Spring is the season we naturally turn our attention to cleaning and updating our homes. Follow these effective and easy ideas to prepare your home (and yourself) for the always-busy spring and summer months ahead.

Spot-clean rugs and carpeting as stains occur, and deep clean once or twice a year. DIY with a rental or hire an expert.

Take down your draperies and launder or dry-clean them; dust off blinds and clean with a sponge. Freeing these areas of dust helps to refresh the air in your home so you can breathe easy.

Give your front door a fresh new look for spring. Replace your winter-ravaged doormat with a new one.

Fire safety includes doing a battery check every six months. A great way to remember this task is to do it when you reset clocks for daylight savings.

It's time again to clear gutters of leaves, twigs, and debris left in winter's wake. It's important to keep gutters clear so they won't clog and drive water under the house eaves and into your walls.

Go through files and shred unnecessary papers. Give your computer the once-over, sorting folders, deleting outdated files, and backing up important data onto an external drive.

Organize products such as stain removers, fabric-mending kits, and other loose items in boxes and bins. Pick up a new collapsible rack to save space when drying clothes.

Protect your upholstered furnishings from intense summer sun by covering them or moving the pieces out of direct natural light.

Inspect your air conditioning units. Remove and clean filters (or replace if disposable), and vacuum vents on window units. If you have central air, have a professional service it.

Once a month, remove mineral deposits by pouring equal parts white vinegar and water into your coffee maker's tank. With carafe in place, run the machine for half a cycle, switch off, let sit for an hour, then finish. Run several cycles of water to remove any aftertaste.

As the weather warms, insects return in search of food. Don't put out the welcome mat. Instead, make sure all dry goods are stored in airtight containers. Wash your pet's dishes as soon as they finish meals. Check seals on trash receptacles and wash all containers and bottles before recycling.

Most common types of siding (wooden, aluminum, and vinyl) should be sprayed down twice a year with a garden hose to remove grime.

Don't be stuck cleaning the day of your first cookout. Prep now and enjoy your deck or patio all summer long.

Restock supplies, discard old medicines, refill prescriptions, and replace any expired cosmetics.

Stock the bathroom with fresh, neutral linens and lightly scented soaps. Bring out a summer-weight quilt. Stock bottled water for in-room refreshment.

Clean out your closets, garage, and basement. Sort and price items you no longer need. Choose a weekend day and invite your neighbors to join in.

Have the air-conditioning, cooling system, tires, and brakes inspected before you hit the road. Add in a vacuum, wash, and wax.

Before Memorial Day, make sure gas units are firing evenly by clearing clogged burner holes with a sewing needle. Remove grime by spraying grates with a solution of equal parts distilled vinegar and water. Close lid, leave for an hour, then scrape gently with a putty knife.

Freshen up your rooms by removing unnecessary objects from tabletops and shelves, storing them. Replace them with a single arrangement of fresh flowers.

Good planning is essential to a successful vegetable garden. Vegetables have specific requirements, and you must choose your site carefully to ensure a bountiful harvest. Here are the basics you need to consider before you select your seeds.