Spring Cleaning Must-Do’s Inside and Out

At least two times a year, the inside and outside of your home could use a good once-over to make it look its best and keep it well-maintained. That’s why spring cleaning and other seasonal prep work should be at the top of your to-do list for the weeks ahead.

You’ll want to fully enjoy your home and yard when those gorgeous days come our way, so take the time to schedule some must-do tasks earlier in the season to cross them off your list. Remember that the time you spend on regular maintenance will help preserve the value of your home and prevent everyday wear and tear from turning into costly damage.

The warmer weather is the perfect time for some DIY projects. However, seek out an expert for those more difficult clean-up or repair needs. Here’s a handy list of springtime tasks – some for early spring and some later on in the season — that every homeowner should know about:

Keeping It Cool

The heat will be here before you know it! Get your AC running properly so you can keep your home cool. Have your full central AC system inspected and serviced now by an HVAC professional. A yearly tune-up will keep it running smoothly. Keep the condenser unit, which is located outside, clean and free of leaves and debris. Trim any shrubs away from the unit to ensure proper circulation.

Time to Sparkle and Shine

Let the sun shine in and clean your home from top to bottom. Tackle a few of these tasks each cleaning period so you don’t overwhelm yourself. Remember to always follow your manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for any items.

• Windows: You want to see clearly when your grass starts to green, so wash windows, wipe down sills, and clean screens by vacuuming first and then rinsing with a hose outside. Some of you may want to wait until the yellow pollen season is over to do this or you may need to repeat again.
• Floors: Wash and polish those hardwood floors. If they’re damaged or scratched, consider repairing the damage or re-staining or sealing to ensure they stay beautiful for years.
• Carpets: Hire a professional to clean your carpets thoroughly, especially if you have pets.
• Tile: Clean grout to make your bathrooms and kitchens shine. An old toothbrush and some vinegar and baking soda are a good start. Steam cleaning is also a great option. You can reseal the grout or stain it with a new color. Give tiles a deeper clean than usual and reseal if needed.
• Countertops: Clean and reseal your granite counters if necessary.
• Electronics: Wipe down all of your electronic devices from TV and computer screens, printers, keyboards, etc. Use LCD or microfiber cloths to rub away fingerprints and dust. Look for an electronic recycle center or place to bring your unused cell phones, printers, monitors, and other unused electronics.
• Vents: Clean your vents by taking off the covers, cleaning them with soap and water, and vacuuming any dust in nooks and crannies. That’s a lot of vents, so you can just focus on the ones that look especially dusty. Additionally, have your HVAC ducts professionally cleaned now that winter is over.
• Chimney/Fireplace: Clean up ashes if you had any wood fires the season and close the damper to prevent rainwater, animals, and drafts from entering your home. If you haven’t had one in the past year, you may consider hiring a professional do to a level 2 chimney inspection to make sure the chimney is sealed and functioning properly.
• Washer/Dryer: Run the cleaning cycle with bleach if you have an HD washer to cut down on mold and mildew smells. Don’t forget to regularly vacuum out lint from the dryer vent and hose to avoid a fire. Get your dryer vent hose professionally cleaned since build-up could cause a fire.
• Kitchen: Use your oven’s self-cleaning feature to remove food drips and spills after all the holiday cooking the last few months (you might want to wait on this one until after Easter). Go through your cabinets and organize your cans, cartons, and items and toss any containers missing lids or other items you haven’t used in the past year.
• Bathroom: Clean the shower head in your bathroom if it is spraying unevenly due to mineral deposits. Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and attach it to the shower head with a rubber band. Wait an hour and turn on the water. Use a toothbrush to clean off any leftover stains.
• Refrigerator: Give your refrigerator a good wipe-down inside before your next big shopping trip. Don’t forget to change your refrigerator filter regularly if you have an ice cube and water dispenser. Vacuum behind your refrigerator and its coils too.
• Paint: It’s a perfect time to pick a bright new color to spruce up a room.
• Flowers: Bring the feeling of spring inside your home with some cut flowers in a vase.

Get Ready for April Showers

The rainy season is upon us, so make sure your home and yard are ready for it!

• Doorways: Make sure you have inside and outside doormats for wiping wet shoes. Switch them to a fun spring pattern for an extra spring lift. Get an umbrella stand or tub for easy in-and-out access.
• Gutters: Double-check your home’s gutters, French drain system, or downspouts to make sure they are clog-free, and that water is moving away from your home’s foundation. Fix any broken or loose gutters.
• Drainage: Observe your lawn during a rainstorm to address any drainage issues. Hire a contractor/landscaper to examine any problems with standing water or lack of adequate draining.

The Great Outdoors

Give your yard and exterior of your home a good once-over to see how everything looks and for any winter damage.

• Cleanup: Remove debris such as dead foliage and fallen branches and twigs scattered in your yard. Clear out any growth or brush you don’t want. Be gentle raking and walking on your lawn at this time since new grass shoots may start to peek through.
• Garden Supplies: Clean, sharpen, and restock your garden tools and supplies. Remove rust and seal blades for pruning shears, hedge clippers, trowels, etc. Clean and restock garden pots, gloves, knee pads, and watering cans. Don’t forget to get gas for your lawnmower and trimmer. Purge and organize your garden shed or garage shelves to get rid of what you don’t need or use anymore and then arrange the space for easy access and a more orderly setup.
• Patio: Clean and prepare your patio or deck and any outdoor furniture or planters. Consider power washing to get rid of grime on some items that can withstand the pressure.
• Grill: Get your grill cleaned and repaired now. Scrub the grates with liquid cleaner, and wash the burners and covers if you have them. Don’t forget to get the tank filled if you have a gas grill, or stock up on charcoal for other grills.
• Pests: Hire a pest service to deal with ants, rats, spiders, or mice. Make sure your garbage is securely closed, and clean up any areas with debris that create an inviting home for critters.
• Driveway: Repair minor cracks in your driveway whether you have concrete or asphalt. Consider mud injection if you have cracks that are making the driveway uneven. Sealing, resurfacing, or power washing can give a driveway a bright lift.
• Flower garden: Begin to plant summer bulbs, annuals, and perennials for beds and planters. Order your mulch so your yard will look clean and polished in the coming weeks.
• Trees and shrubs: Fertilize and prune plants once growth or buds sprout. Transplant trees before they leaf out. Prune trees and shrubs that have any damage from the winter. You can’t prune some shrubs such as azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons until after they bloom. You can prune non-flowering trees and shrubs.

Let me know if you have any questions on maintaining your home. Reach out to me if I can recommend a contractor who can help you with any of these tasks. I’d love to help you get these items done so you can avoid costly damage or long-lasting problems down the line.