It’s that time again. The weather is warming (a little), the birds are singing, and you try to peek outside to see the landscape coming to life, but all you see is a filthy window.

Uh-oh, it’s also that time of year again: spring cleaning.

We checked in with cleaning gurus to see how they accomplish this annual scrubbing spree and came away with 10 tips that might just help you do the same.

Start small, with the basics

Getting overrun with simple tasks like doing the dishes and sweeping the floors can make a deep spring cleaning seem impossible. Dana K. White, blogger and author of “How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind,’’ understands: she used to feel a little overwhelmed in her own home. But, she says, once she was able to make a habit of keeping up with the daily tasks, she got motivated to take on the bigger cleaning chores. Her advice: “Give yourself permission to start small. Use that to get used to those easy habits so it doesn’t get out of control.’’

Begin with the visible areas

White says a lot of people try to tackle big, hidden spring cleaning projects first, and ignore the most important areas of the house. But if you start with what you can see, you’ll be motivated to continue. “Focus on visible areas first, living areas, the kitchen, the dining room, and the front entrance,’’ she said. “As you work, you see can see that progress and you feel inspired and excited to keep going.’’

Make a plan for bigger projects . . .

Melissa Maker, bestselling author of “Clean My Space,’’ said by writing down a list of specific tasks to accomplish, she feels more capable of undertaking spring cleaning. “You’re not going to get struck to clean something,’’ Maker said. “You need to make sure you have the products and tools to do your projects, and budget time for yourself so you don’t go off the rails.’’ Once the list and schedule are made, whittle it down so you only have projects that you know you’ll do right now. Then do them. “It doesn’t have to be perfect — just better than the way it is now.’’

. . . But make it manageable

Taking on cleaning your entire house over one day, or even a few days, can be daunting. Taryn Williford, the lifestyle editor for Apartment Therapy, recommends making a list of bigger deep cleaning projects you may have — such as scrubbing the stove, cleaning shower curtains, and scrubbing cabinets — then spend a little time each day working on those projects. “Address your whole home, but focus on things that don’t get your day-to-day, week-to-week, or month-to-month attention,’’ Williford said. “Then tackle it little by little.’’

Check the walls

If you see that your walls need some spot cleaning, take it a room at a time, Linda Cobb, New York Times best-selling author of the “Queen of Clean’’ series, wrote in an e-mail. Her secret to cleaning these annoying dirty areas: “Gently use a magic-type eraser or a bit of non-gel toothpaste or baking soda on an old damp washcloth. Only do the spot so you don’t end up with a super clean spot on the wall.’’

Look up

People tend to clean things eye level or below every day, White said. By looking up, you’ll notice things that go mostly unnoticed — and unattended to — in your usual cleaning routine. Deep cleaning these areas will make a big visual difference in your home, White said. Areas to keep in mind when using this approach are light fixtures, doorway moldings, plate rails, and pesky cobwebs you don’t get to weekly or maybe even monthly.

Keep it green

Williford says she does a lot of her cleaning with paper towels, and for big spring cleaning projects, that can mean waste. She suggests using reusable alternatives when you can. “Keep in mind any opportunity to work with greener cleaning materials the better. Waste is a big problem when it comes to spring cleaning.’’ Williford said she uses Bambooee paper towels, which are durable and reusable, so she can use them for several different tasks before throwing them away. But if you’ve got dust rags that can be washed over and over again, use ’em.

Make your own products

People can spend a lot of money on products they only use a few times each year. In her book and on her website, Maker includes several economical recipes to make your own cleaning supplies. Understanding what basic household products (vinegar, dish soap, toothpaste, baking soda) can do when it comes to cleaning will save you money and time.

You don’t have to do it alone

Spring cleaning shouldn’t be left to one person. It’s something the whole household can help out with, Cobb wrote in an e-mail. If you set a timer and assign jobs each person, everyone will have a goal in mind and the work will go a lot faster. “When there is light at the end of the tunnel, you will get more help,’’ she said. “Don’t make it an all-day job.’’

Schedule in fun

Don’t forget to have some fun, Maker said. Clearly, all these deep cleaning projects can be exhausting. Maker said it helps if she schedules in brunch or a trip to the nail salon after working hard. “Get whatever you can do done, then reward yourself,’’ she said. “Big cleaning deserves some fun at the end.’’

Lexi Peery can be reached at lexi.peery@globe.com