With the temperature rapidly dropping and the sun tucked away in the clouds, it’s not too late to tackle some final home maintenance projects before winter hits home full-force. Here are a few things to check off the list:

1. Clear up Your Garden/Yard

In case you haven’t done so, you don’t want your luxurious outdoor furniture to be damaged by the chilly and damp winter weather. Move all your furniture indoors or protect them with a firm, waterproof furniture cover. If you have small pots or plants that can be damaged by the cold, go ahead and move them indoors to give your living space fresh decor.

2. Give Your Windows a Quick Wash

Dirty windows are unattractive any time of the season. But according to Houselogic, dirty window glass can cut daylight by as much as 20%. To chase away winter blues with some warmth and liveliness of sunlight, Houselogic recommends homeowners to clean their windows with a homemade non-toxic solution that is made of:

• 2 cups of water
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of eco-friendly dish detergent
• 1/4 cup of white vinegar

Put your homemade solution in a spray bottle and apply generously to your window glass. Wipe the glass down with a clean cloth so you can enjoy maximum natural lighting even on cloudy winter days.

3. Clean & Inspect Your Heating Systems

Winter temperature can sometimes be very unforgiving. To keep you and your loved ones comfortable, you need to have a functional heating system to warm up your house. As DIY Network explains, “Home heating systems that aren’t properly maintained may be less than 50 percent efficient.” Before turning on the heat, it’s important for homeowners to turn off the fuel supply and electrical power and perform a comprehensive inspection of their furnace. This includes checking the wiring system as well as changing your air filter. Additionally, homes with a fireplace should give their chimney a proper cleaning and inspection before sparking up the logs. To eliminate the probability of fire hazard, ThisOldHouse also recommends homeowners use a spark guard to keep flames from shooting out of the firebox.

4. Seal up Your Home

Windows and doors are entryways for not only people, but also air. When not sealed properly, cold air can infiltrate your home and compromise the temperature of your home. Don’t let that happen. Seal or caulk your windows and doors to make sure that the warmth stays in and the chill stays out. Finalize your window treatments with heavy drapes for a formal, sophisticated touch.

 

 

 

 

 

Author Bio: Paul Kazlov is a “green” home remodeling enthusiast and an industry pioneer for innovation in home renovation. Paul writes for the Global Home Improvement blog and strives to educate people about “green” products such as metal roofing and solar. Follow him on Twitter @PaulKazlov.