Your Home’s February To-Do List

I hope to inspire you with my monthly series called “Your Home’s To-Do List.” Each month my blog will highlight things you should consider taking care of in your home for that particular month and for that time of year. I will include basic maintenance reminders but also suggestions for other ways to enhance your home’s value and how to “Dwell” happily.HH-February-do-do-list-300x300 copyI hope to inspire you with my monthly series called “Your Home’s To-Do List.” Each month my blog will highlight things you should consider taking care of in your home for that particular month and for that time of year. I will include basic maintenance reminders but also suggestions for other ways to enhance your home’s value and how to “Dwell” happily.The winter weather usually keeps us inside for most of February. As a homeowner, it’s the perfect time to show your home some love and make it yours not anyone else’s. Consider this time you spend caring and protecting your abode as a “BE MINE” Valentine to your home.Plan your garden.Start reading gardening catalogs, books or internet sites for ideas for the spring. Look around your stark yard right now and consider what flowers, shrubs, and other foliage will grow well in the different spaces. Evaluate what went wrong or right last year.Sketch out a plan and consult a garden pro for guidance. It’s less hectic for them so you’ll get the attention and inspiration you might need. Plus, you’ll save money in the long run since you’ll be more efficient in buying what you need and what will work in your yard.Check furnace filters more often this month.You should change filters regularly but it’s extremely important now when your furnace is cranking out heat. Depending on the type of filter you have and if you have animals, dust, or a smoker living with you, then you may need to up the frequency of changing them. So check them periodically this month.When your filter is cleaner, then your heating system will be more efficient and keep your air cleaner. Your filters need to trap dust and other allergens, especially now that you’re hanging out more inside your home. You might want to hire a professional to clean your air ducts. See our next tip on how to prevent too much dust in your home.Cut down on dust and other winter cleaning tips.Why do houses seem so much dustier in the winter? They tend to get that way since the air is warm and dry. Plus more bodies inside the home create more particles that get stirred up when moving around.Keep your Spring Cleaning scheduled but add a Winter Deep Cleaning for February.

  • Reduce the amount of salt and snow being tracked in by boots with carpets, waterproof mats, and or towels at all of your entrances. Make everyone take off their shoes at the door. This really cuts down on dirt and dust!
  • Vacuum rugs and floors more often to stay on top of dirt and prevent dust buildup. Get those handy Swifter mops for hardwood floors!
  • Dust surfaces regularly too with micro cloths or the Swifter brand dust cloths. Don’t forget some of the out of reach or overlooked spots such as ceiling fans, crown moldings, tops of books, lamp shades and fixtures (even light bulbs now that you don’t replace them as often!), and stovetop hood.
  • Wash the inside of windows. Yes, you can do this in the winter time. No reason to have murky windows until spring.

Keep abreast of all your winter weather tasks for your home.I can't emphasize these items enough, especially after a snow or ice storm!

  • Prevent ice dams on your roofline. Keep your gutters clean of debris and remove snow from your roof as quickly as you can.
  • Brush snow off of nearby trees since limbs can break from the weight of the snow and could damage your house or car. Remember to maintain your trees year round and have them trimmed in warmer weather.
  • Check on your pipes so they don’t freeze. That could cause major water damage.
  • Print out or download the PDF version of my Winter Ready Checklist.

Inspect your mattresses and rugs to take advantage of President’s Day sales.February is a good time to do a once over for all the mattresses and rugs in your home. Believe it or not, you’ll find good sales at this time of year for such items, especially around the long holiday weekend.You spend so much time sleeping that you should have a decent mattress. And, many rug stores offer cleaning services at a discount since it’s not a busy time for them. These are two items you use every day in your home, so why not make them that much better!Make certain rooms (or corners) more special or specialized.Ask yourself how do you use each room OR how you envision using a room in a better way. Rearrange and organize your rooms so that you and your family can use that space for designated activities or needs. Pinterest offers SO many ideas…start brainstorming!

  • yoga or workout area with mats and other equipment nearby;
  • craft/hobby spot to easily work on projects and store items;
  • cozy reading nook or space with throws, pillows, portable lap desk so you’re also comfy with your laptop;
  • gaming zone in your basement with TV, electronics and fun seating;
  • puzzle and board game area for old-school fun, with pop-up card table, puzzle mat, stack of games, etc.
  • spa makeover for your bathroom, with candles, inspiring artwork.
  • coffee space with mugs and machine for serve-yourself ease;
  • bar tray, cabinet, or counter with cocktail mixers, wine glasses, decanters, cute napkins, etc.
  • music corner for instruments, piano, stands, and sheet music; and
  • charging center or centers for your families electronics.

Spark new and creative design ideasUse that reading nook of yours to peruse some decorating books or design blogs. Use Pinterest or Houzz boards for your own idea book. Quiet time on a cold winter day can be very productive for insights. But also remember it’s your home so don’t always be swayed by current trends (that can be outdated later one). Go with what feels comfortable when it comes to colors or design. It’s YOUR home not a showcase home!Start making plans if you want to sell your home this year.Maybe the love is starting to wane and you need more space or a better location than your current home. Determine what needs to be done in your home to make it look its best for buyers. Then schedule those projects for the coming weeks, such as purging stuff, painting rooms or hiring someone to fix anything you’ve left lagging. Also get educated about your neighborhood’s real estate market so you’re ready to price your home correctly.I’ve created a handy PDF List of all my tips so you can access this list from your smart phone or print it out. Enjoy a safe, fun and cozy February in your home!I hope I’ve motivated you to work on some of these projects or at least keep your home’s winter maintenance on track. Let me know if you have any questions or would like to share some of the things you plan for your home in February. More tips to come in my March To-Do List … see you then!

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