If you’re a clean-freak, be considerate of co-workers

• “If you use products to clean your desk area at work, like Lysol or Windex, please be considerate of your co-workers and do this at the end of the day. I have a co-worker who is a real clean freak, and while I appreciate her need to clean up, I am very sensitive to the smells of these products. Since she normally starts her cleaning binges in the morning, I have a headache all day. I mentioned it to her, and now she does it at the end of the day. The smell is gone by the next morning, and we are both happy! — T.T.K. in Virginia

• “If you have a lot of little items to sort, such as change or different sizes of nails, screws or other hardware, try using a muffin pan. Each pan typically has six or eight cups, more if you use a mini-muffin pan. You can sort all of your items out and then find a place for them.” — T.S. in Texas

• “When I clean the bathroom, I always clean my mirror last, and then I use the paper towel with Windex on it to give the light switches and doorknobs a quick swipe before I toss it. Also, sometimes I run it across the towel bars and the toilet paper holder to remove dust.” — C.E. in Georgia

• “For an instant pick-me-up twist to regular tomato soup, I add a couple of teaspoons of salsa. It gives it a little kick, and I really like it.” — F.L. in Ohio

• Spring-cleaning 101: Should you get rid of something? If it’s broken (and can’t be fixed easily), stained, obsolete, a pain to use, the wrong size, no longer fun or doesn’t make you feel good to have it, get rid of it. If it’s not broken or stained, give it to charity or a friend and feel better that your life is that much more simple.