By the tail end of winter, you may feel the urge to freshen the air inside your home and get started on outdoor projects. The occasional warm day offers a promise of the seasonal rebirth to come, prompting the desire to get outside and soak up the sunshine while improving your property.
You probably don’t want to start a garden until everything thaws out, but don’t be discouraged. There are plenty of things you can do now to get your property ready for warmer weather. Here are five tips for prepping your home for the coming of spring.
1. Schedule HVAC Maintenance
It’s common for your body to feel a little soft after a winter of indoor relaxation and decreased physical activity. Well, your air conditioning system may not be in the best shape after months of inactivity, either. Before it’s time to get the cool air flowing full-time, it’s wise to have your heating and cooling units inspected by a professional. Regular HVAC maintenance is essential for a well-functioning system.
Get a jump on the season by having someone check out your HVAC system late in the winter or early in the spring. Waiting until the heat of summer is never a good idea. You could end up on a long service waiting list with an AC unit that doesn’t work in the sweltering heat. In contrast, if you schedule AC maintenance during the slow season, you’re more likely to get prompt service.
2. Inspect Your Roof and Gutters
Winter can be tough on roofs, gutters, and downspouts. This is especially true if you live in a cold climate that gets a lot of snow and ice during the colder months. Winter storms are notoriously damaging to shingles. As spring approaches and snow and ice melt away, it’s wise to visually inspect your roof, gutters, and downspouts. If you spot any indications of damage, schedule maintenance so you can get it handled before the springtime rush.
That said, be very careful when inspecting your roof in the winter. Don’t get on top of it unless there’s no sign of ice and the roof is completely dry. In most cases, simply climbing a ladder will allow you to see if there’s any obvious damage. You can perform a more thorough inspection later in the year when the weather is more accommodating.
3. Clean the Drapes and Upholstery
Indoor air tends to get stagnant and dusty in the winter. Much of that dust settles on drapes and upholstery. This can cause them to look dull and smell less than fresh by the time spring approaches. To freshen up your home in preparation for the changing season, consider having your drapes and upholstery professionally cleaned. Or if you have or are able to rent the right tools, you can save some money by doing the cleaning yourself.
Keep in mind that some fabrics require dry cleaning. Others may be machine washable if you wash them on a gentle setting. Pay close attention to product labels when laundering drapes to ensure you don’t ruin them. Upholstery can be trickier to clean because you can’t simply throw it in the washer or have it dry-cleaned. Either have a professional do this task for you or research how to safely clean the type of upholstery you have.
4. Schedule Carpet Cleaning
If your drapes and upholstery get musty over the winter, your carpet is probably even more stale. Thanks to constant traffic from wet and muddied boots or paws, carpets can get exceptionally dirty in wintertime. As a result, many carpet cleaning professionals have long springtime waiting lists. You can get a head start by scheduling your carpet cleaning appointment before spring officially hits.
Alternatively, you can clean your own carpets if you own or can rent a carpet shampooer. Should you go this route, wait for a relatively warm, dry day. If you shampoo when it’s raining or snowing, your carpets will take longer to dry. You can also speed up the drying process by pointing indoor fans at your carpet and turning them on full blast.
5. Get Out the Spring Decor
Spring might not have officially arrived yet, but it’s not too early to bring it into your home. If you’re tired of looking at winter decor, put it away and get out the spring decorating bins. Many people in the northern hemisphere begin to feel depressed by the time February rolls around. The jolliest holidays of the year are over, leaving behind dreary days, icy roads, and frigid temperatures.
If you’ve contracted a touch of wintertime gloom, brighten up your home with springtime decor. It’s never too early to fill your home with mood-enhancing colors. According to Mental Health America, bright colors such as yellows and oranges stimulate happiness and energy. Other common spring colors include pink and green, which prompt optimism and joy. If you’re short on those emotions right now, get out the floral wreaths and cheerful greenery. You’ll probably feel your mood improve in a matter of minutes.
If you’re antsy to get your home ready for spring, now is a great time to start. Use these five tips to freshen up your indoors and make sure your home’s exterior is in good condition. By the time spring officially arrives, you’ll be ready to tackle more challenging outdoor projects.
