Spring is such an upbeat, energetic season; it's time to stop viewing spring cleaning as a "chore." Spring cleaning can be a great way to make a fresh start - for a physically and emotionally healthier home.

There are plenty of positives to spring cleaning, including the mental benefits of reducing clutter and the health benefits of minimizing dirt, dust and allergens in your home, according to Betsy Poczkalski, home economist for LG Electronics USA. Most of us, however, can still recognize the negative side of the process - spring cleaning can be hard work.

This year, why not try some tips and technologies that can help minimize the labor while maximizing the benefits of your spring cleaning campaign?

Clearing the air

Who wants to face spring with winter's stale, stagnant air still trapped in their house? Think about all the allergens that will be creeping in through open windows and doors along with the warm air and sunshine. It's important to get the air in your home as clean as possible before spring arrives.

Poczkalski suggests calling in the experts and having your home's HVAC system thoroughly serviced and cleaned, including the ducts, before hot weather forces you to turn on the air conditioner. Replace air flow filters throughout your house, even those in your furnace - although you won't be using it to heat your house during warm weather, the furnace is still an integral part of the overall system and helps circulate air.

Down and dirty

Dust, dirt, pet dander, pollen - common household allergens - make spring cleaning a must for many allergy sufferers. If you've been relying on a regular, old-fashioned vacuum to suck up dust, it may be time to look at the latest technology that's designed to help make the process much easier, Poczkalski says.

"New vacuum cleaners are designed to actually reduce allergens in your home, while maximizing performance and minimizing labor," she says. For example, LG Kompressor technology compresses dust into compact, easy-to-manage clumps that help make disposal more convenient. A larger collection bin and the world's first motorized compression system allow you to clean up more while emptying the bin less. A HEPA filter captures 99.97 percent of allergens such as dust mites and animal dander. Visit www.lgusa.com to learn more.

Allergy experts recommend looking for a vacuum that's certified "asthma and allergy friendly" by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Lighten the load - of laundry, that is

Spring means you'll likely be switching wardrobes, and all those warm slacks and sweaters will need to be washed before you store them. And last year's sundresses and shorts could stand some freshening too. New laundry technologies make changing wardrobes less expensive and more energy efficient.

"Today's clothes washers are much more energy efficient than older models and manufacturers are introducing new features, like LG's six-motion technology, that clean clothes while using less water and energy," explains Poczkalski. With this new technology, a cold wash option uses cold water to penetrate deep into fabrics, providing the same washing performance as washing in warm water, while using up to 51 percent less energy.

"Spring cleaning can be as much a source of enjoyment as the season itself," the home economist concludes, "especially when you turn to modern technologies to make the tasks easier than ever."

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