As the winter chill fades and the sun starts to shine again, it’s finally time to welcome spring. Before you throw open the windows to let in the fresh air, however, take the time to get your home ready for the season. From updating the décor to putting winter items in storage to tidying your landscaping, add these six essential tasks to your spring home maintenance checklist.
1. Put your winter gear in storage
Breaking out T-shirts and tank tops in favor of sweaters and long-sleeve shirts is a sure sign that spring has finally arrived. Whether you’re short on space or you simply want a tidier closet, take the time to weed out cold-weather clothes to give your spring wardrobe the spotlight.
Before storing away your winter clothing, make sure it’s clean, dry, and neatly folded, as this will make your seasonal transition much easier when winter returns again. Skip the cardboard boxes and place your heavy clothing, winter coats, and snow boots in plastic bins that seal tightly. Add labels to each bin for easy identification, and keep the bins in a personal storage unit to save space in your home.
2. Change up your home décor with some spring flare
As the grass gets green and flowers begin to bloom, it’s easy to see that spring has arrived outside. But what about inside your home? Give your house a fresh look by changing up the interior decor.
This is a great time to give some rooms a fresh coat of paint. If you don’t have the time or budget, however, keep your spring home maintenance tasks simple. Replace old artwork with new family photos, change out heavy winter bedding for lighter spring sheets, or add lampshades in brighter colors. These small changes will make a big difference for your décor and help transition your home from winter to spring.
3. Commit to spring cleaning every room
Whether you love it or hate it, spring cleaning is essential for giving your home some much-needed sparkle. Start with a few of our simple spring cleaning ideas, such as vacuuming and mopping floors, dusting flat surfaces, and cleaning dryer vents.
Next, reseal grout in all of your home’s tiled surfaces, shampoo carpet and rugs, and clean upholstered furniture. Finally, wax wooden furniture, seal hardwood floors, and polish metal hardware on doors and windows. These spring cleaning tasks will take a weekend or two, but they’re sure to make your home shine all season long.
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4. Schedule HVAC maintenance
Spring tends to bring surprising temperature fluctuations, so you’ll want to be ready for anything Mother Nature has in store. Before you shut off the furnace for the season and change your HVAC from heating to cooling mode, make sure your air conditioner is ready for the season.
You can start by removing fallen branches and leaves from the exterior unit, but when it comes to the interior unit, it’s in your best interest to call a professional. Schedule an annual HVAC maintenance appointment, and your local air conditioning contractor will run tests, calibrate the unit, and check for any wiring issues.
As the weather warms up and you run your air conditioner on a daily basis, you’ll be glad you scheduled HVAC maintenance at the beginning of the season. Not only can you look forward to fewer breakdowns and HVAC emergencies, but your air conditioner will also run more efficiently, saving you money in the long run.
5. Check your home gutters and windows
Spring means blue skies and bright sunshine, but it can also mean showers and rainstorms. Before those April showers bring May flowers, get ready for spring by doing some basic spring home maintenance to make sure your house can withstand seasonal storms.
Start by checking the gutters, which can experience wear and tear during the winter. Make sure the gutters are firmly attached to your home and remove any fallen leaves, twigs, and other natural debris that could prevent rainwater from flowing freely. Check for leaks and make sure that downspouts drain properly. This prevents water from collecting around your foundation or leaking into your basement.
Next, give your windows an exterior cleaning session to let the sun shine brightly inside your home. Consider installing screens or storm windows to let the fresh air in while keeping your home as efficient as possible.
6. Update your landscaping
As early in the season as you can, start making a plan for your yard. Whether you simply want to encourage existing trees and shrubs to grow or you want to plant a new flower bed, you’ll want to get an early start.
To visualize landscape design ideas, use stakes to map out your yardand assess how much space you’ll need for your dream garden. As you let your imagination run wild, don’t forget to factor yard maintenance into your plan. Even the most naturally beautiful gardens require weeding, watering, and pruning to look their best.
From the interior to the exterior, there are plenty of ways to welcome spring. Get started with these spring home maintenance tips, and make way for the sunny season ahead.
