With spring already beginning to unfold, it’s easy to get lost in warmer weather, the budding branches, and the sound of nature waking up from months spent in slumberous hibernation. Spring is a magically mesmerizing time of year, no matter where you live.
That said, the season also comes with its fair share of work, too — especially if you own a home. Home maintenance is a never-ending task that is particularly important to consider when things like the temperature and humidity levels are changing outside.
Here are a few quick reminders of basic spring activities to unpack your home from its winterized lockdown and help you gear up for the warmer weather ahead.
Review Your Exterior
The outside of your home takes a beating every winter. Fluctuating temperatures, snow and sleet, and even things like gravel thrown off the road by plows can leave your yard looking a bit disheveled.
Start your spring cleaning with a thorough inspection of your yard and the exterior of your house. This should include things like:
- Picking up fallen sticks;
- Cleaning up after your dog after a winter of snowy bathroom trips;
- Installing a pet-resistant screen door to let in the warm air while still keeping your pet inside;
- Checking your foundation and the grading of your yard for any damage over the winter;
- Clearing out the gutters and checking that the roof is ready for the rainy season ahead;
- Power washing your siding, touching up paint, and staining the deck;
- Sprucing up your decorative gardens and starting a plot for veggies if you’re so inclined.
There is plenty of work to be done inside. However, starting with the outside is a great way to bask in the warmer weather while simultaneously getting your spring cleaning momentum going.
Declutter Your Interior Spaces
Next up, consider conducting a top-to-bottom decluttering of your space. This isn’t talking about deep cleaning and maintenance. At this point, the goal should simply be to clear away the layers of clutter that tend to build up over the winter.
It’s a good idea to do this with a room-by-room process. Clear each space and put things back where they belong before moving to the next room. Recycle, donate, and get rid of things you don’t need, as well.
Many benefits come with decluttering. Not only do you get a cleaner space. You can also:
- Make your home host-worthy again;
- Save money through repairing and recycling forgotten items;
- Help reduce stress and anxiety;
- Improve your quality of sleep.
It’s tempting to dive into the bigger spring cleaning projects right away. However, starting with a good decluttering session is always a great way to give your larger cleaning plans a greater chance of success.
Create and Execute a Spring Maintenance Checklist
Once you’ve decluttered your spaces, it’s time to let that “spring cleaning” itch off the leash. This is one of the best times of year to give your home a genuine once over. As you clear away the clutter and open up your home to the warming outside air and sunny weather, it’s time to dig down to the nitty-gritty.
The best way to give your home a thorough once over is to create a spring cleaning and maintenance checklist. By doing this, you can tailor your list to precisely what activities are best for your home. A few suggestions of common items that show up on most lists include:
- Cleaning your HVAC system, heat and cooling registers, and any other exhaust fans that could grow mold in the warm months ahead;
- Vacuuming and dusting under all of the furniture;
- Inspecting and cleaning your windows and screens;
- Checking for any moisture that may be collecting either in the basement or in any crawl spaces;
- Make sure that your sump pump is ready for the incoming spring rains;
- Check your washer and dryer and any other plumbing for cracks or leaks as the weather and humidity are changing.
Spring offers the perfect opportunity to push a little bit deeper into your home cleaning activities. As the seasons change, it provides the perfect window of time to review things like your heating and cooling system, plumbing, and other elements of your house.
These are areas that often get minimal attention. So setting aside time to deliberately inspect, clean, fix, and repair them is a critical part of long-term home maintenance.
Cleaning this Spring
As you dive into your spring cleaning adventures, remember to pace yourself. You don’t want to end up feeling exhausted and stressed out. Try to set reasonable expectations, too. For instance, if you’re a working parent accept that you may not be able to do everything that you want to. Instead, try to prioritize the most important items.
Whatever your situation, do your best to apply these tips. If you can, you’ll go into your spring cleaning efforts with both eyes open and the greatest chance of being as effective as possible throughout your various warm-weather homeowner activities.
