Get squeaky clean before 'For Sale' sign goes up

If you are looking to sell your home, make sure to present it in its best condition - clean and clutter-free - during the busy sales season.

Pay particular attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. These areas have become increasingly important in realizing your home's full sales potential.

Follow these house cleaning tips from The Maids Home Services to get your home market-ready:

-Wash windows inside and out. Use a drop of liquid dish soap per 2 gallons of water and a good squeegee. Dry the window with crumpled newspaper. You'll get the best results if you wash windows on a cloudy, not sunny, day.

-Odors can get trapped in drapes and window treatments. If washable take them down and wash in water heated to at least 130 degrees. For blinds, fully tighten blinds before removing them from their brackets. Loosen and wash them in a bathtub of warm, soapy water and a cup of white vinegar. Rinse and lay flat on a towel outside to dry. If in a rush, vacuum blinds using vacuum's brush tool.

-Clean the stove and oven. If you have burner drip trays, replace them. These cost very little and really make the stove shine.

-Clean and dust all areas, paying particular attention where dirt and dust can accumulate - tops of ceiling fans, wall trim, door and window ledges, window sills and chair rails.

-Shampoo carpets, or hire a professional carpet cleaner. Vacuum high-traffic areas daily.

-Diminish evidence of having pets by moving items like food bowls and litter boxes to discreet places. Change litter boxes daily, and put down rubber placemats under food bowls for quick clean up of spills.

-Box up all nonessentials to eliminate clutter. Keep only the most-used toys.

-Clean showers, sinks and tubs, and wash all hard floors. To clean hard water spots and scum off of showers, use undiluted, heated white vinegar. Put it in a spray bottle, spray on and let soak 15 minutes before scrubbing. Tackle grout with a powerful cleaner if mold is present.

-Clean all light fixtures, and replace lights with higher wattage bulbs.

-After a squirt of window cleaner, buff any chrome fixtures and porcelain sinks with a dry cloth for a sparkling finish.