Spring Home Maintenance Checklist Archives

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

As winter weather fades, it’s the perfect time to assess your home for any seasonal damage and get ready for the warmer months ahead. With longer days and milder temperatures, spring offers an ideal opportunity to step outside and take on larger home and yard projects.

1. Wash Windows

- Give your home a fresh, polished feel by cleaning grime from your windows inside and out. Sparkling glass brightens your indoor spaces and enhances curb appeal on the exterior. You can tackle exterior windows yourself with a hose attachment, or consider hiring a professional for a thorough, hassle-free clean.

2. Check Screen Doors & Windows

- Window screens help keep fresh air flowing while preventing insects from getting inside—but they can only do their job if they’re in good condition. Before installing them for the warmer months, take a few minutes to inspect each screen carefully and repair any holes or tears, even minor ones. Screen repair kits are widely available at most hardware and home improvement stores, making this an easy and worthwhile task.

3. Inspect Driveways and Paths

- Freezing and thawing cycles can take a toll on concrete, asphalt, and other hardscape surfaces. Take a walk around your property to check for any damage to walkways, paths, and driveways, and plan for repairs as needed. While asphalt can often be patched, more significant damage to concrete may require full replacement.

4. Clean Light Fixtures & Lamps

- Ceiling-mounted fixtures, fans, and table lamps can collect a surprising amount of dust over time, which can dull their appearance and reduce the amount of light they give off. Refresh your space by gently cleaning these surfaces with a soft microfiber cloth or duster to restore their shine and brightness.

5. Clean Gutters & Downspouts

- Once the last frost has passed, it’s a good idea to have your gutters and downspouts cleaned and inspected for any needed repairs. Clogged systems can lead to rotting wood trim along the eaves, which may create openings for pests to enter your attic. Taking care of this maintenance early in the season can also help protect your home from spring rains. Clean, properly functioning gutters and downspouts ensure water flows freely and is directed away from your home. When downspouts are correctly installed, they help prevent water from pooling around the foundation, reducing the risk of damage over time.

6. Clean Underneath Area Rugs

- Move furniture as needed, roll up your rug and pad, and take a moment to vacuum underneath. It may feel like a bit of extra effort, but once you see what’s been hiding beneath, you may find it well worth adding to your regular cleaning routine.

7. Wipe Wall Scuffs & Dings

- Using a damp, soft cloth and a bit of dish soap, or a product (like Magic Eraser), swipe off scuff marks. Fill any dings in the wall and touch up with paint.

8. Check Sprinkler & Irrigation Systems

- Taking time in the spring to check your sprinkler or irrigation system can help conserve water and keep your plants healthy. Professionals recommends running the system through each zone manually while walking your property to ensure everything is working properly. Look for any broken or damaged sprinkler heads, and make adjustments as needed—especially if water is spraying your home, such as windows, which can lead to moisture issues. It’s also important to redirect any heads that are watering streets, sidewalks, or porches to prevent unnecessary waste. If you’re unsure how to properly maintain your system, consider contacting a professional. A little attention now can help lower your water bill while protecting one of our most valuable natural resources.

I hope you find this checklist helpful! Until next month!

Resources: Houzz.com

October Home Maintenance Checklist

Get your home October ready with this list of 10 to-dos.

1. Rake Leaves

- The leaves are already starting to fall! To make quicker work of collecting leaves from a large lawn, rake the fallen foliage onto a large plastic tarp. Then bag it or add it to your compost pile.

2. Decorate for Halloween

- If you’re planning to participate in Halloween festivities, whether you’re working on an elaborate lawn display or simple door decor, it helps to get an early start on shopping or crafting.

3. Keep Seasonal Decorating Low-Key with Natural Finds

- Pumpkins, gourds, fresh heirloom apples, quinces, pomegranates, figs and fall foliage make wonderfully simple decor. Bring in cut branches from your yard, stop by a pick-your-own farm, or scoop up fall’s bounty at a farm stand.

4. Neaten Up Your Mudroom/Entry

- The flurry of activity this time of year can leave your mudroom or entry looking a little worse for the wear. Sort through papers/mail and put away stray summer items. Clean the floors and invest in a new doormat if needed. Keep a recycling basket near the entrance to make sorting mail and school papers easier, and dedicate a tote or bin for items that need to go out.

5. Vacuum Radiators, Baseboard Heaters & Heating Grates

- Prepare for heating season by vacuuming up dust from radiators, baseboard heaters and heating grates. If you have radiators with covers, remove the covers and vacuum beneath them before replacing.

6. Cover/Put Away Outdoor Furniture & Grills

- If you plan to leave your patio furniture or grill outside through the fall and winter, cover them well and stow them beneath an overhang that will protect them from rain and snow. Even if you live in a mild climate, covering your grill between uses is a good idea to preserve the finish.

7. Shut Off Exterior Faucets & Store Hoses for Winter

- Disconnect, drain and roll hoses before storing them for the winter. Shut off the water supply to exterior faucets to prevent frozen pipes.

8. Clean Gutters & Downspouts

- Wait until most of the leaves have fallen to schedule a rain gutter cleaning. Inspect gutters and downspouts for cracks and loose parts, and make repairs as needed.

9. Check Safety Devices

- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the house, replacing batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on the kitchen fire extinguisher and replace it if needed.

10. Start a Gift List

- It may seem as though the holidays are a long way off, but that’s why it pays to start getting organized now. Start a list of everyone you plan to give gifts to this year, and as ideas strike, jot them down on your list. You can also use your list to keep track of a holiday gifting budget. And if you want to make any gifts by hand, October is a great time to get started — handmade gifts always seem to take longer to make than expected.

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your September! Until next month!

Resources: Houzz.com

April Home Maintenance Checklist

Get your home Spring ready with this list of 10 to-dos.

1. Get Rid of Dust & Clutter

- Start with clearing out any cluttered areas because the less stuff is in your way, the easier it will be to clean surfaces. Be sure to remove items you don’t want from your home! If you don’t, it’s highly likely that these items will find a way of working themselves back into your closets, cupboards, and drawers. Have old furniture, kitchenware, or clothing? See if a local charitable organization is accepting items and will do a pickup. Having a pickup scheduled can be a good way to get motivated to get the work done.

2. Clean the Exterior & Inspect Your Window Screens

- One extremely way to increase your home’s curb appeal is as easy as turning on the hose (or pressure washer if you have one!) and giving your siding a quick blast to remove unwanted dirt and debris. While you’re at it, inspect your window screens and see if you can find any small tears that need replacing to avoid letting bugs in. Warmer weather is around the corner and you’ll want to open those windows!

3. Simplify Your Living Room

- Take a look around your living room and consider reducing the amount of books and media to create a more relaxing space. Donate used books, movies and music to your local library or sell them. Organize what’s left, hiding anything unsightly (like gaming equipment) behind closed doors. There is even this modern Ikea hack to help hid your router: click here.

4. Deep Clean the Kitchen

- Give your kitchen a fresh spring start with a thorough cleaning. In addition to your usual cobweb clearing and floor mopping, wipe down walls and doors and vacuum behind the fridge and stove. Encourage seasonal eating by cleaning out the fridge and pantry, and stocking the space with items from your local farmers market. Check the expiration dates on your spices and toss/repurchase as necessary.

5. Clean Ceiling Fans & Overhead Lighting

- Time to bust out a tall ladder and carefully get to work! Use a duster or microfiber rags to remove dust from fans and light fixtures. Be careful not to use wet rags; it will only make the dust harder to remove. For caked-on grime, start with a dry duster or microfiber cloth and then move on to a fresh damp cloth if needed.

6. Streamline Your Files

- Tax Day is quickly approaching. Since you’ll likely be digging through your paperwork and files as you prepare taxes, take some additional time to shred/recycle junk as you come across it rather than stuffing it back into your files. A slimmed down file drawer will make it much easier to find what you need so it’s worth the extra effort now.

7. Freshen Patios & Porches

- The longer days always tend to draw people outdoors onto porches, patios, and decks to soak up some sunshine. Make sure your outdoor spaces are ready for the season by cleaning away cobwebs and leaves, washing floors and refreshing outdoor furniture.

8. Refresh Your Textiles

- If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your rugs or upholstery, this could be the right focus for you. Start by laundering small washable items, like shower curtains, cotton rugs and washable slipcovers, at home. When laundering slipcovers, try putting them back on while they’re still barely damp for a better fit.

9. Check Safety Devices

- Test batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing them as needed. It’s also a good idea to periodically check for recalls of your home safety products; you can find up-to-date listings at Recalls.gov.

10. Clean Out the Garage

- Can you park your car in your garage? If not (or if it’s a tight fit), it may be time to make some more space. Clear out the junk, and schedule time to take unused paint, motor oil and other hazardous items to a recycling center that accepts them. (If you’re not sure where to go, search Earth911 to find a center near you.) Once your garage is cleaned out, consider adding wall-mounted storage to keep things neat and off the floor.

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your March! Until next month!

Resources: Houzz.com

10 Things You Should Do to Get Your Home Spring Ready

Nice weather is on its way! Welcome Spring with a little gardening and some spring cleaning.

1. Remove Winter Layers

- Time to swap out your heavy winter bedding for lighter covers and quilts. Consider changing deep-pile rugs for flat-weave or natural-fiber versions for the warmer months.

2. Make Mirrors and Table Lamps Shine

- Remove dust from table lamps with a duster or soft rag and wipe down mirrors with a damp microfiber cloth. Doing this will enhance the light throughout your space.

3. Simplify the Table

- Go through your cupboards and let go of any mismatched or chipped dishes and donate any sets you no longer have love for. Keep a basket of fresh cloth napkins within easy reach of the table to make it more convenient than grabbing paper napkins, and invest in a living centerpiece that will stay fresh and green with little maintenance, such as potted succulent plants.

4. Spring Clean the Kitchen

- Give your kitchen a fresh start this spring by cleanings items and areas normally missed during your day-to-day cleaning. Start with your smaller appliances, clean out grease and grime from your rangehood, clean the backsplash, dust light fixtures, and vacuum those hard to reach places like behind the fridge and under the stove.

5. Clean Slipcovers and Soft Furnishings

- Smaller slipcovers and washable rugs can be washed at home, but drop off larger pieces with the professionals. If you are washing anything at home, be sure to carefully read the washing instructions and err on the side of caution.

6. Dust High Corners and Baseboards

- Use a vacuum attachment or a duster to dust and remove cobwebs from the low and high spots we often miss during routine cleaning.

7. Refresh the Entryway

- With winter gone, it’s nice to give your entryway a refresh. Start by either cleaning or replacing your doormat. Clear out or organize your coat closet or anything you have on hooks. Don’t forget to put out your umbrella holder for our PNW spring showers.

8. Clean Up Patio Furniture

- Winter can take a toll on your outdoor furniture if not stored or covered properly. Be sure to give everything a good scrub before you start using your patio furniture in the warmer months. Wash any washable cushion covers and replace worn-out items if needed.

9. Tune Up Lawn and Garden Tools

- Sharp tools get the job done! Take your lawn mower and clippers in for a sharpening and tune up before you begin work in your garden.

10. Make a Garden Plan

- There is still time to get your garden growing! Sketch out a plan, jot down some ideas for this season’s plants, and pick up some seeds or seedlings. Also consider making changes to the hardscape of your garden. Maybe a new path or new fencing?

Lastly, another great home maintenance tip for this spring would be to inspect your home’s exterior for winter damage and make repairs as needed.

Hope you all have a wonderful Spring Season. Until next month!

Resource: https://www.houzz.com/