In the kitchen, self-clean the oven before the house gets too hot. Clear out your refrigerator and freezer to make room for spring. "If your freezer is still stocked with winter's soups and stews, now's a good time to plan to eat up those meals because you won't want to be eating that kind of hearty food as the weather warms," Roberts said.

And try a little citrus. "If your microwave has all kinds of gunk burnt on to the sides, cut a lemon in half, drop it into a microwave-safe bowl filled with water, and nuke it for a few minutes," said Sharon Franke, kitchen appliances director, Good Housekeeping. "The water and the steam will help soften the stains and the lemon will give it a really nice fragrance. Take the other half and grate it in your garbage disposal. It will help to give it a nice smell as well."

Another tip to freshen up your home is to give your plastic garbage cans a quick hosing out. Turn them upside down to dry, and when you bring them back in, sprinkle the bottom with baking soda to keep them odor-free.

Finally, Good Housekeeping says another way to get your home ready for spring is to wash the mattress pad, pillow coverings and pillows from everyone's beds. All types of pillows can go into the washing machine except foam pillows.

To learn more, check out the April issue of Good Housekeeping or visit www.goodhousekeeping.com.