Behind every shiny surface lies a nettlesome problem. Or two. Or three. When polled on what you loathe most about spring-cleaning kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms, Real Simple readers came back with a compelling hate-to-do list (ovens, bad; toilets, worse).

But take heart! In this easy guide, you’ll find time-saving techniques, simple shortcuts, and a bucketful of hard-charging, expert-recommended, staff-tested products to help make the dreadful a little more doable.

When polled on what you loathe most about spring-cleaning kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms, readers came back with a compelling hate-to-do list. Here, a quick tour of duty through your main spring-cleaning conundrums:

The Kitchen: Small Appliances

The Kitchen: Large Appliances

The Bathroom

The Living Room