Springtime has officially arrived and that means that the days will be getting longer, the weather will be warming up, and you’ll soon be able to get out and enjoy the fresh spring air. Spring weather often gives people the energy to clean their home and purge unnecessary items that may have accumulated throughout the year. Here is a checklist of maintenance and spring cleaning to-dos that will get your home looking great. #1: Get rid of the clutter. If you’re tired of dealing with clutter around the house, start going through your belongings and get rid of what you don’t need or want anymore. Start by clearing out your closets, then graduate to larger spaces like the garage. Set a pile aside for donations and another pile for items that you would like to resell either in a garage sale or one of the many swap/sell sites online. #2: Freshen up paint. Once you’ve cleaned out the rooms that you want in your house, take a close look and determine if a new coat of paint could make things look fresher. A freshly painted room can do wonders for the look and feel of your home. If the outside of your house needs new paint, springtime is a great time to do that as well because the weather is not hot. This can also help create better curb appeal. #3: Replace batteries in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s easy to forget to check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors! Every spring, make it a priority to check and if needed, change the batteries in the smoke detectors as well as the carbon monoxide detectors around your home. This is simple to do and it can keep your family safe in the event of an emergency. #4: Clean the gutters. Springtime weather can be sunny one day, then rainy the next. Make sure your gutters are clear of dirt, debris, and leaves, so they can drain properly. If they are clogged, this could lead to water damage and drainage in areas that you don’t want it, including the basement or crawlspace. #5: Get your furnace serviced. Annual servicing of your furnace/HVAC system is important. A qualified heating and cooling company will check both the inside and outside of your system, clean it, and make sure everything is in working order so you can head into spring and summer with no unexpected issues.