March is coming up, and that means it’s almost spring. While that means more time outside, first taking care of repairs and chores around your home is a must. You may be gearing up for spring cleaning by clearing clogged gutters and repainting walls. Add these five tips to your checklist for a complete spring cleaning.
- Closet, Basement and Attic Organization
This is the first thing people think of when they consider spring cleaning. Before you begin to organize anything, sift through the things you own to find things you don’t really need. Ask yourself, “When was the last time this was used? Can anyone else use this?” If you used the item recently, or expect to use it in the near future, keep it and organize it later. If you have no use for it, and it is not damaged, donate it. Is it useless or damaged beyond repair? Trash it. Once you have sorted through these items, organizing can begin. Fred can create built-in cabinetry, including storage units and custom closets to keep your space organized year round.
- Alter Your Doors and Windows
If you removed your screen door this winter, now is the time to reinstall it. Having a screen door will allow you to get all the cooling benefits of a spring breeze without having to turn on a fan or your air conditioner when your home begins to heat up. If your screen door has tears in it, you may be letting too much in, like bugs and other unwanted critters. Replace the damaged screen. This is an easy do-it-yourself project.
- Clean exterior walls
The winter took a toll on many of us and the exteriors of ourhomes were not spared. Salt, rust, dirt and other debris may have built up on the side of your house after snow and rain storms, dulling its beauty. Give the house a facelift by pressure washing it, or tackling tough stains by hand. Be careful, different materials require different cleaning products. To be safe, use soap and water, or call a professional.
- Clean and update your floors
Whether you have wood, titled or carpeted floors in and around your home, refreshing them is necessary to complete your spring cleaning. If your home is carpeted, ask a professional to give the floors a deep clean. If you would rather do that yourself, you can rent a carpet cleaning machine from your local hardware or grocery store. Think that your carpet, wood or tiles need replacing? Call our fred consultants who can give you expert advice and suggestions for replacing or updating them to give your home a fresh new look.
- Switch out old batteries and light bulbs
These small changes can save you money and even save your life. If you haven’t already, switch to energy-efficient light bulbs, like compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs), to improve the look of your room and your energy bill.
After you exchange your bulbs for a more eco-friendly option, take the time to replace the batteries in appliances and tools throughout your home. Changing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will free you from the high-pitched beeping the detectors make to indicate they are running low on power, and more importantly, keep your family safe.
Ready to complete a more involved repair this spring? Contact one of our Fred consultants to help you get the job done!
