Decide on Home Projects

• The new year is a great time to plan home projects for the year like painting siding, remodeling your kitchen, getting a new roof, pressure washing your driveway and much more. 
• Prioritize the projects you want to accomplish and build a budget to plan wisely and avoid overspending.
• Ensure that whatever exterior projects you decide on will comply with your neighborhood HOA's guidelines. Often, projects are required to be submitted and reviewed before work can begin.
• For projects that will require professional assistance, call a local expert and get a quote. Find local contractors by using our BizFinder tool!

Wipe Down Cabinets and Hardware

• Our cabinets often don't get much TLC and can become traps for grease, dirt and spills.
• Use a gentle, trusted degreaser like Mean Green or even Dawn dish soap diluted in warm water to wipe down your cabinets.
• Use a gentle antibacterial cleaner that is safe for metals to clean and disinfect your hardware, which are safe havens for germs.

Wipe Down Blinds and Interior Shutters

• Blinds and interior shutters are magnets for dust, contaminating the air you breathe inside the home.
• Use a clingy duster like a Swiffer duster to wipe away dust.
• Must-Try Hack: Close the blinds in one direction and wipe down from top to bottom, then close in the other direction to wipe the other side.

Update Home Inventory List

• Accidents happen when you least expect them to, but you can be prepared now to save you from an additional headache later.
• Make an inventory list of items your home such as furniture, artwork, audio/visual equipment and more along with photos, serial numbers, and replacement values. 
• This list will be essential should you experience a flood or other damage inside your home where items are damaged and your insurance policy will cover replacement or repair.

Change Water Filters

• Since water filters are easy to forget about, be sure to check your water filters and replace if necessary.
• If your filters are due for replacement in a few months, make a note in your calendar so you won't forget when it comes time to replace.

Plan New Outdoor Landscaping

• While it's not an appropriate time to plant most outdoor plants right now, you can certainly plan out your dream yard on paper and be ready to hit the ground running this spring!
• When selecting plants, consider the sunlight exposure and irrigation access when designing. It's important to select plants that will thrive in the sunlight available to the areas in which you will plant, and that your new plants will have adequate watering either from an existing irrigation system, a new one or the regular use of a manual sprinkler.
• Keep in mind that when planting, shovels can easily break into an existing irrigation line and lead to costly repairs. 
• Need help selecting plants and designing your landscaping? Reach out to the Harris County Master Gardeners or the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners for some expert advice! These organizations are led by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, so you can trust that you will be in excellent hands.

Clean Out and Organize Closets

• Remove unused items from your closet and consider donating them right here in your community. You can find Katy/Fulshear area donation centers here and West Houston/Cypress donation centers here.
• Place like items in sections together such as pants, sweaters, long-sleeve shirts, and button-ups to make dressing much quicker and easier in the mornings. 
• Put shoes in cubbies or on shoe racks in pairs for easy visibility and access.

Wash Blankets and Comforters

• Blankets and comforters often become forgotten as laundry items. 
• Wash and dry them according to the item's care instructions label.
• For blankets, fold away and place in a basket where you most frequently use them or in a linen closet.
• Don't forget to wash your guest room comforter, too! 

Shampoo Carpets

• If you had lots of guests over the holidays, your carpets might be in need of some TLC.
• Whether you utilize your own carpet shampooing machine, rent one, purchase one, or call a local expert, shampoo your carpets after thoroughly vacuuming to freshen your floors.
• With continued mild temperatures ahead, tackle this project on a sunny day when there's no chance for rain so you can open all your windows to expedite the drying process and air out your home.

Restock Pantry Items and Cleaning Supplies

• If you spent a lot of time cooking and cleaning over the holidays, your pantry and cleaning supplies closets might be in need of replenishing!
• Make a grocery list of pantry items to restock staple items like rice, canned goods, cooking oils, seasonings, dried herbs, flour and sugar. While you're poking around in the pantry, be sure to throw out any expired or stale food.
• Thoroughly check all cleaning supplies and make a list of items that need to be replenished. There's nothing worse than going to clean the toilets and realizing you don't have anymore toilet cleaner!

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By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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