Get your home Spring ready with this list of 10 to-dos.
1. Get Rid of Dust & Clutter
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
