Why is March the Best Time to Start Spring Cleaning and Home Maintenance in Amherst?
As the snow melts and the days grow longer around Amherst, March marks the perfect time to transition your home from winter wear to spring readiness. The cold months often leave behind a mess—tracked-in salt and dirt, clogged gutters, and winter damage to your roof or exterior. By tackling deep cleaning and preventive maintenance early, you can prevent costly repairs, improve indoor air quality, and get a jump on outdoor projects before the busy spring season.
Whether you’re an Amherst homeowner looking to maintain your rental investment or a homeowner wanting to do the job yourself, these essential March tasks will set you up for success. Amherst Property Management lists the top cleaning tasks to address for March.
What are interior cleaning jobs for homes?
The winter months can leave your home feeling stuffy, dusty, and cluttered. A thorough spring cleaning not only makes your space look and feel better, but also helps improve air quality and overall livability.
What’s the best way to clean floors and carpets?
With so much salt dumped on the roads, sidewalks, and walkways this year. Winter footsteps likely tracked in salt, dirt, mud and water, which can damage flooring over time. Vacuum carpets thoroughly, use a carpet cleaner or steam cleaner to remove deep-set grime, and mop hardwood or tile floors to restore their shine. If you have area rugs, take them outside for a good shake and let them air out in the sun.
Useful Tip: If your carpets have stubborn salt stains, mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spritz the affected area, and blot with a clean cloth. This should remove the white salt ring.
Why should you declutter and organize storage areas in March?
After months of indoor living, storage spaces like closets, basements, and garages can become cluttered with unused items. Spring is the perfect time to sort through seasonal gear, donate or discard what you no longer need, and organize tools and equipment for the warmer months ahead.
As the months get warmer, indoor places attract mold and mildew, which is toxic to occupants and can seriously damage your property.
Useful Tip: If you have holiday decorations taking up valuable garage space, store them in labeled bins and move them to higher shelves to free up room for gardening tools and summer gear. Don’t leave holiday lights up year-round.
How Often Should You Replace HVAC Filters, and Why Now?
Your heating system has worked overtime during the winter, and dirty air filters can reduce efficiency and indoor air quality. Replacing filters in March ensures your home is circulating clean air as allergy season approaches.
Some filters are located in ceilings, others in the furnace. Take a picture of the old one and take that to the big box store, or order online.
Useful Tip: Check your HVAC system’s manual for filter replacement recommendations. Most systems require a new filter every 1-3 months, especially if you have pets or allergies so buy these in bulk for a better discount.
How Do You Ensure Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Are Working?
Home safety is a year-round priority, but March is an ideal time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors before the start of grilling and outdoor fire season. Spot-check all of your detectors. Run the test and ensure it’s working, when in doubt contact the fire department which can check this for you. For most landlords, having this checked by the fire department is a requirement.
Useful Tip: Press the test button on each detector, and if the alarm doesn’t sound, replace the batteries or the unit itself if it’s older than 10 years.
Why Should You Clean and Reseal Grout in Bathrooms and Kitchens?
Moisture and soap buildup during winter can lead to mold and mildew in tiled areas. Cleaning and resealing grout prevents damage and keeps your home looking fresh.
Useful Tip: Use a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub grout, then apply a grout sealer to protect against future stains and moisture buildup. Another good product is a mold treatment, but follow the instructions as it is toxic when in contact with skin, and eyes though it does work well.
How Can You Protect Your Home’s Exterior in Early Spring?
Winter can be tough on a home’s exterior, from roof damage caused by ice dams to clogged gutters that can lead to water damage. Tackling these essential maintenance tasks in March ensures that your home is ready to withstand spring rains and the transition into warmer months. Always take extreme caution when getting on your roof, no matter how low or high it is.
When should I check my gutters and downspouts?
Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow, leading to foundation damage, roof leaks, and basement flooding. March is the best time to clear out leaves, ice buildup, and debris before heavy spring rains.
Useful Tip: Use gloves and a gutter scoop to remove debris, then flush gutters with a garden hose to ensure proper water flow. Another method that works well, although messier, is using a leaf blower to blast it out. If you plan to power wash afterward, then this is a good option.
How do I know if my roof is damaged in winter?
Snow and ice can cause shingles to loosen or crack, leading to leaks and structural damage. A visual roof inspection in March can help you catch issues early before April showers make them worse. If you are uncomfortable getting on your roof, reach out to Amherst Property Management.
Useful Tip: Stand back and look for missing or curling shingles from the ground. If you notice damage, schedule a professional roof inspection before minor issues turn into costly repairs.
When and why should I wash my windows and screens?
Winter grime can make your windows look dull and block natural light. Washing your windows and screens in March helps brighten up your home and improves air circulation as the weather warms.
Useful Tip: Mix warm water and a few drops of dish soap to clean window glass. Remove screens and gently scrub them with a soft-bristle brush to clear away dust and dirt, or spray them with a power washing. If they need to be replaced, contact Amherst Property Management.
Is spring the best time to power wash my home, deck, and driveway?
Sidewalks, patios, and driveways often accumulate salt, dirt, and mildew from winter weather. A power wash in March removes built-up grime and prevents slip hazards. If you didn’t wash your home in the fall, spring is a good time to remove green mildew build up which occurs frequently in houses in Amherst.
Useful Tip: Rent or buy a pressure washer to blast away dirt. Use a concrete cleaner for stubborn stains. Take your time and don’t go too deep with the spray, which will cause more damage.
How Do You Prepare Lawn Equipment for Spring?
Before the growing season begins, make sure your lawn mower and gardening tools are in working order. Dull blades can damage grass, and a neglected mower may not start when you need it. Nothing is worse than a dull lawnmower blade. Take the time or call Amherst Property Management so we can help you sharpen your tools.
Useful Tip: Sharpen mower blades, check oil levels, and inspect spark plugs to ensure smooth operation when it’s time to mow. And don’t forget to properly store your winter tools, like snowblowers.
Why Is March Maintenance Essential for a Healthy Home?
Spring cleaning and home maintenance in March set the stage for a stress-free transition into warmer months. Tackling both interior and exterior tasks early prevents major repairs, improves indoor air quality, and makes your home a more comfortable place to live.
If you’re a homeowner looking to handle these tasks yourself, follow these steps to keep your property in top condition.
If you’re a rental property owner in Amherst, Amherst Property Management can take care of seasonal maintenance so you don’t have to. From gutter cleaning and power washing to interior touch-ups, we handle it all! Contact us today!
