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Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring! It’ll be here before we know it (and for some of us around the country it couldn’t come sooner!) Follow the tips below to make sure your home is ready for spring.

Clean Your Gutters
Grab a ladder and check your gutters for debris. Remove as much as you can with your hands (Don’t forget to wear gloves). Remove leftover gunk with a hose. Push the hose into the downspout to flush the downspout of any gunk that may still be present. Also, be sure your downspout is channeling water at least 5 feet away from your home.

Scrub Walls, Baseboards, and Outlets
Wipe down all the walls inside your home — living areas, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms — use a sponge with mild soap and water. Don’t forget about your baseboards and outlets. It may make it easier to remove outlet covers if they need more of a deep clean (make sure to completely dry outlet covers before replacing.) If your baseboards have dust and pet dander, soap and water may just spread that around, a good trick is to take a fabric softener sheet and wipe down the baseboards. 

Replace Filters
Replace all filters including water, range hood and air vent filters. You should replace these filters every 3-6 months, depending on the type of filter you have.

Clean Faucets and Showerheads
Unscrew the aerators located on the faucets and showerheads - soak them in equal parts vinegar and water mixture. Let them soak for about an hour then rinse with warm water and place back. This can help with water flow as well by removing grime and gunk.

Check Foundation Vents
A house with a crawl space has vents along the foundation walls. The vents provide air circulation that helps prevent excess moisture and mold growth, they also help prevent critters from setting up lodging underneath your home. The screens collect leaves, gunk, and other debris from fall and winter. Spring is a great time to clean them out and check for damage. Clean the vents by hand or use a heavy duty vacuum. Repair damaged screens — animals and rodents can get through even the smallest of holes.

Clean the Grill
Your grill has most likely collected dust and debris during fall and winter. Help your grill live a long life whether you have a charcoal or gas grill. Use a cleaning utensil and soapy water to remove any gunk that has accumulated on the outside or inside of your grill. Once you’ve scrubbed down the grill, use a towel to dry it. Consider painting the exterior of the grill with a rustproof metal paint. You can also apply a thin layer of vegetable oil to prevent food from sticking to the grates. Doing this can also help prevent moisture which leads to rust. (Do not use an aerosol can of vegetable oil, as aerosol cans have been known to explode near flames.) Coat a dish rag with a small amount of oil and use that to coat the grill. Parts like handles, knobs and wheels that are beyond saving are inexpensive to replace. Remember to check your
gas tank if you have a gas grill at the start of the grilling season and check it often. Keep an extra tank on hand to ensure the food never goes cold. If you have a charcoal grill, make sure you have plenty of charcoal handy as well. Be sure to check out your grill's  owners manual before cleaning for warranty instructions.

Clean Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor entertaining season is just around the corner. Wipe down outdoor furniture for Wrought Iron and Plastic Furniture wipe with a clean cloth dampened with a mixture of water and a mild dishwashing detergent. For Teak or Wicker furniture, use a soft scrub brush dampened with water and a mild oil-based soap. Rinse by hosing down.