Spring Home Maintenance

www.marthastewart.com/checklists

Inside:

□Check Home-Safety Devices

Replacebatteriesinsmokeandcarbonmonoxidedetectors,rechargereextinguishers,

and test for radon.

□Clean Ceiling Fans

□CleanOuttheRefrigeratorandFreezer

□Clean,Pack,andStoreHumidiers

□Deep-Clean Carpets

Vacuumthoroughly,thenshampoo.

□DustLightbulbs

□GuardAgainstPests

Store dry goods in airtight containers or in the refrigerator; wash pet dishes immediately after

use;placetrashintightlysealedreceptacles.

□Maintain Air Conditioners

Removeandcleanltersandhavecentral-airunitsservicedprofessionally.

□Refresh Bedding

Replaceheavywinterbeddingwithlighterfabrics;vacuumandrotatemattresses.Airout

down comforters before storing for the season.

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Spring Home Maintenance

www.marthastewart.com/checklists

□Replace Storm Windows with Screens

Cleanscreensbyvacuumingthemwiththedust-brushattachment;ifthey’reverysoiled,

wetthemwithahoseandscrubwithasoft-bristlebrushandanall-purposecleanerthat

doesn’tcontainammonia,whichcandiscoloraluminum.Rinsescreenswell,andletdryin

thesunbeforeinstalling.

□TurnOffHeatingSystem;HaveItCleaned

□Wash Glassware that Has Been Stored on Open Shelves

Outside:

□BringPatioFurnitureoutofStorage

Wipeoffdirtandinspectpiecesfordamage.Formoretipsonpreparingyourfurniturefor

theseason,seeourarticleonfresheningupoutdoorfurniture.

□BringWindowBoxes,Planters,andHangingBasketsOutofStorage

□CleanandConditionYourGrill

Forgrill-conditioningguidelines,printourgrill-maintenance checklist.

□Clean, Sharpen, and Oil Garden Tools

□CleanWinterDebrisfromGutters

□HaveYourSprinklerSystemServiced

□OrganizetheGarageandShed

Movewinterequipmenttothebackandbringthelawnmowerandgardentoolstothefront.

□Prepare Garden Beds for Planting

Cover soil with a layer of well-aged compost, and mix with a garden fork.

www.marthastewart.com/checklists

□Prepare the Lawn

Checkforanydeadordamagedareas,cultivateandreseed;aerateifnecessary.

□ReactivateOutdoorFaucets

Removeanyinsulationaroundthem,andturnonthewatersupply.Hookuphosesandtest

them; patch any holes or replace hose if necessary.

□ReacquaintHouseplantswiththeOutdoors

Ifyoubroughtplantsinsideforthewinter,puttheminashelteredplace,suchasaporch,foran

hour,andincreaseexposuregraduallyuntiltheweatherwarmsenoughforfull-timeexposure.

□RemoveProtectiveWinterMulchfromGardenBeds

□Service the Lawn Mower; Fill Gas Tank

□ShakeOutorReplaceDoormats

□StringUptheOutdoorClothesline

□Wash Porch and Patio Floors

Thoroughlysweep,andthenscruboorswithalong-handledbrushandmixtureofall-purpose

cleaner and hot water.