seems to be a common consensus that it has to be VERY LOUD!

Clock on and off. Some great tips here about setting some time parameters:

• Set yourself a manageable time chunk - like 30 minutes and challenge yourself to see how much you can get done in that time. This has the added benefit of encouraging yourself to do it more often - as you see how much you can accomplish in a short and relatively painless period of time.
• Set the timer and do 15 minutes a room - like the tip above - but even more frenetic and with the benefit of adding some variety.
• If you have kids, set them to work in the commercial breaks of their favourite TV programme - or they don't get to watch the rest. This lovely Macchiavellian tip was from Karen Grevatt - and seems a fantastic way of getting the kids to take all their junk upstairs, empty rubbish, tidy toys away etc. 

Use the power of shame! Inviting guests is a sure-fire way of encouraging yourself to get the place cleaned up. The imminent arrival of friends is a great incentive to get the mop and bucket out.

However you do it you're bound to feel better afterwards. Do you have any other motivational top tips? Leave a comment below.

For loads of advice on cleaning - including making your own natural cleaning products >> on our website

>> For some insights into the history of Spring cleaning

Thanks to Desiree, Sarah, Jules, Wendy, Sharon, Cherise, Jenny, Adele, Kathy, Jane, Skinny, Karen and Kate for your input.