Seven apps to help you get into spring cleaning mode

Spring just sprung yesterday, but people are already getting into spring cleaning. If you haven't started yet, or even if you have, these apps can point you in the right direction to getting your home sparkling clean. There are apps for iOS and Android devices designed to make cleaning routines simple and fun. You may never have to spring clean again if you keep up with your chores all year round!

Chore Bank: This app helps parents set up chore lists for their kids and assign monetary values to each chore. Accounts are set up for each child. As chores are completed, the dollar amount assigned for that chore gets added to the child's "bank" which he or she can cash out. To encourage saving, parents can also set an interest rate to help the child accrue more money. I'd recommend doing this only for chores that aren't your child's regular responsibility rather than for chores that they should be doing already. Chore Bank is $1.99 for iOS devices.

Chore Hero: If your goal in life is to one-up those around you, try Chore Hero. The app makes chores both rewarding and competitive. It's fun to use with family or roommates. Chores can be scheduled and assigned to different people on different days. Or, for a Russian-roulette style cleaning system, allow the app to pick someone for that chore at random. All chores are assigned a level of difficulty. After all, feeding the pets isn't quite in the same category with scrubbing the toilets. Points are earned for each chore completed which the person can "cash out" for a reward later. The app is available for iOS devices for $2.99.

Clean Up Your Room: This app makes it fun for kids to clean up their rooms, just as the name suggests. Parents can ask their child to complete a chore such as picking up toys, gathering their laundry, and so on. The parent can create a reward of their choosing, or select one from the list. Possible rewards include TV time, reading a story, playing a board game, cash and several other options. A timer is set, and music plays as the child works on completing the chore. The music gets faster as time runs out. If the child successfully completes the chore, he or she can shake the phone to see what the reward will be. The app is available for $0.99 for iOS devices.

FlyHelper: FlyHelper follows the FlyLady principles of housecleaning. The app features routines for daily and weekly repeating chores while tasks are used for occasional chores. Your home is divided into zones allowing you to focus on one area each week. The app also features a menu planner and timer. The trial version is free and lasts two weeks. If you're happy with the app, you can purchase the full upgrade for $1.49. For the features it offers, it is much more affordable than anything you'll find for your iOS devices.

HomeRoutines: If you're looking for a cleaning solution that's similar to the FlyLady routine, but without the insane number of emails, this is your app. You can create recurring household tasks, routine checklists, set days of the week to complete your tasks, and set reminders if you're extra forgetful. Completed tasks will earn you a gold star. The morning and evening routines will help you stay up on your day-to-day cleaning while the "Focus Zones" help you do more detailed cleaning, one room at a time. My favorite feature of the app is the option to edit online; I don't like creating detailed lists using the iPhone's keyboard. The app is $4.99 for iOS devices.

House-Keeper: For those who've got their cleaning routines down pat but need a reminder for those uncommon chores, this is a good app. It features 10 of the most common (yet infrequent) chores like checking to make sure the fire extinguisher works, testing and replacing batteries in smoke detectors and changing toothbrushes. Reminders can easily be reset once the tasks are completed. House-Keeper is available for iOS devices for $0.99.

Reward My Chore: This Android app is, in my opinion, a better alternative to the Chore Bank app listed above. Reward My Chore allows parents to set up accounts for each child, list chores that the child should complete, and features a simple thumbs up or thumbs down to indicate whether or not the child completed the task. Your children can accumulate points by completing tasks, and can spend them on activities like watching TV, skipping their chores for a day, or going to the park. They can also be cashed out for money. The app is free for Android devices.

Picture of cleaners courtesy of go_greener_oz via Flickr. Picture of messy bedroom courtesy of EvelynGiggles via Flickr.