May Checklist for a Smooth-Running Home
Sweep into wonderful weather by prepping your home for outdoor pleasures and giving accumulated muck the boot
May is the perfect time to prepare your house, inside and out, for warmer days and more time spent outdoors. Whether it's cleaning the grill, maintaining air conditioners, organizing the garage or touching up paint, each item on our checklist this month will help you get your home ready so you can sit back and enjoy the good stuff — barbecues with family and friends, a gentle breeze flowing through the screen door or the simple pleasure of sitting on your porch and watching the world go by.
Clean items on open shelves. Items not frequently used can gather a crazy amount of dust and grease if they are stored in the kitchen on open shelves. Give each piece a quick wash in a tub of warm, soapy water. Rinse and allow everything to dry before replacing.
Clean or replace entry mats. A new doormat outside and a fresh, colorful rug inside the door will make for a cheery entrance. If your mats are still in good shape, shake them out well outdoors and spot clean.
Check safety devices. Check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and check expiration dates on fire extinguishers. Replace as needed.
Check safety devices. Check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and check expiration dates on fire extinguishers. Replace as needed.
Clean the washer and dryer. If your washing machine has one, run the cleaning cycle on it; if not, run the washer with a few cups of white vinegar on the hottest setting to clean it. Scrub inside the lid of the washer and remove lint from the dryer hose.
Launder curtains and slipcovers. Toss machine-washable items in the washer and take the rest to the dry cleaner, or hand wash and air dry them. If you don't want to iron curtains, try hanging them up while they're still slightly damp — their own weight should help the wrinkles fall out within a day or two.
Stain decks and fencing. Protect your wood and prepare for a season of outdoor lounging by washing decks and wood fences thoroughly and giving them a fresh coat of stain.
Clean the grill. Uncover your grill and give the grates a good scrubbing to get ready for barbecue season.
Clean the grill. Uncover your grill and give the grates a good scrubbing to get ready for barbecue season.
Maintain and repair garden paths. Create neat edges, fill in gravel paths with fresh gravel and replace or reposition broken stepping stones.
Check irrigation systems and hoses. Turn on the irrigation system and take a walk through your yard to make sure everything is working properly. Make adjustments and repairs as needed.
Check irrigation systems and hoses. Turn on the irrigation system and take a walk through your yard to make sure everything is working properly. Make adjustments and repairs as needed.
Clean out the shed and garage. This is a biggie! Divide the job over several weekends and plan a yard sale at the end to get rid of excess stuff.
See ways to make more money and have fun at a yard sale
See ways to make more money and have fun at a yard sale
Put in screen doors. Get ready for warmer days by hanging screen doors at every entrance. If you already have screen doors, now is a good time to check for holes and tears. Learn more about the maker of this screen door here.
Enhance curb appeal. Small changes like swapping out house numbers and refreshing window box plantings can make a big impact.
Tell us: What projects are you tackling around the house this month?
Enhance curb appeal. Small changes like swapping out house numbers and refreshing window box plantings can make a big impact.
Tell us: What projects are you tackling around the house this month?
Service air conditioners. Replace filters on window units, and if you have central air conditioning, get it professionally serviced.