Spring Cleaning & Home Maintenance Checklist for 2023

Ignore that snow falling from the sky outside your window, spring is just around the corner, and there is no better time than now to start preparing your home for the change in seasons.

From inspecting your roof to staining your deck, spring is the perfect time to give your house the TLC it so desperately deserves.

Use this checklist to complete all the cleaning, inspections, and repairs your home needs before summer.

Spring Tasks For the Inside of Your Home

Inspecting and cleaning the inside of your home, especially after spending more time indoors, is essential to kick off the warmer weather.

1. Deep Cleaning Your Home

It only makes sense to start your spring home maintenance checklist with some spring cleaning!

Focus your cleaning on those hard-to-reach, out-of-sight locations that are often neglected in your regular cleaning routine.

Start by removing accumulated dust from the top of cabinets, light fixtures, and trim work.

Move large pieces of furniture and appliances out of the way to clean behind and beneath them.

Clean your house linens that don’t make it into the regular wash cycle, like drapery, shower curtains, and area rugs.

It's also a good time to wash and put away your duvets or comforters for the winter, and to take out linens and blankets more appropriate for warmer temperatures.

For items with fabric that cannot be removed, such as carpet and upholstered furniture, consider purchasing a steam cleaner.

Use good, old-fashioned elbow grease to scrub those difficult-to-clean areas in your bathrooms and kitchen.

In places where moisture may cause mold to develop, sparingly apply the mildew-removing products.

Get Professional Help Cleaning Your House

Hiring a professional cleaner can make your home look spic-and-span in no time flat. All the hard work is done for you, so why not give it ago?

Remember That Organization Is Also a Part of Cleaning

Cleaning the whole of your home may also be a great opportunity to get some home organization done. This is the perfect opportunity to look through your clutter and upgrade your storage systems.

Another great idea is to purchase and install new organizational systems in your home, such as closet and pantry systems, as well as a system for your garage.

2. Inspect Your Attic & Basement

Besides storing away your holiday decorations, you probably haven’t visited your unfinished attic or basement in some time.

While you were gone, there is a chance mold started growing or unwanted pests have moved in.

These areas are prone to moisture problems that can intensify during the winter months.

Check your walls for stains indicating moisture or black splotches indicating mold.

To prevent excess moisture in your basement or attic, ensure your walls are properly insulated and that there is adequate ventilation in and out of the space.

You can also remove moisture by setting-up a dehumidifier.

In your basement, check that your sump pump is functioning properly and not clogged. Inspect your basement walls for holes or cracks that could be allowing moisture in.

3. Replace Your Filters

Swapping out your HVAC filters is a well-known part of routine house maintenance, but what about the other filters in your home?

Your range hood in the kitchen will likely have a filter that needs to be cleaned as it collects dust and grease over time. If you have a built-in water filter under your sink or in your fridge, this should also be replaced every few months.

Every homeowner knows to clean their dryer filter after every load, but did you know your washer also has a filter?

Consult the owner’s manual to locate your washing machine filter and determine how often it should be cleaned.

Additionally, you will find filters in your air conditioning unit, heat pump, humidifier, and furnace that need regular cleaning and/or replacing.

4. Wash Windows Inside and Out

Start by fully cleaning your windows. Open them up and let the fresh spring breeze in. Remove built-up dust and dirt from all of the corners and edges.

If you removed your window screens during the winter, grab them from storage and begin to re-install.

If your screens remained in-place, check them for damage and patch up any holes that could let insects inside.

If your windows caused a draft throughout the winter, it may be a good time to consider replacing them with properly-installed, energy-efficient alternatives.

With the warmer weather approaching, spring into early summer is the ideal time for a window installation project.

5. Service AC Unit

Just as you serviced your furnace before the winter season, it is time to service your air conditioning unit before those hot and humid days are here.

Ideally, you will task a professional HVAC technician to inspect your AC unit and make sure it is in good working order. They will also inspect the ductwork and vents throughout your home.

You can take steps to prepare the unit yourself by swapping out the filter, checking the hose connection for any leaks, cleaning around the unit, and spraying down the interior fins.

Spring Prep for the Outside of Your Home

Much like the way you would inspect and clean the inside of your home, it's equally important to do the same for your home's exterior.

Cleaning out your gutters and closing any gaps or crack could help you avert disaster later in the season.

1. Inspect Roof & Chimney

Depending on where you live, snow, rain, wind, and other weather conditions can take a toll on your roof over the course of a winter season. You will want to make sure your roof wasn’t damaged during these events.

You do not necessarily have to get on top of your roof in order to inspect it. View your roof from every angle that you can from ground level.

Be on the lookout for loose shingles, holes, or other signs of damage. If you want to inspect your roof from up above, be sure to take your safety seriously by following recommended protocols for ladder usage.

You should also inspect your masonry chimney. Check that there are no loose bricks or stones and that all of the joints between them are intact. It is important that moisture has no way to enter your chimney.

2. Clean Gutters

After the snow stops falling and before the spring rain begins, set aside an afternoon to clean your gutters. Clogged gutters can cause moisture damage, insect infestations, or even structural foundation issues.

Remove built-up leaves, dirt, and other debris so that rainwater is clear and runs freely through your gutters and downspouts. If you come across any damaged pieces of gutter, now is the time to replace them.

Follow proper ladder safety procedures if you plan to clean the gutters yourself. Take your time and reset the ladder as often as you need to complete the work.

While you are cleaning your gutters, check for signs of water staining along your siding. This reveals a leak or poor routing of your gutter system that should be addressed.

3. Check for Holes, Cracks, and Gaps

It is easy for water and insects to find their way into your home through both small and large openings. Walk around the perimeter of your home and look for new holes or cracks that may have developed or grown over the winter season.

In most cases, these holes or cracks can be sealed with a bead of caulk. In addition to repairing holes, make sure the caulking around your doors and windows is sufficient.

Certain cracks, such as those in structural foundation walls, could allude to larger issues and should be professionally inspected.

In addition to inspecting your home for cracks, check your driveway, walkways, retaining walls, or other exterior structures. Freezing and thawing throughout the winter can exacerbate any existing issues.

4. Touch-Up Finishes

While finishes such as paint and stain help your home look beautiful, they also protect it from the elements. Through the change of seasons, it is likely these finishes will wear away and require touch-ups.

Your wooden decks, stairs, and railings should be resealed or receive a fresh coat of stain every couple of years. Consider a moisture-resistant, waterproofing sealer in order to enhance the longevity of your wooden structures.

If you are feeling inspired by the changing of the seasons, consider giving your front door, trim, or even your entire home a fresh paint color. Use shades such as dark blues, greens, browns, and beiges that never go out of style.

5. Inspect Outdoor Systems

Constant freezing and thawing can be a pain point for exterior utilities, especially those that use water. Inspect your sprinkler system, hose bibs, and yard drainage for any potential damage this could have caused.

Once summer is approaching, run your sprinkler system to ensure it is functioning properly. Sprinkler heads can easily be damaged by snow plows or another winter nuisance; inspect each to make sure none are broken. Also, check for leaky valves within your sprinkler system.

Similarly, exterior hose bibs can crack in the winter. Turn on the water to your hose bibs to check for leaks. If you have drain grates in your yard for drainage, make sure they are in good condition and clear of any debris.

When to Hire a Professional for Home Maintenance

While most of the tasks on this list can be completed in an afternoon with the tools in your garage, certain items are better left to the pros.

You will be better off hiring a professional to complete these spring home maintenance tasks:

HVAC Maintenance

There is a reason HVAC technicians are required to be certified.

These professionals will understand all of the inner workings of your system and be able to complete a thorough maintenance procedure while recommending necessary repairs.

Masonry Repair

Masons are extremely talented tradespeople that know chimneys inside and out.

Masonry is an integral part of working fireplaces and supporting structural walls, therefore hiring a professional is the safest choice.

Tasks Involving Ladder Usage

Most homeowners are not sufficiently trained in proper ladder usage.

Ladders are rated for certain weight limits and restricted to certain activities.

Unless you have experience with regular ladder usage, consider hiring a pro for gutter cleaning and roof inspections.

Starting Your Spring the Right Way

Completing all of these spring home maintenance tasks will take a large time commitment, but is essential in keeping your home functioning for many years to come.

Spread out the list across an entire month, call on your friends and family for help, and you will be done in no time!