When the sun finally starts to shine upon our days longer and there is a more active vibration going around; we know it’s a sign that that time of the year is here again—time for springtime cleaning and home maintenance. However, where do you start, and how do you make sure that everything is covered and in order?

Here’s a list to help you not miss any details or even obvious spots.

Interior

One of the focal points of spring cleaning is the indoors—the place where we spend most of the wintertime and therefore needs the most cleaning. Starting from the most general of maintenance and down to expert help; here is how to make sure your indoor space is glowing.

General cleaning

Spring is a great time to clean all those areas that we generally forget even exist and consequently end up neglecting. In essence, general cleaning refers to getting rid of any settled dust, allergens, and mites that might make your home a less-than-healthy place.

Some general cleaning activities include:

• Vacuuming (upholstered furniture, mattresses, carpets)
• Rent a carpet cleaner
• Dusting/vacuuming (ceiling fans, cabinets, chair rails, window casings, etc.)
• Mop/wash (draperies)
• Clean kitchen & bathroom (beware of grease in the kitchen & mold in the bathroom; they can cause major problems if not cleaned properly)

Attics & basements

Both basements and attics are prone to insects and dampness, which is why it is important to keep them clean and do regular maintenance. You should look for signs of insects, mold, tunneling in the wood, etc.

Some ways you can ensure proper hygiene in attics and basements include:

• Proper insulation
• Proper ventilation
• Dehumidifiers
• Monthly or bi-monthly check-up
• General cleaning of attics & basements

Air conditioning & leaks

Spring is a great time to make sure both your air conditioning appliances and leaks are ready for the warm summer months. While you’re at it, make sure to check the laundry room as well for any signs of corrosion or leaks.

You can take care of your air conditioning by:

• Checking hose connections for leaks
• Changing the filters
• Making sure draining is working properly
• Vacuuming any dust that can affect the air conditioning’s effectiveness
• Calling a professional if anything seems out of the ordinary

Taking care of any leaks includes:

• Checking for clogged drains, leaky faucets, or sweaty drains
• Checking the kitchen & bathroom sinks for any signs of leakage
• Checking any hot water heaters & laundry room for signs of leakage

Exterior

Winters can be tough on our houses, especially when storms are involved. So, to make sure that our house is still up in the upcoming year, it’s smart to check for any kind of signs that something is wrong. There’s a list of inspections you need to make to ensure that no gutters are out of place, windows are holding up solidly, and no shingle has rolled down from the roof.

How do you confirm your house is in mint condition? Check out the lists below.

Roof & chimneys

When it comes to roofs and chimneys, you don’t necessarily have to do any cleaning, as much as perform a check-up to make sure everything is where it needs to be.

For your roof, you can get a pair of binoculars and make sure there are not any:

• missing shingles
• shingles that have shifted (indicating that there are failed fasteners)
• any nail pops (which indicate that they’re pushing shingles up, thus allowing water to come through)

For your chimney, make sure there are no:

• Missing bricks/stones
• Vegetation between bricks/stones
• Signal of water infiltration
• Efflorescence (a white deposit, similar to calcium)

Walls & windows

Make sure there is no sign of trouble around your windows or near gutter downspouts on the exterior walls of your home. If there are any water stains, that might indicate that your gutters aren’t working properly or that there is leakage around your windows.

When doing a walls & windows check-up, ensure there are no signs of:

• Openings
• Damaged areas
• Knots that have popped out
• Water damage or stains
• Moved caulking
• Condensation on windows during winter

Additionally, you want to clean your windows both inside and out using a squeegee/soft cloth and either homemade or store-bought window cleaner. Do not use pressure washers or abrasive cleaners, as they can do more damage than good.

Foundations

Lastly, you want to make sure that your foundation is going strong. For that, ensure that there are no masonry cracks around your house.

If, however, you do spot any such problems, be sure to:

• Not go for a routine caulking
• Call a foundation specialist to take care of it

Outdoor

Last but not least, you will have to clean & upkeep your main summer hang-out area. Whether you have to rake the lawn, clean that grill you haven’t touched, or remove unwanted leaves from your deck, here’s a list of things to ensure you haven’t missed a spot.

Decks & patios

The wood on decks and patios can get worn out and faded, especially after rough winters. Because of this, regular maintenance of such structures is advised and required. However, if you happen to have a stone patio, then a simple hose down will do the trick.

To maintain wood structures, make sure that you:

• Remove any accumulated debris or leaves left
• Clean, stain, and reseal if the wood is faded or worn out
• Look for splintered or missing boards

Lawns

Maintaining your lawn is part of the general upkeep of the outdoor area. It’s finally sunny outside and you can start to take care of the area you will be spending all summer around.

So, to maintain lawn cleanliness during spring, put on your garden boots and do the following:

• Rake the lawn for any fall leftovers
• Make sure all outdoor water systems are working properly
• Make new garden beds for your summer plants
• Make sure your lawn tools are in order

Outdoor furniture & grills

To make sure that all spring and summer pastimes are up to standards, you should make sure that all your outdoor furniture and grill are clean and in good condition. Cleaning these shouldn’t be too much of a hassle, depending on the material, they may simply need a hose down.

In order to keep your grill and outdoor furniture clean you need to:

• Wash your outdoor furniture with a mild detergent
• Check for erosion in case your furniture is metal (and apply spray enamel for protection)
• Check your grill for any obstructions, clogs, grease residue, etc.
• Get rid of any kind of residue on your grill

Spring home maintenance is essential in order to ensure your house is in its greatest condition for years to come, and it’s not always the easiest task to do a deep cleaning of the whole area. However, step by step, from basics and down to outdoor areas, we hope this list helps you start somewhere!

Mold Inspection and Removal

One of the most common issues to find during spring cleaning and maintenance is mold damage. As temperatures start to rise, the snow melts and rain comes in, the chances of mold are much higher. Even just keeping the moisture levels within the home at a higher level can trigger mold growth. Because it can grow almost anywhere given the right conditions, it’s common to find and difficult to remove.

If you do happen to find it in your home, small amounts can be removed with a little baking soda and vinegar. But for larger areas, such as more than two feet, don’t hesitate to call a mold removal professional. Regardless of how far it has already spread, it’s important to have it removed right away to prevent it from spreading or causing health issues.

When looking for a mold removal professional, make sure to call one who is licensed, trained and experienced first. Ensuring they have good reviews can also provide some peace of mind to prevent the issue from returning in the future.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to a local  professional at any time you discover mold damage in your home during spring cleaning or maintenance.