Good Housekeeping's Spring Cleaning Survival Guide

March 7, 2008 — -- Spring is finally creeping closer, and along with better weather comes spring cleaning.

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute tested five innovative new products that it recommends to make cleaning easier, from catching those hard-to-reach dust bunnies to ironing the spring clothes that have been in storage all winter.

Good Grips Under Duster, $25

If the bare floors under your bed, sofa and bookcase rarely get cleaned because they're just too hard to reach, the new Good Grips Under Duster from Oxo can help.

The Under Duster has a special joint in the handle that bends a full 90 degrees, allowing the mop to slip below furniture so you don't have to.

The included microfiber pad is machine washable and extra wide, but if you prefer a dry disposable cleaning cloth, you can attach one to the head.

Hope's Perfect Glass Cleaner, $6

Good Housekeeping tested six window cleaners -- one homemade solution, three pre-moistened wipes and four wiping tools: paper towel, newspaper, microfiber cloth and squeegee.

Based on results, Hope's Perfect Glass outperformed the other cleaners in the cleaning and streaking test. The cleaner took 11 strokes to clean the window, while the others required 17 to 70 strokes.

The microfiber cloth is the best tool for cleaning windows because the fabric is very fine so it's extremely absorbent, which minimizes streaking. There also isn't any lint with a microfiber cloth.

Faultless Iron Cleaner, $5

This product makes your iron as good as new, so the gunk that may have built up doesn't get on your clothes.

To clean the iron, turn it on and wait for it to get warm. Then apply a dab of the Faultless Iron Cleaner paste to the soleplate with an old towel. Wipe off the paste and iron a clean part of an old towel to make sure it all came off.

Satco Energy Saving Mini-Spiral Bulb, $3.49

During a time when we all want to lower our utility bills and are trying to conserve energy, compact fluorescent lamps are making a comeback.

When CFLs were originally introduced, people were dissatisfied with the price (more than $20), the size and the glaring fluorescent light they emitted.

Now CFL bulbs use an average of 65 percent to 75 percent less energy and last almost 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

Good Housekeeping tested 23 compact fluorescent lamps and its overall favorite is the Satco Energy Saving Mini Spiral. It's the only CFL bulb that beat out the incandescent bulb and has the same brightness as a 60-watt bulb.

Oneida Cupcake Carrier, $40

OK, this product isn't about cleaning, but doesn't everyone still love to snack in the spring?

Oneida Bake & Take cupcake carrier is a double-layer carrier with a plastic lid for transporting 24 frosted cupcakes.

It not only carries 24 cupcakes, but the bottom layer is also a baking pan for 12 of the cupcakes, and the cover protects the frosting so it doesn't get smushed.

Find out more at www.goodhousekeeping.com