This is a guest post from our friends at Safewise.

Spring is in the air, and that means it’s time to tackle those cleaning and home improvement projects you’ve been putting off all winter. From basics like deep cleaning and dusting to important maintenance and safety precautions, there’s a spring laundry list of projects for you (pun intended). Whether you’re looking for something quick and easy or something more involved, you should find something in these six spring cleaning projects to keep you busy. 

 

Air out pillows and couch cushions

More moderate temperatures make spring the perfect time to let your cushions get a little fresh air. Sprinkle some baking soda on them and then place them outside somewhere where air can circulate. This can help alleviate musty smells and pet odors and get your furniture smelling fresh again.  

You can hang them from a clothesline if they’re small enough or lay them out in the sun on a blanket. Just make sure they aren’t exposed to excessive moisture, as that could make the problem worse.  

 

Dust thoroughly

Spring is a time when many people start having trouble with allergies—eliminate one possible source of those problems by giving your home a thorough dusting. Get all the usual suspects like countertops, desks, and blinds. But also take time to hit the spots you might otherwise neglect: 

  • Baseboards 
  • The tops of your kitchen cabinets 
  • Inside your kitchen cabinets 
  • Ceiling fans 

You might be surprised how much easier you breathe when you’re done.  

 

Rinse out your trash and recycling cans

Now that (hopefully) the weather is warming up, take your trash cans outside and wash them. Odors, bacteria, and general nasty gunk can build up in trash cans over time, even if you wipe them down regularly. The solution? Take them outside, hose them down, and spray them with a disinfectant. Then rinse again and leave them open to dry. If you can, turn them upside down during the drying process to make sure all the water runs out.   

 

Get your AC serviced

While it might not be hot enough yet to start cranking the cool air, it will be soon. Few things in modern life are as miserable as having your AC go out in the middle of summer, so make sure everything is in good working order and ready to go before it’s ninety degrees out.  

Unless you really know what you’re doing, this project is probably best left to a professional. You can usually handle basic cleaning on your own, but to really make sure everything is good to go, have a trusted AC-repair company come out and check out both indoor and outdoor units to make sure everything is operating smoothly. A technician can clean fans and vents, check Freon levels, and perform other maintenance to make sure everything operates at maximum efficiency. This inspection can also help save you some money on energy costs. 

 

Pressure wash your home’s exterior

Before you start throwing those spring and summer parties your neighbors all love, you’ll want to make sure the exterior of your home looks great. Snow and long months of underuse can make your deck, patio, and other outdoor spaces look a little worse for wear. There’s no better way to deep-clean a surface and eliminate grime than pressure washing. 

You can rent pressure washers from most major home improvement stores, or you can pick your own up if you think you’ll use it regularly. Whichever route you take, be slow and thorough and make sure you get all the nooks and crannies. It can really make a night-and-day difference in the appearance of outdoor areas. 

 

Clean your chimney and fireplace

After a long winter of keeping your family warm, your fireplace deserves a break and a good cleaning. Removing soot helps keep your home clean and fresh. It can also help prevent chimney.  

Cleaning a chimney can be done yourself, but it’s probably something best left to a professional chimney sweep. These pros are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and know how to properly clean a chimney—not only for good performance and cleanliness but also for fire safety. The National Fire Protection Association recommends you have someone inspect your chimneys and fireplaces annually.  

 

Whatever kind of home improvement project you’re looking for, you’re sure to find something on this list to satisfy the spring fever and keep you busy. What are you waiting for? Get cleaning!