So you bought a house…

Congratulations! Becoming a homeowner is a huge accomplishment! Now comes the fun stuff like decorating your home and hosting parties. Oh yeah, and keeping your gutters clear and your HVAC system in pristine condition, but that’s what this list is for! Save this on your phone and refer to it each month to make sure you’re taking great care of your best (real estate) investment! 

12-Month Homeowner Checklist

January

• STORE CHRISTMAS DECOR IN LABELED BINS
• REPLACE SMOKE ALARM BATTERIES
• CLEAN OUT THE FRIDGE AND WIPE DOWN SHELVES REPLACE SHOWER CURTAIN LINERS
• WIPE DOWN FAN BLADES
• WASH DUVET COVERS AND SHEETS
• ORGANIZE DRESSER DRAWERS AND CLOSETS
• REPLACE BURNT-OUT LIGHT BULBS
• DEEP CLEAN THE OVEN AND WASHING MACHINE
• REMOVE DUST FROM AIR VENTS
• MAKE A LIST OF ITEMS YOU NEED TO STOCK UP ON

February

• WIPE DOWN BASEBOARDS
• DUST BLINDS
• WASH SHOWER CURTAINS
• DEEP CLEAN FLOORS
• FIX ANY CLOGGED DRAINS
• DEEP CLEAN SHOWERS AND TUBS
• CHECK FOR LINT BUILD UP IN YOUR DRYER
• REFRESH AND ORGANIZE THE LAUNDRY ROOM
• ORGANIZE THE SPICE CABINET
• MAKE A LIST OF MAINTENANCE SUPPLIES YOU NEED
• LIST OF WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR HOME

March

• WASH LINENS
• WASH WINDOWS AND PUT ON SCREENS
• SPOT CLEAN FURNITURE
• SWAP OUT YOUR FRONT DOOR MAT FOR SPRING
• FLIP MATTRESSES
• CLEAN KITCHEN BACKSPLASH
• CLEAN OUT AND WIPE DOWN CABINETS
• CLEAN UNDER APPLIANCES
• ORGANIZE PANTRY, THROW OUT EXPIRED PRODUCTS

April

• RE-PAINT YOUR FRONT DOOR
• RE-ARRANGE FURNITURE FOR A NEW VIEW
• DISINFECT DOOR KNOBS AND LIGHT SWITCHES
• WIPE DOWN REMOTE CONTROLS
• WASH ALL SHEETS AND BLANKETS
• MAKE YOUR HOME A CALMING PLACE
• ORDER A PLANT TO BRING LIFE TO YOUR SPACE
• WIPE DOWN PATIO FURNITURE
• WASH BATHROOM RUGS
• CLEAN HARD TO REACH PLACES
• DIFFUSE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR A CLEAN SCENT
• START A GARDEN AND PLANT FLOWERS

May 

• DEEP CLEAN FLOORS
• MAKE A “NO SHOES INDOORS” RULE AND STICK TO IT
• BUY PLANTS TO USE AS NATURAL DETOXIFIERS
• REPLACE WATER FILTERS
• BUY A COTTON SHOWER LINER
• WIPE DOWN LIGHT BULBS AND LIGHT FIXTURES
• SWITCH TO ALL-NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCTS
• D-I-Y YOUR OWN NON-TOXIC ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER
• SWITCH TO DRYER BALLS INSTEAD OF DRYER SHEETS
• CLEAN AIR VENTS AND REPLACE FILTER
• CLEAN INSIDE DRAWERS AND CABINETS

June

• SCHEDULE OUTDOOR PROJECTS
• PLANT BEE-FRIENDLY FLOWERS
• PAINT SOMETHING A POP OF COLOR
• POWER WASH YOUR DECK AND PATIO FURNITURE
• SERVICE YOUR SPRINKLERS
• CLEAN BETWEEN YOUR WINDOWS AND SCREENS
• CLEAN YOUR GRILL GRATES
• INSTALL SCREEN DOORS
• LIGHTEN UP DECOR – EX. BREEZY CURTAINS
• CELEBRATE HOMEOWNERSHIP

July 

• CLEAN EXTERIOR LIGHTS
• LIGHTEN UP LINENS – OPT FOR CRISP WHITE
• ADD SHADE TO THE YARD – PERGOLA / UMBRELLA
• UPGRADE HOME SECURITY FOR SUMMER TRAVEL
• CHECK WINDOW SCREENS FOR HOLES
• GRILL HOMEMADE VEGETABLES
• HAVE A BONFIRE AND ROAST MARSHMALLOWS
• BUY SLIPCOVERS FOR PATIO FURNITURE
• REFURBISH A PIECE OF FURNITURE
• HAVE AN OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT
• STAY ON TOP OF POOL MAINTENANCE

August

• CLEAN AND STORE SUMMER ESSENTIALS
• CLEAN BATHROOM VENT FAN
• CLEAN REFRIGERATOR COILS
• CLEAN CARPETS + FLOORS TO GET RID OF SAND/ DIRT
• ORGANIZE THE GARAGE AND ADD SHELVING
• CLEAN THE GUTTERS
• PREP CLOSETS FOR FALL WARDROBES
• GET CHAIR COVERS AND OUTDOOR STORAGE READY
• CHOP WOOD FOR FALL BONFIRES
• CLEAN OUT THE SUMMER SHOE SHELF
• RUN SPRINKLERS TO KEEP THE YARD GREEN

September

• CHANGE THE OIL IN THE LAWN MOWER
• SERVICE YOUR HVAC SYSTEM
• INSPECT FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
• CLEAN GARAGE AND GARAGE DOOR TRACKS
• INSPECT THE CHIMNEY FOR LOOSE FLASHING OR MISSING MORTAR
• HAVE YOUR CHIMNEY CLEANED AND INSPECTED
• MAKE SURE WINDOWS ARE SEALED TIGHT
• SCHEDULE FURNACE MAINTENANCE
• CLEAN LEATHER FURNITURE
• PLANT MUMS IN POTS BY THE FRONT DOOR

October

• CLEAN YOUR DRYER VENTS
• SEAL YOUR OUTDOOR SURFACES
• FEED AND SEED YOUR LAWN
• INSPECT AND CLEAN OUT YOUR GUTTERS
• CAULK CRACKS AND GAPS ON EXTERIOR
• REPLACE WORN WEATHER STRIPPING + THRESHOLDS
• VISIT A PUMPKIN PATCH OR APPLE ORCHARD
• GIVE YOUR FRONT PORCH A FALL MAKEOVER
• CHECK CARBON MONOXIDE AND SMOKE DETECTORS
• START PLANNING AND SAVING FOR HOLIDAY GIFTS

November

• CHECK PATHS, STAIRS AND RAILINGS FOR SAFETY
• DEEP-CLEAN BATHROOMS
• CHECK BATHTUB CAULK AND REPAIR IF NEEDED
• REMOVE THE LAST OF THE FALL LEAVES.
• RESTOCK EMERGENCY KITS FOR CAR AND HOME
• CLEAN GARBAGE DISPOSAL
• LUBRICATE DOOR LOCKS
• CLEAN (AND FLIP) ALL YOUR MATTRESSES
• GET A HEAD START ON YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING
• MAKE A DONATION TO YOUR LOCAL FOOD PANTRY
• ORDER HOLIDAY CARDS + UPDATE YOUR CONTACT LIST

December

• SWITCH OUT OLD LIGHT BULBS WITH LED
• REMOVE SNOW AND ICE FROM WALKWAYS
• INSPECT/ UPGRADE ATTIC INSULATION + VENTILATION
• SET-UP A GIFT WRAPPING STATION
• INSPECT YOUR WINTER WEATHER SUPPLIES
• .PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES
• STOCK UP ON WATER, NON-PERISHABLES, CANDLES
• CHECK WEATHERSTRIPPING ON DOORS + WINDOWS
• HAVE YOUR FIREPLACE AND CHIMNEY CLEANED
• INSULATE EXPOSED WATER PIPES UNDER HOUSE
• DISCONNECT AND DRAIN GARDEN HOSES