As the weather begins to turn warm, we all have the urge to shed heavy winter clothes, refresh our surroundings, and get out of doors. After harsh weather and time spent indoors, there are plenty of chores that need to be done every spring so that our summers can be a bit more carefree.
Following a spring cleaning list of chores will help you avoid missing an important task and stay organized. Taking care of problems while they are small will ultimately save money and time.
Start Indoors, and Work Your Way Outdoors
Even before the weather is warm enough to take care of outdoor chores, you can get a head start on indoor spring cleaning. While there are always areas that need to be cleaned daily or weekly, some tasks only require seasonal cleaning or check-ups.
Change Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries
Changing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors takes only a few minutes but is one chore that can mean the difference in life and death. Even a small kitchen or laundry room fire can cause much more damage than you can ever imagine and cost thousands of dollars to repair.
Change Interior HVAC Air Filters
If you haven't been changing the filters in your heating and air conditioning system regularly, do it now. Clean filters reduce the wear and tear on your furnace and improve the quality of the air you are breathing.
Move Furniture and Clean Hard-to-Reach Spots
We're all guilty of cleaning only the most visible dirt and skipping the hard-to-reach spots, like floors under furniture or the ceiling fan. Maybe you've even forgotten that these things can get dirty. Trust us, they are dirty and it's time to get them clean.
Inspect Washing Machine Water Hoses
Washing machine hoses, especially rubber hoses, are a ticking time bomb that will one day rupture. And because the hoses are connected to a high-pressure water outlet when they rupture, there will be flooding that can ruin floors, walls, and cause hundreds of dollars in damage.
This is the time to check hoses for minor leaks that can become big ones and better still, replace rubber hoses with stainless steel braided hoses.
Empty Closets and Store Winter Clothes
As the seasons change, so does our wardrobe. Now is the perfect time to empty each clothes closet, give it a good cleaning, and sort winter clothes. We're sure you'll find things that you haven't worn in years and maybe don't even remember owning! These items should be sold, donated, or discarded. Clothes that you want to store until next year should be laundered or dry cleaned and stored away properly.
While the closet is empty, clean it well to ensure that no harmful pests that can ruin clothes are lurking.
Do Some Pest Control
After long months of cold weather, everyone is ready to get outside, including the insects, rodents, and other pests that have been snug inside. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, pest control is essential to keeping a clean home inside and outside.
Wash Windows and Clean Window Treatments
Even if the weather is still iffy, you can get a head start by washing the inside of your windows and glass doors. Of course, some like to tackle window washing inside and outside at the same time to check for streaks. It really doesn't matter how you do it, as long as you do it!
While you are cleaning the inside of the windows, don't overlook window treatments. Some curtains can be tossed in the washer but most drapery requires dry cleaning. Take the time to dust and clean blinds and shades, clean window screens, and wipe down window sills.
Check the Roof
Winter winds, rains, and snow can cause problems with any roof. If you are handy, do a complete roof inspection to look for loose shingles, cracks, or broken seals around pipes. If not, hire a professional.
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