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Up come the flowers, out comes the sun and there it is - the clutter you can no longer ignore.

A whole year's worth of mess; the remnants of four seasons of holidays, school projects, clothing and home projects, all sitting in your attic, garage or basement or scattered throughout the home.

For most people, the start of spring signals a time to clean. Sixty percent of Americans agree it's the best time to clean house, according to a 2006 survey by the Soap and Detergent Association. The survey also found that 98 percent of respondents said they "feel good about themselves" when their home is clean.

But a whole house to clean and organize can be a daunting task: How do you decide what's got to go, where do you start cleaning, and how can you keep things organized?

"It can be emotional," said Bill Bundeff, a franchise partner for 1-800-GOT-JUNK, who is based out of Cumberland, R.I. "It could be a lot of papers from second grade or magazines from a subscription your grandfather bought you and you've had for 20 years. "Some people just get embarrassed because they don't know where to start."

Bundeff's junk removal service offers full pick-up and disposal service of almost anything in the home, except for hazardous items.

For four years now he's witnessed many a homeowner struggle with the task of clearing out messes, and knows it can be quite the overwhelming task.

He says that services like his take some stress away from the process and the best companies will help you make tough decisions and ease the emotional guilt that can come with throwing out or giving away sentimental items.

"If people know they'll be donated or recycled, they don't feel so bad," Bundeff said. "When they don't physically do it themselves, the emotion is taken out."

Other than giving items away, Bundeff and others recommend these tips for a speedy and stress-free spring cleaning:

Make a List : Establish major goals and then prioritize tasks. Also, write down what you'll need to get each job done, including cleaning supplies, and what you'll need for storage or organization.

Divide the jobs: Don't get overwhelmed by trying to do it all in one day or weekend. Divide the items on your list in weekly goals or give each household member jobs to accomplish.

Set a deadline: Decide when you want all your cleaning to be finished, stick to that date by scheduling the tasks into your datebook and, if you have to, remind yourself with notes on your fridge. If you use a removal service, schedule your pickup for that day and know you'll have to be finished.

Start with the biggest problem: Begin by cleaning the area in your home you use more frequently, such as the kitchen or living room, which also tend to collect the most clutter. Seeing a finished job in the room you're in most will encourage you to get the rest done. Be realistic about your space: Many people don't realize how much stuff they have until they start cleaning. As you go through items, be honest about how much you use your board games, CDs, DVDs, books and other items. Limit what you keep to what you enjoy the most.

Clean out the desk: Your home desk or file cabinets could contain financial papers you really don't need. For instance, tax returns should stay in your file permanently and pay stubs should remain for a year. Remember to shred all papers with important financial information, including social security and credit card numbers. A detailed list of what to keep for how long can be found at www.realsimple.com.

REBECCA KEISTER can be reached at 508-236-0336 or at rkeister@thesunchronicle.com.