It’s Time to Spring Forward with Daylight Saving! Do These Eight Things Simultaneously

Daylight Saving Time is right around the corner, so we’re getting ready to spring our clocks one hour ahead to get an extra hour of sunlight at the end of the day. This yearly change is a great time to do your other annual tasks— from changing the batteries in your smoke detectors to cleaning your oven. Gear up for spring by getting these chores off your to-do list!

Change Batteries in Your Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors

Keeping up-to-date with your carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors is essential to promote safety and prevent fires in your home. Check the detector’s manufacturer’s guide to make sure you have the right type of batteries and install them correctly. While you’re replacing the batteries, check the detector’s expiration date to see if it needs to be replaced. If you have more than a year to go, put the detector back in its respective spot. If the date is coming up, buy and install new smoke detectors. 

Some smoke detectors are also carbon monoxide alarms, but some aren’t. Carbon monoxide alarms are a must, and if you don’t have them in your home, it’s time to buy some. Replace these batteries annually every Daylight Saving Time. Be sure to test each smoke detector when you change the batteries.

Find more smoke detector maintenance tips in our blog article.

Flip Your Mattress

Flipping your mattress is an important but often overlooked chore. When daylight saving time approaches in the spring and fall, use the semi-annual time change as a handy reminder. Making a habit of flipping your mattress twice a year will extend its comfort and lifespan. Flipping your mattress has many benefits: it extends the mattress’ lifespan, prevents sagging, and reinforces support for better sleep. 

Before you flip it, vacuum the mattress to remove unwanted dust and toss your sheets in the washer. Flip the mattress, remake the bed, and enjoy your bed, good as new.

Clean Your Dryer Vent

Did you know that a blocked dryer vent is a common culprit of house fires? Cleaning your dryer vent is the way to prevent damage and save lives. This is an annual task you should always complete, but you should clean your dryer vent immediately if you experience:

• Clothes taking longer than normal or multiple cycles to dry.
• A moldy smell on your clothes.
• Significant lint on your clothing.
• Dryer stopping several times during a cycle.
• Burning smell from the dryer.

You can hire an HVAC professional to clean your dryer vent, or you can easily do it yourself. Grab a cordless vacuum with a hose attachment, a dryer duct cleaning kit, and a drill. Follow the kit’s directions to put together your vent brush, attach it to your drill, and feed the tube into the dryer event. Run the drill clockwise and slowly move the rods and brush back and forth. Dirt will start falling out of the dryer duct, and you will eventually remove the brush to get all of the debris out. Afterwards, clean it up with a handheld vacuum, and your dryer will dry clothes faster and safer. 

Take a Look at Your Gutters and Roof

Check on your roof and gutters annually to prevent moss, mold, and leaking in your home. Unless your roof is covered in snow, Daylight Saving Time is a great time to do this task. First, look at your roof from the ground. If you notice significant damages or missing shingles, it’s important to repair and replace to prepare for possible extreme weather conditions. Head up to your roof or hire an expert to make these repairs for you. If you’re going the DIY route, check your shingles for moss or mold while you’re repairing your shingles. If you discover mold or moss, treat it using the directions in our “Roof Maintenance 101” blog. 

Cleaning your gutters is a biannual task, making it the perfect activity for the Daylight Saving time switch in November and March. Remove leaves, sticks, and other debris from your gutters to encourage the flow of water, redirecting it away from your home. Read our gutter maintenance blog to learn how to properly clean your gutters.

Check Your Fire Extinguisher

Once a year, give your fire extinguisher a good inspection. Check the pressure gauge to make sure it’s in the green zone. If it’s in the red zone, replace it immediately. Next, take a look at the inspection tag. If it’s expired, replace it with a new extinguisher. If the pin or seal is missing, it’s also time to replace it. 

You can also bring your fire extinguisher to your local fire station to get it inspected and refilled or recharged. Access this list of Vermont Fire Departments to find which one is closest to your home. To learn more about Vermont’s Division of Fire Safety, visit their website.

Remember that a working fire extinguisher can save lives. Familiarize yourself with the proper use of a fire extinguisher so you can use it in the case of an emergency. 

Clean Your Oven

Generally, you’re supposed to deep clean your oven every three months. But, it’s often one of those tasks that you forget about to prioritize other things like your laundry or dishes. Use Daylight Saving Time as a marker to clean your oven, especially when you can’t remember the last time you did it.

Try not to use the self-cleaning feature on your oven, as it can sometimes cause damage to the appliance’s heating elements. Instead, start by removing the racks from your oven to give them a good scrub in the sink. Use dish soap and a sponge to get rid of any build-up on your racks. Leave them out to try while you tackle the rest of your oven. Use a small brush and dustpan to sweep out the bottom of your oven to remove any loose crumbs. Next, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Using a paint brush, add a layer of paste throughout the inside of the oven. Pour equal parts vinegar and water into a spray bottle and spray it on top of the paste. Let the solution sit in the oven for 12 to 24 hours before wiping it out with water and a dishcloth. 

Change Your HVAC Filters

HVAC filters are a part of your home’s heating and cooling system. They collect dust, dander, pollen, and other particles from inside your home to prevent recirculation of said particles. But, they can’t do their job if they’re clogged. Depending on the amount of dust your home collects and if you have pets that shed, producing dander, you might want to change your HVAC filters more often. At least once per year, you should change your HVAC filters to promote clean air circulation in your home. They exist on your furnace, built-in air conditioner, and in-window air conditioners. 

Before replacing your filter, turn off the unit. Each system is different, so your filter won’t be in the exact same place as someone else’s. Typically, you will see a cover grille. Remove that to find your filter, and check to see if it’s disposable or reusable. If it’s reusable, vacuum the dust particles out of the filter. If it’s disposable, replace it with a brand new filter. 

Clean Bathroom Exhaust Fans

You should clean your bathroom exhaust fans twice a year, around every six months. Cleaning it regularly prevents mold and mildew from collecting in your bathroom. Start off the spring with a clean fan, ridding your bathroom of moisture at record speed. 

Be sure the power to the fan is turned off, then remove the vent cover using a screwdriver. Wash the vent cover in the sink with warm water and dish soap. If it has a light attached, do not submerge it in water. Instead, vacuum off any dust, wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth or paper towel, and let it air dry. Go back to your ceiling and vacuum around the fan to get most of the dust out. Afterwards, use a damp cloth to remove the rest of the dirt and dust. For deeper cleaning, you can remove the fan’s motor and vacuum it out. 

Spring into action this Daylight Saving Time by tackling these important annual home maintenance tasks. From changing smoke detector batteries to cleaning your dryer vent, crossing these chores off your list will help keep your home safe and functioning properly year-round. With a little effort now, you can relax and enjoy the extra sunshine knowing your home is ready for the warmer months ahead.

Find more tips for home maintenance, living in Vermont, and getting ready to buy or sell your home in our blog.