Spring Maintenance Checklist for the Home: Everything You Need to Know

Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time to think about doing some deep cleaning and home maintenance. There are many perks to doing a bit of spring maintenance, including both physical and emotional benefits. Many people view spring as a season for positive change, and cleaning and maintaining your home can help to improve your mood and mental well-being. Doing spring maintenance also ensures that both the inside and outside of your home are safe, clean, and ready to be enjoyed throughout the coming seasons. Read on for a complete spring maintenance checklist so that you can prepare for the new season ahead.

There are several benefits to performing spring home maintenance, including:

• Preventing costly repairs: Regular maintenance can help identify small problems before they turn into larger, more expensive repairs.
• Improving energy efficiency: Spring maintenance can help identify areas where your home is losing energy and suggest ways to improve efficiency, leading to lower energy bills.
• Extending the lifespan of appliances and systems: Regular maintenance can help keep appliances and systems in good working order, leading to a longer lifespan and avoiding the need for premature replacement.
• Enhancing safety: Spring maintenance can identify potential safety hazards in your home, such as faulty wiring or leaks, and allow you to address them before they become a problem.
• Increasing home value: A well-maintained home is more attractive to potential buyers, which can lead to a higher resale value if you decide to sell your home in the future.

Overall, spring home maintenance is an important investment in your home’s future, helping to ensure that it remains a safe, comfortable, and efficient place to live. Your home warranty covers properly maintained covered systems and appliances for normal wear and tear. That means it’s essential you carefully update your home maintenance on a regular basis. A seasonal checklist is perfect for staying on top of the maintenance tasks that must be performed each year.

Indoor spring maintenance checklist and tips

It’s important to keep the inside of your home clean and maintained, regardless of the season. The ultimate spring cleaning checklist can guide you through essential tasks to ensure that your home is tidy and prepared for spring. Here are some things to do this spring to keep the interior of your home clean and ready for warmer weather.

• Do some deep-cleaning and decluttering: Not only does deep-cleaning your home make you feel good, but there are some health benefits, too. Dusting, vacuuming, and doing an all-around home cleaning removes excess pollen, dust, and other irritants and allergens from your home. Many people who suffer from allergies experience them in springtime, so by cleaning your home thoroughly, you’re helping to reduce the symptoms. It’s also a great way to get active and reduce the potential for pesky pests. Taking these measures is a proactive approach to preventing pests, ensuring a healthier living environment throughout the year. Spring is also an excellent time to declutter and get rid of items you no longer use. Whether you donate, sell, or host a yard sale, it’s a great way to open up your home and make it feel light and airy while reducing the number of items you no longer need.
• Clean your windows: You’ll probably want to open your windows to let those spring breezes in. Start by removing dirt, dead insects, and gunk from the screens using a soft, damp cloth. Use a brush or vacuum to clean the channels of your windows, so they open and close more easily. Wipe down the inside of your windows using window cleaner, then finish with a squeegee or a soft, dry cloth.
• Clean kitchen appliances: Part of your spring-cleaning plan should include kitchen cleaning and, more specifically, your appliances. Go through your fridge and remove old food, then wipe down the inside before you restock it. You should also wipe down and sanitize the inside of your microwave and oven. Clean your dishwasher by filling a cup or bowl with some white vinegar, then run the empty dishwasher on the hottest, longest cycle to remove food buildup and soap scum.
• Dust the ceiling fans: You’re likely to use your ceiling fans during the springtime, so make sure they’re clean by dusting off all the blades. Using a step ladder, place a pillowcase over each blade and gently wipe the dust into it. Repeat this for each blade of each fan in every room.
• Prep your closet: Get your closet spring-ready by storing winter clothes and accessories away and putting them in plastic storage bins. You can also go through and declutter your wardrobe, so you have room for new outfits. Include your closet prep as part of your home decluttering plan so you can get rid of any clothes you no longer wear.
• Store winter bedding: Now is also a great time to store heavy winter bedding. Put thick comforters, heavy weighted blankets, and quilts away for the spring and summer. Fold the bedding neatly and place it in a storage chest or some under-bed storage containers.
• Other spring-cleaning essentials: Don’t forget to air out your couch cushions, pillows, and linens. Place these items outside on a warm day and hang them on a clothesline or place them on the ground on a blanket for a few hours to let them air out. Another spring cleaning must-do is to rinse out and sanitize your trash can to prevent pests from entering your home. This is also a perfect time to dust everything as thoroughly as possible, including all furniture, countertops, and knick-knacks.

Bring some nature inside: Spring is a beautiful time to bring some blooming flowers indoors. You can cut fresh flowers from your garden and put them in a beautiful vase to enjoy their lively colors and sweet-smelling fragrance. You can look for the best plants to grow in your area based on your specific planting zone. 

Incorporate seasonal scents: Fill your home with the scent of spring by using a few popular seasonal smells. Some classic spring notes include lemon, bergamot, mandarin, and romantic florals like rose, jasmine, and iris. Incorporate these scents by using essential oils, lighting scented candles, or cutting flowers and putting them in a vase. You can also make your own scented room spray that you can use whenever you want to refresh the scent in your home.

Test your smoke detectors: You should test all smoke detectors in your home every season to ensure that they’re working correctly. This is also an excellent time to replace the batteries in each smoke detector. If you’ve had them for ten years or longer, consider replacing them altogether.

Change the air filters: It’s best to change your HVAC air filters every 30 days. However, some filters are good for up to 60 or even 90 days. Make sure you have the correct size filter, then remove the cover and discard the old filter. After you’ve replaced it, secure the cover and dust or vacuum your vents, so everything is clean and fresh for spring.

Outdoor spring maintenance checklist and tips

Keeping the outside of your home clean and well-maintained is extremely important, too. By doing some exterior home maintenance, you can protect your property from storm damage or other events. It’s also a good way to avoid making costly repairs later. If you need help and cannot perform certain repairs or maintenance tasks yourself, you can hire a handyman to help you get things done.

Deep cleaning the outdoors: Here are some ways to thoroughly clean the outside of your home as part of your spring maintenance plan.

• Clean the windows and screens: One way to clean your window screens is to remove them and rinse them thoroughly with a garden hose. If you can’t or don’t want to remove them, dust them using a soft cloth or wash them with a sponge soaked in a mixture of either dish soap or vinegar and warm water. To clean the outside of your windows, use a standard window cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge. You can also mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water to clean the outside. Work your way from top to bottom, making sure that you’re removing dirt and grime as you go down. Once you’re done, use a fresh, clean, soft towel to dry them off, or try a squeegee for crystal clear windows.
• Clean out your gutters: Fall can cause your gutters to become filled with dead leaves, twigs, and other debris. To clean your rain gutters, use a sturdy ladder placed on a stable surface. Take a small plastic scoop and gently clean out the gutters, starting from one end and moving toward the opposite end. Place a tarp on the ground below to collect the debris as you toss it down. Take a garden hose and flush out any remaining debris when you’re done. Now is also an excellent time to look for any cracks or disconnected pieces so you can repair them.
• Prep backyard furniture: Get your patio furniture ready for spring by gently wiping the dirt from the cushions and frames using a soft cloth or towel. You can also spray anything made of wood, plastic, or weather-resistant fabric with a garden hose. A solution of dish soap and water to scrub most outdoor furniture is also helpful for cleaning. If you need to remove rust from metal furniture, scrub it with a soft-bristled brush or use steel wool to remove rust areas, then repaint it.
• Clean vents and air ducts: Remove all vent and duct covers, then vacuum out any dust using a vacuum cleaner with a long hose and brush attachment. Make sure your vacuum extends along the walls and as far into the vents as possible. If the covers are dirty, simply wipe them clean with a cloth, soap, and water before reattaching them.
• Fence cleaning: Add one gallon of warm water and 12 ounces of TSP to a large 5-gallon bucket. Add 8 cups of liquid bleach and stir thoroughly. Apply the mixture to your fence with a large sponge and gently scrub until it looks clean. Repeat until all stains are removed, then spray your fence with clean water using a garden hose.

Trim tree and shrub overgrowth: This is a great time of year to trim away any dead tree limbs and overgrowth in your yard and garden. Use a pair of garden pruners to gently cut overgrowth away. If you need to remove an entire tree or larger limbs, it’s best to consult with a professional landscaper or arborist in your area.

Inspect the roof: Take a close look at your roof and note any damaged or missing shingles. You should also look for signs of mildew or algae and check to ensure that the flashing is secure and in good condition. Look for signs of possible roof damage or areas where a leak might be present and make necessary repairs as soon as possible.

Do some spring lawn care: Rake any leftover leaves and debris from autumn and remove any weeds you see. Spring is an excellent time to aerate your lawn to get it ready for the spring rains. Remove dead plants and then plant a few new, healthy plants. Add some mulch to your landscaping and garden areas to help plants retain moisture. Do some lawn equipment maintenance and check on your lawnmower (sharpen the blades, change the oil and filter) and any other lawn and garden equipment you own.

Paint the exterior: Spring is an ideal time to re-paint the exterior of your home needs a touch-up. If you need to paint the entire house, it’s best to leave a large job like this to the pros. Now is also a great time to re-stain wooden fencing or decks and seal them.

Check on your sprinklers and/or irrigation system: Run all of your sprinklers through each zone and walk around to look for any signs of broken or damaged sprinkler heads. Adjust heads that are spraying onto the house since this can cause moisture issues. Contact a professional if you need help repairing or maintaining your sprinkler system to save water and money on your water bill.

Plant some bulbs: Plant a few bulbs around your garden to enjoy beautiful blooms all spring. Some of the best bulbs include daffodils, tulips, and crocus. You can mix and match different bulbs or plant the same type of flowers together.

Doing a few simple spring maintenance tasks will be well worth the effort after you’re done. It’s important to make sure that your home is clean and prepped so that you can enjoy the warmer months safely. Don’t forget to try these tips for both the inside and outside of your home so that your entire house will be prepared and ready for the spring season.