Be a lean, mean cleanin' machine.

Well, it's that time again. I can no longer wash my face in the bathroom or sit and sip tea in the living room without noticing the dust. Our place isn't that big, but the stuff accumulates. And it grosses me out, so my type A-ish personality is all over it this week. I've got my (pretty) rubber gloves on, Windex and feather duster in hand, and I'm cleaning. Oh, am I cleaning! Because, really—there's nothing better than a clean home. (And yes, my husband helps. He is a CHAMP when it comes to scrubbing toilets and shower stalls. Lemme tell ya.)

While some detest this chore—let's be honest, most of us do—others see it as an opportunity to burn a few extra calories. Yep, that's right. All that scrubbing and wiping burns calories. Which means, if you really want to, you can call it exercise. But sorry, it can't replace your real workouts.

Here's how it breaks down, as reported in the November/December issue of Fitness:

Granted, the numbers above are general averages produced by the study reported on in Fitness, which means they can (and will) vary per person. And we all know that the harder you work, the more calories you'll burn. So keep that in mind, too. But really, it just goes to show you that a little activity goes a long way. Even if you are just cleaning. So plug in that iPod and get to it already. (I won't say anything if you start dancing, too. Double the burn!)

Question: What's your favorite thing to clean? Come on...there's gotta be something! For me, I love wiping down a mirror. There's something so incredibly refreshing about it. (Does that make me weird?)

REMINDER! Don't forget to enter my Journey Bars giveaway! You just might win a combo box of 12 delicious and nutritious bars. (Contest ends at midnight EST on Friday, November 19, 2010).