While    it's    normal    to    think    about    cleaning   and   home maintenance  in  the spring, there are a lot of things you can do around your  property  in the winter. When the weather outside is  “frightful”,  it's  a  great  time  to  get  things cleaned up inside your home.

Winter home maintenance and cleaning projects can keep your space  safe,  clean,  and  efficient  all  year  long. In addition, you don't  have  to  go  outside  or  worry about facing the elements of a cold and brutal winter.

Keep Things Dry

In  the  winter,  homeowners  face  the  risk  of  excess  moisture,  and depending on where you live, rain and snow can be the main cause of those problems. If you have leaks in your house or any type of gaps in the siding, that moisture could get inside and wreak havoc. 

Too much moisture in your home can cause problems like: 

• Wood rot

• Peeling or chipping paint

• Musty odors

• A clammy feeling to the air

• Wet stains on walls/ceilings

Too  much  moisture  can  also  lead  to  the  development  of  mold,  especially in areas where it’s easy for water to get trapped. For example,  basements  are  often  a culprit when it comes to too much moisture. So, take the time this winter to extend downspouts away  from  your  gutters,  seal  up  cracks,  and  handle any water issues in your basement quickly  before they become bigger (and more expensive!) problems.

Scrub the Kitchen

The  kitchen  is one of the most popular rooms in any house, as it is the place to gather and converse. And if you're one of those people  that  needs a cup of coffee before you do anything else, it's also one of the first places you go in the morning.

Because  the  kitchen sees so much activity, it's easy for it to get messy  quickly.   You  may  have even spent more time in it over the holidays.  So,  now  is  the  perfect  time  to  deep clean your kitchen and prepare it for the rest of the year.

Not  sure  how  to  begin?  It's  always  a good strategy to start with the things that are most noticeable first, and then create a list as you go. It could include things like: 

• Clearing clutter off the counters

• Dusting the top of the refrigerator and cabinets

• Cleaning small appliances

• Scrubbing your oven

• Wiping down your counters

It’s  also  the  perfect  time  to scrub your sink, especially if you have hard water and you've noticed a buildup of limescale. Limescale will typically appear around the faucet as a white, chalky substance. While it isn't harmful to your health, it's not pleasant for you and your guests to look at. Thankfully, you can scrub limescale away with treatments like vinegar, lemon juice, and even Coke!

Make an End-of-Winter Checklist

Spring  is  on  its  way,  but  you  don't  have  to wait for the weather to warm up to see things that need to be upgraded or repaired around  your  home.  Winter  is  a  fantastic  time  to  step  outside  (yes, even in the snow!)  and  give  the  exterior of your home an inspection. Since  winter can damage your paint or siding, make sure everything is in good shape at the end of the season. By doing a thorough  inspection,  you'll  know what needs to be done right away when the weather warms up. Don't forget to check your roof and gutters, too!

It’s  also  the  perfect  time  to  double  down  on your home safety measures. For example, you may want to change out air filters in your  HVAC  unit  before spring arrives. When dust, pollen, and other allergens start to fill the air, you'll want those filters to be clean so they can work properly in your home. 

Finally, remember that winter isn't over yet, and depending on where you live, you might still have to deal with a few more months of snow. So, it's a good time to change the batteries on smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, especially if you utilize a fireplace to stay warm.  

There are so many things that could be added to your list of winter maintenance and cleaning projects. From painting your interior walls to organizing bedrooms, the sky's the limit when it comes to what you can do indoors. So, consider what's most important to you and your home right now. Use these ideas to get started, and you may quickly find you’ll become “addicted” to sprucing up your home for the season.