1. Squeaky-Clean
Windows
Your melancholy
winter outlook may have been the responsibility of what you were looking out of
-- dirty windows. Winter storms can leave a nasty film on the glass; much like
slushy, nasty roads can make your tires look gross.
First you will want to tackle your screens, in preparation
for those perfect, sunny, breezy spring days that just call for you to open the
windows. Take the screens off and take them outside for a tender bath with a
hose. If they're especially dirty, you might want to clean them with some soap
and water and a brush -- that long-standing; dirt look is exactly the kind of
depressing winter sight we're trying to remove.
Tip: Start with
the outside windows before the inside, or you won't be able to tell whether
they're actually clean or not.
2. Get Those Leaves
Out of the Gutter
Post-wintertime,
there are a lot of things you know you're supposed to do but don't actually
feel like doing. Cleaning your gutters is probably one of them, but believe us
-- you don't want water damage to your house. And at least when you clean
gutters in the spring, you have blue skies and white clouds as a backdrop.
Once you're on that ladder, you're going to need to get rid
of all the leaves, twigs and other junk that's collected in your gutter. If
you're doing this by hand instead of with some sort of scoop, we recommend
gloves, this way you don’t cut yourself on exposed pointy metal or get dirtier
than you have to.
3. Sort It Out-Uncluttering
the Cluttered
For a lot of people,
the garage is a big, cluttered storage closet -- you throw in all the unwanted
stuff you can't find a home for, shut the door and hope for the best.
With your new, sunshine-induced lease on life, it's time to
face the task and get it over with so that when you need that cooler in June,
you won't be tripping on rakes and rummaging through bug-infested boxes.
Before you start organizing, you'll need to assign and
arrange areas: Perhaps there's a hobby area in one corner and workshop
equipment in another. Decide where these will go, then move on to figure out
how to store everything.
After all, the biggest need for many people is storage
space. Installing cabinets, shelves, racks and hooks may help create more
storage. Use boxes, baskets and old storage containers for things such as
paints, screws, nails, etc.
And when you find that weird key that doesn't fit any of
your locks, old electrical wires or things you think you want to keep
"just in case", you should find a junk box for those too.
4. Identify Your Weak
Areas
During the winter,
you're mostly worried about the inside of your home. But now that your family
and the pets are all spending more time outside, it's time to take a look at
possibly upgrading your fences.
Rot is the primary thing to look for in a wooden fence,
along with loose rails and any kind of wobbly parts. If it's been a while since
the wood’s been treated, it's might be a good idea to check to see if bugs have
chewed their way around, too.
With a metal fence, you'll want to make sure there aren't
any holes or places where it's pulling away from the ground. Make sure you are
digging deep enough into the ground to prevent this occurrence.
5. De-leaf and
De-clutter the Yard
Your yard has spent
the winter feeling battered and neglected-- and possibly suffocating under a
layer of snow. Prepare for a lush lawn and a flourishing garden by getting rid
of soggy, old leaves blocking your flowerbeds and grass.
Want to avoid spending the day after your leaf-raking spectacular
with a sore back? Switch sides while you're raking (we can all be somewhat
ambidextrous for a day) and don't twist your torso so much. If you're tossing
leaves over your shoulder, you need to quit that, too -- your body doesn't use those
motions on a daily basis, so avoid the icepacks and ibuprofen tomorrow by working
smarter not harder.
6. Roll It On
For many of us,
spring calls for a new wardrobe. For your house, that might mean a new coat of
paint.
Weather can really take a toll on your paint job. If your
formerly immaculate shutters are looking a few shades duller or more faded-out
than before, it might be time for a touch-up. Same goes for the garage door and
your front door -- what's more welcoming than a well-taken-care-of front when
you pull in the driveway from a long day at work?
7. Wash the Winter
Blues Away
After a hard winter,
your home sweet home may be in need of more of a scrub than rain can truly
provide. Spring might be a good time to look into pulling out that pressure
washer to wipe away all the dirt and grime. Certain kinds of siding can't take
the pressure, as this may cause peeling paint, so make sure you've got the
right type and you can rock and roll. A pressure washer can also come in handy
for greasy driveways and wooden decks -- just check to see that you've got the
right amount of pressure for each job.
Tip: Don't own a pressure washer? Check your
local hardware store to see if you can rent one. Not only will you get the
benefit of a good wash, but the right advice as to how and use it.
8. Separate the Weeds
from the Blooms
After you've spent a whole day sorting screws in your
garage, you might want to pull your hair out. Exert that energy in a more
productive way instead. Start with yanking up weeds. There's something very satisfying
about tearing up pesky weeds before they return to terrorize your lawn and
garden.
Haven't satisfied your need for yard carnage? Pull out a
sharp blade and prune your overgrown shrubs. Snipping off the dead bits makes
way for new ones to grow. Some people wait until after the flowering shrubs
have bloomed to do the pruning, but that may not be strongest for the shrub
(even if the flowers seem easy on the eyes).
9. Getting Down to
the Essentials
It's not really
summer until someone starts barbecuing. That's why spring is the perfect time
to get your poor, neglected patio or deck in tiptop shape. Remove the dirt and
cobwebs with a broom first. If you have plastic furniture, bust out the hose
and wash it down. No one wants to sit down on dirty cushions, so do some deep
cleaning and then invest in vinyl protectant to keep them looking fresh.
Re-introduce the grill in your life. You're going to need a
good degreaser, a wire brush and a healthy lack of respect for greasy,
charcoal-y accumulation.
10. Rinse and Re-staining
Everybody likes
fungus on the deck! Oh wait, just kidding no one likes that -- or mildew, dirt
or weather-beaten areas for that matter. It's tempting to just bleach the whole
thing, but don't give in.
Pressure wash the deck and -- this is easy
enough -- use an actual deck-cleaner solution. When you're done with all the
washing, it's time to re-stain. There are finishes and colors a-plenty, so
you’ll be able to find whatever it is you desire.
Tip: Look for something with a protective finish to repel
water and UV rays.
While
driving, there
