April shower bring May flowers! Here is a home maintenance checklist that will help get your spaces ready for the nicer weather we have ahead of us. Tick these 10 items off your to-do list so you can get to the good stuff like hanging out around the grill, kicking back on the porch and savoring the season.
1. Get Ready for Grilling Season
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- Giving your grill a deep cleaning before the start of the season will help it work more efficiently and prevent flare-ups. Clean the grates and interior with a grill brush and wash the exterior with warm, soapy water. Clean and organize your grilling tools (tongs, spatula, skewers) and pick up charcoal or propane if needed. If you have a gas grill, be sure to check the fuel line for cracks and clean out any clogged burner holes.
2. Check Outdoor Lighting
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- Make sure all outdoor lights are in working order, including porch lights, landscape lighting and motion-sensing security lights. Replace bulbs or schedule repairs as needed.
3. Maintain/Repair Garden Paths
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- Create neat edges, pull weeds, fill in gravel paths with fresh gravel and replace or reposition broken steppingstones.
4. Tend to Your Potted Plants
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- If you have potted plants that stay indoors over winter, bring them out once the danger of frost has passed. To help your plants acclimatize, find a protected spot out of direct sun for the first several weeks outdoors.
5. Inspect Kitchen & Bathroom Fixtures
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- Keeping an eye on these areas can help prevent costly water damage and repairs later on. Make a plan to re-grout or re-caulk around counters and tile as needed. If you come across any slow leaks, have these repaired as well.
6. Clean Walls & Touch Up Paint
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- Use a dusting attachment on your vacuum or an electrostatic duster to remove dust from walls, paying special attention to corners and baseboards. For a deeper clean, wipe down walls with warm, soapy water after dusting. Rinse with clean water, using a lint-free cloth. Touch up paint as needed on interior walls and trim.
7. Clean Items on Open Shelves
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- Infrequently used items stored on open shelves can get pretty grimy over time. For items with a thin layer of dust, swipe with an electrostatic duster. If there is a thicker layer of dust, of if the items are in the kitchen (where cooking grease can be an issue), wash each piece in a tub of warm, soapy water. Rinse and allow everything to dry before replacing.
8. Add a Relaxing Porch or Backyard Feature
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- Make your home’s porch or backyard more inviting with a cohesive piece of furniture. Furniture pieces to consider include a porch swing, rocking chairs, outdoor umbrellas or curtains, etc.
9. Clean Your Laundry Room/Area
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- Run your washer with a speciality washing machine cleaner or white vinegar on a hot water cycle. Thoroughly wipe the rubber rim inside the washer and dryer doors and remove lint from the dryer vent with a vent brush or vacuum attachment. Clean countertops, mop floors and restock supplies.
10. And As Always – Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
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- Smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month and replaced every 10 years — even if they still appear to be in working order, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and replace it if necessary.
Whether you want to get your backyard ready for Memorial Day weekend or want to wrap up some spring cleaning, I hope this checklist helps you tackle some house chores! Until next month! 🙂
Resources: Houzz.com
