A home is the biggest investment most people ever make. Proper maintenance not only makes your home a more enjoyable place to live day-by-day – it also helps protect your investment for years to come.

Coldwell Banker has worked with homeowners and sellers of all kinds for over a century. In the process, we’ve collected a vast trove of knowledge about every aspect of homeownership. There are a number of checks, cleaning to-dos, and replacements that should be done every year – and it helps to have a regularly monthly schedule. The suggestions below will help keep you on track all year long!

January - Decluttering and Organizing

• Take down, clean and store holiday ornaments, decorations and exterior lights.
• While you’re making room for new things after the holidays, go through your closets and get rid of things you haven’t used for a year.
• Do end-of-year accounting and set up a folder for the current year’s taxes.

February - Bathroom Once-Over

• Remove and replace any worn or crumbling caulk or grout in and around bathtubs, sinks and toilets.
• Vacuum vent fan covers.
• Clean faucet aerators and shower heads.
• Make sure your toilets are in good working order and not running. Consider replacing them with newer, more efficient models. (Ask your water provider if they offer rebates!)

March - Kitchen Check-In

• Clean the range hood filter.
• Wipe shelves clean, check expiration dates on all products, and toss anything old.
• Clean your refrigerator and oven.

Don’t forget to move your clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time. We also suggest getting into the habit of testing your smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries at these times of the year.

May – Bedroom Reboot

• Thoroughly clean all bedding (bedspread, blankets, sheets, mattress protector).
• If you have a duvet insert, have it professionally cleaned.
• Change bedding for summer months, if desired.
• Go through your drawers and closets and donate old items that you haven’t worn for a while.
• Rotate and flip mattress as needed.

June - Let the Sun Shine In

• Wash the inside and outside of your windows (once the rainy season has stopped).
• Inspect and wash window and door screens, and repair any with holes.
• Make sure all doors and locks are working properly and in good condition.
• Clean tracks and lubricate hinges.
• Clean drapes, dust blinds and shutters.

July - A Fresh Coat of Paint

• Inspect the exterior of your home. Scrape, caulk and paint any wood surfaces that have peeled or weathered.
• Inspect interior walls and ceilings for cracks or bulges, and patch and paint as needed.
• Clean and seal decks.

August - A Breath of Fresh Air

• Check and clean dryer vent, air conditioner, range hood and room fans.
• Keep heating and cooling vents clean and make sure they’re not blocked by furniture or drapery.

September - Winter Is Coming

• Check the weather stripping around your windows and doors, and make any necessary repairs to prepare for cold weather.
• Make sure your refrigerator door seal is tight.
• Caulk any drafts in your basement, such as around your dryer vent.
• Make sure your roof is in good condition and not missing any shingles, tiles or slates.

October - Get Fire-Ready

If you have a fireplace, make sure you have the chimney checked out by a professional chimney cleaner before starting the first fire of the season.

Be sure your fireplace tools are in working order. Pull out your non-flammable rug and place it in front of the fireplace.

Once you start building fires, clean ashes out regularly, ensuring they have completely cooled before discarding.

November - Soft Surface Time

• Vacuum all sofas and pillows.
• Spot clean all upholstery and carpeting. For deeper cleaning, consider hiring professionals to clean your upholstery and carpeting.

Don’t forget to move your household clocks back for Daylight Savings Time – and test your smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries while you’re at it.

December - Miscellaneous

• Clean your garage and get rid of anything you don’t use.
• Neatly organize all of your tools, garden equipment and appliances.
• Go through the house with a screwdriver and tighten screws on drawers, doors and furniture.
• Make a list of everything that needs to be repaired, and if needed, pick up supplies at the hardware store.