Winter has finally ended and if you’re anything like me, you were in a cocoon for months. My house feels stale and I look forward to feeling fresh air as the spring breeze comes through my opened windows.

The winter seems to suck the energy out of me and when the warmth of spring announces itself, I get recharged and know it’s time to freshen up my home for spring.

Here are my “must-do make your home feel good” tasks:

1. Open every window- clean the windows and sills

2. All throw pillows are sprayed with a freshener and thrown in the dryer for 20 mins

3. Vacuum and spray all fabric furniture (couches, chairs)

4. Wipe down all the walls and ceilings (including fans)

5. Check all “use by” dates of canned and boxed goods in cabinets

6. Clean refrigerator (don’t forget to clean the seal- this is where mold wants to grow first)

7. Check all “use by” dates of condiments in frig

8. Clean all your light fixtures, pictures on walls, or anything else hanging

9. Clean and disinfect all door handles, phones, and remotes

10. Buy flowers and create bouquets to fill the house with the scent of spring

Freshen up You

Like I said above, we feel like we’ve been in a cocoon all winter so we need to freshen up too.

It’s time to make your appointments for a manicure, pedicure, waxing, and if possible a spa. This is a great time of year to think about getting a trim or makeover. Highlights are a great wait to add life to your hair and if you’re really pasty you may want to think about a spray tan.

Something we never think about is our bottom. Cottonelle has introduced the Cottonelle’s Name It and the Name Generator on Cottonelle Facebook Page.

The idea behind this campaign is to name the “Cottonelle Care Routine”. You use Cottonelle Ultra Comfort Care Toilet Paper but have you ever tried the Cottonelle Fresh Care Flushable Wipes? Ok so right about now you’re rolling your eyes because this isn’t a fun topic. Think about it, …. when we wash our hands, we use moisturizer. We use deodorant, we wax, primp, and sometimes even vajazzle so why wouldn’t we want to talk about or try a flushable wipe?

In Europe and other countries, a bidet is commonly used after using toilet paper but here in the US we cringe when talking about anything past ripping off 8 squares of soft toilet paper. Cottonelle is asking people to rethink their bathroom routines by inviting North Americans to try both products together to experience a clean so fresh that everyone will be inspired to name it.

You can win a year’s supply of Cottonelle Ultra Comfort Care and Cottonelle Fresh Care, by creating a name through The Customizer on Cottonelle Facebook Page between June 12, 2012, and February 28, 2013. Winners will be selected in a random drawing on a weekly basis.

See full terms and conditions on Cottonelle Brand’s Facebook Page or Cottonelle.com.

People can also participate by following @Cottonelle on Twitter for exclusive opportunities to win #NameIt prizes and check out the Book of Names on Cottonelle.com to see what others have named their routine and get fun bathroom trivia.

Do you have other house or personal tips to freshen up? Please share!!