Get Your Home Ready For Spring

Maintaining a healthy home goes beyond dusting and vacuuming. When is the last time you checked your smoke alarms? How about the last time you cleaned out your dryer vent? In honor of Sunday March 20th being the first day of spring we have compiled a list of DIY Network tips to make sure your family and home are ready for a healthy, happy, and clean spring season. Follow along with us as we list out the top 13 spring cleaning ideas for a cleaner home.

Ideas for Spring Cleaning:

1. Clean the Gutters

Number one on the spring cleaning ideas list is... cleaning the gutters. Grab a ladder, and check your gutters for debris. Remove as much as you can with your hands (Don't forget to wear gloves!). Remove any leftover gunk with a garden hose. Take off any nozzle and have a helper turn on the water when you’re ready. Shove the hose into the downspout to power out of gooseneck bends. Make sure your downspouts channel water at least five feet from foundation walls

2. Scrub Walls, Baseboards and Outlets

Scrub all the walls — in the bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms and living areas — with a sponge or brush and mild soap and water. This includes baseboards and outlets. Make sure to completely dry outlet covers before replacing. 

3. Replace Filters

Replace all filters including water, range hood and air vent filters. You should replace these filters every 3-6 months depending on the type of filter you have. 

5. Clean Faucets and Shower Heads

Unscrew the faucet aerators, sink sprayers and shower heads, and soak them in equal parts vinegar and water solution. Let them soak for an hour, then rinse with warm water.

6. Clean Out the Dryer Vent

Cleaning your dryer vents is extremely important. A clogged dryer vent can not only be a fire hazard, but could be costing you energy savings. To clean it, disconnect the vent from the back of the machine and use a dryer vent brush to remove lint. Outside your house, remove the dryer vent cover and use the brush to remove lint from the other end of the vent line. Make sure the vent cover flap moves freely. 

7. Wash Exterior Windows

Hire a window cleaning service to clean all exterior windows. You can find the best local companies by looking online. When you clean your windows and maintain them, you can save on energy costs by allowing natural sunlight to enter your home. So grab some windex and a paper towel or hire an expert today. Additionally, if you notice any cracks in your windows, then make sure you get window replacements immediately. Don't wait for hurricane season to get here. 

8. Keep Allergens Away

Keep dust, mold, and pollen at bay by decluttering your home, checking pipes for leaks and keeping the air clean. Follow these 5 steps to an allergy-free home.

9. Check Foundation Vents

A house with a crawl space has vents along the foundation walls. The vents provide air circulation that helps prevent excess moisture and mold growth, and they prevent critters from taking up residence underneath your home. The screens collect leaves and other debris from fall and winter. Spring is a great time to clean them out and check for damage. Clean the vents by hand or use a shop vacuum. Repair any damaged screens — critters can get through even the smallest holes.

10. Clean The Grill

Your grill has most likely collected dust during fall and winter. Help your grill live a long life with these maintenance tips, whether you have a charcoal or gas grill. 

11. Prep Your Garden

You can't have a successful garden without selecting the right plants. Should you pick annuals or perennials? Learn the difference between these two types of plants to help you grow a lush garden. 

12. Test Smoke Alarms

Test smoke alarms and CO detectors, and change out batteries as needed. It's cheap, only takes a few minutes and can save your family's lives. 

13. Clean Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor entertaining season is just around the corner. Learn the best ways to clean all outdoor furniture, from plastic to canvas. 

Prepping your home for a new season is one of the best ways to ensure that all systems are a go and operating at their highest efficiency. That means less energy gets wasted and allows you spend money on things that matter the most. To get more home energy insights and savings tips, subscribe to our blog.