What tasks are spring cleaners itching to tackle? Windows, blinds and curtains, and clothing, closets and drawers are at the top of the list. Ceiling fans and carpets round out the top five. These are a few of the “dirty secrets” revealed in the 2013 Spring Cleaning Survey from the American Cleaning Institute (ACI).

Echo Research, on behalf of ACI, asked 1777 American adults whether they or someone in their household spring cleans every year. In the online survey, 72 percent said spring cleaning is an annual ritual. Eight percent say they spring clean every few years or less often, while five percent said every other year. Twelve percent say they never spring clean.
 
What rooms do spring cleaners prioritize for clean-up? Among those who do spring clean at one time or another (1,586 respondents), 76 percent target the bedroom, followed by the kitchen (73 percent), bathroom (69 percent) family room or den (61 percent) and the dining room (45 percent).
 
Sixty-nine percent of respondents who spring clean indicate that economic conditions have influenced their cleaning behaviors. The top two changes in cleaning behavior include buying less expensive cleaning products and cleaning more themselves rather than hiring a cleaning service.
 
ACI offers a few tips to help “maximize cleaning product purchases and stretch budget dollars.”
 
• Use the right amount of product: Read the label. There’s no need to overdo it, especially with more concentrated products available that pack more power into smaller doses.
 
• Consider multi-purpose products: They are many cleaning products available that effectively clean a variety of surfaces. Just make sure you read the label so you’re using the right product o the right surfaces.
 
• Fill-up on refillable products: Many bulk sizes are packaged with a corresponding smaller, refillable version of the product. If your choice doesn’t come that way – and/or you want to keep the cleaner in multiple locations – purchase a smaller size and refill the container as necessary. That way, no matter where you use the product, it’ll be properly labeled in case of an emergency.