I love spring cleaning.

What? Did she just say “love” in reference to a sponge and wipe? OK, maybe “love” is too strong a word, but if cleaning is a necessary evil (like annual exams or potty training a child before he goes to college, it helps to consider the bright side and look at some benefits of this annual ritual.

If you’re procrastinating about the big cleaning event, here are 5 reasons to embrace spring cleaning this year:

1. De-cluttering can de-stress

If clutter stresses you out, then grab a set of plastic organizers and find zen. For me, each piece of clutter is a visual reminder of all the tasks I have to do — sort the mail, do the laundry, purge my closet. In fact, I surveyed my bedroom last week, and among our usual things, there was a potty (intended to move into storage 2 months ago. To my credit, it’s clean … I’m not that gross), an old diaper box (was used as an impromptu filing cabinet in a pinch) and a pair of Mickey Mouse ears from 2008 (no reasonable explanation). Mess equals stress. So, when you de-clutter your house, you de-clutter your life. Just the act of filing papers and putting away all those items leads to more calm. That’s cheaper than a bottle of wine, ladies!

2. You exercise without “exercising”

Want to skip a trip to the gym? Well, you can feel good that when done right (that is, with intensity; walking around with the feather duster doesn’t count), spring cleaning can help burn calories. As you use elbow grease on those counters, lug your vacuum up and down stairs or just carry cleaning products from room to room, you’re helping to shed the pounds. No treadmill required. You’re welcome.

3. Cleaning can help keep your home healthy

Cleaning and disinfecting your home can play a big part in helping to cut down your family's exposure to germs, which in turn helps you keep them healthy and happy. We’re not fully out of cold and flu season, and bacteria or viruses from the kitchen and bathroom can still quickly spread throughout the home by traveling on our hands from one surface to another. Make sure you tackle those rooms as part of your routine. If you want a short cut, manage the spread of germs by wiping down frequently touched surfaces with disinfecting wipes. It won’t stop my son Max from wiping his boogers on the back of his hand, but it will go a long way in ensuring they stop at the doorknob.

4. Tasks teach kids responsibility

Who says you have to do all the cleaning alone? Cleaning is a great opportunity to teach kids responsibility and give them (and you) a sense of accomplishment. A few months ago, I blogged about how to get kids to clean , and what better time to have them help than during spring cleaning? Just be sure to model the behavior too — no chillin’ on the couch eating bonbons while your kids organize the linen closet … as tempting as that is.

5. Tidying can save you money

When things are clean and in order, it can actually save you money. How many times have you cleaned up a closet or drawer only to uncover things you never knew you had? I’ve bought things multiple times, because I didn’t know where the original was. If you’ve paid bills late because you’ve lost them under piles of paper or if you dine out more often than necessary because your kitchen clutter just plain scares you, then spring cleaning may just be your ticket to saving some moolah this year. (In some cases, it can literally pay you … I mean, who doesn’t love putting away coats for the season and finding a $5 bill in the pocket? Joy!)

Not many folks love spring cleaning, but if you’ve got to do it, you might as well find some motivations.

Do you spring clean? What’s your best cleaning or organizing tip?

Use cleaning products as directed on nonporous surfaces. Keep out of reach of children