(ARA) - Warm weather has arrived and Americans are planning to shake out the rugs and wash the windows for the unofficial tradition of spring cleaning ... or are they? Nearly half of all Americans plan on spending less than four hours total on spring cleaning this year, according to the first-ever Stanley Steemer Spring Cleaning survey. The study shows that nearly two in 10 households will spend less than one hour or no time at all cleaning for the seasonal change. With experts predicting that this spring could be the worst allergy season in 10 years, now is not the time to sweep your chores under the rug. Despite their good intentions and best efforts, Americans who are spring cleaning might make the home look and smell better on the surface, but vacuuming and cleaning machines remove a relatively small portion of the dirt, dust and particulates that cause allergic reactions. Traditional cleaning methods only skim the surface of a deeper issue that calls for help from the pros. Stanley Steemer, with more than 60 years as the dirt authority; has been certified to remove more than 98 percent of dry soil from floors - a rate significantly higher than self-cleaning methods. In fact, in 2011 Stanley Steemer technicians removed more than 200 tons of dirt from American Homes. The experts in the field from Stanley Steemer offer these tips for maintaining a cleaner, healthier home this spring: * Vacuum heavy traffic areas two to three times a week and the rest of your carpets once a week. * Use indoor and outdoor entrance mats to reduce the amount of dirt that enters your home. * Homes should be cleaned in this order: air ducts first, upholstery and drapes second, then floors. * In the event of bad spills, keep the area moist until the pros arrive. And for the inevitable red wine spill, dilute the area with white wine before blotting * Vacuum under area rugs periodically to help remove any loose dirt that might be trapped. * Schedule a professional deep cleaning every six months to help maintain the value and health of your home. Spring cleaning plans? Tips from the pros help you get the best clean