Add These To Your Spring Cleaning Routine

Spring cleaning is a tradition, but make sure you add these to your spring cleaning routine. Most only take a few minutes, so get started today!

1. Check your air conditioning and heating equipment before the beginning of a new season.
2. Check and replace your furnace and air conditioning filters. You have several to choose from based on your preferences. Fiberglass filters should be changed every month and HEPA filters can last up to 6 months and can be cleaned with a vacuum nozzle.
3. Most air conditioners have a drainage hole on the base of the cabinet. This hole needs to be kept clear in order for the air conditioner to work properly. It’s a good idea to clear the drainage hole every year.
4. To keep your dehumidifier working properly, remove its housing and the unit dry completely. Vacuum every accessible surface and crevice.
5. Clean your bathroom fans once a year. Take the cover off, wash it in soapy water and clean dirt off the fan blades with a toothbrush. Be sure the power is off when you do this.
6. Check the flappers on your toilet at least once a year. If they are showing their age, replace them before they start leaking and wasting water.
7. Remove all faucet handles and clean their insides to keep the screws from corroding. Use a rust remover if necessary.
8. Make sure you have a fully charged fire extinguisher that you can reach quickly and easily.
9. Inspect and, if necessary, caulk around your home’s windows and doors annually. That will keep out heat and humidity in the summer and cold drafts in the winter – and save money on your utility bills all year round.
10. Open and close all windows. If they do not open easily and close tightly, check the weather stripping and replace if necessary. The best time to caulk a joint outdoors is during the spring or fall. The width of the joint is halfway between its seasonal extremes.

If you add these to your spring cleaning routine, your home will be worry-free from spring right through summer!