The month of May brings warmer, longer days and a renewed sense of energy in the air. It’s also a great time to finish conquering spring home maintenance so we can enjoy a (mostly) chore-free summer. Here’s your Home Maintenance Cheat Sheet for May – a useful, downloadable pdf checklist developed for homeowners by a homeowner. Let’s get started!
Checklist/ Cheat Sheet/ Whatever You Want to Call It
Let’s face it, keeping track of all the maintenance needs for your home can feel overwhelming. Unless, of course, you have a maintenance “to-do” list to follow.
There are a ton of other printable home maintenance checklists online. Admittedly, some I liked. Others I found lacking. Especially those developed by companies more interested in publishing fancy-looking graphics and not helpful content.
So I decided to create home maintenance checklists for each month. In this post, I share my home maintenance cheat sheet for May – ensuring you don’t miss a single spring chore. [Here’s the link to April in case you missed it.]
After you have worked through the pdf cheat sheet, please email me if you have recommendations. Unlike the big home improvement online websites, I’ll listen….
Home Maintenance Cheat Sheet for May
Like my other month-by month home maintenance checklists, these cheat sheets are divided into the below 4 sections.
- Safety and Security
- Exterior Maintenance
- Spring Cleanup
- Interior Maintenance
What I like about this is that there are usually 4 weeks (or weekends) in a month. If you don’t feel like tackling the entire checklist in one day or weekend, you can pick a section to do each weekend.
Look at me, already organizing you 😉
Ready? Here we go!
[Click here to jump right down to the printable pdf checklist. Sure, there’s a lot of great info below BUT I get it, you want to jump right to the checklist….. 😉]
1. Safety & Security
When it comes to home maintenance, safety and security should always be top priorities. Last month you checked your fire extinguishers and outdoor electrical systems. For May, here’s two items for your to-do list.
Inspect Indoor Electrical
Last month we inspected outdoor lighting. Now we are moving indoors. Look for any frayed wires or damaged outlets inside your home. If you find any, don’t attempt to fix them yourself. Contact a qualified electrician to address them promptly.
Avoid overloaded outlets and avoid running cords under rugs or furniture. And if you haven’t mapped your circuit breaker, here’s my free circuit breaker label template to get that done.
Recycle Hazardous Materials
Gather all unwanted or expired household hazardous waste materials(e.g. old paint, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals). Improper disposal (i.e. the trash) can be harmful to the environment and public health. In the springtime, communities hold collection events where residents can safely dispose of these materials for free.
2. Exterior Maintenance
In March and April you spent time inspecting, fixing, and cleaning your exterior from the winter havoc. Now it’s a great time to finish cleaning up the exterior of your home to get ready for summer parties and BBQs.
Touch Up Paint
Address any peeling or chipped paint with a fresh coat of paint of your home’s exterior will maintain your home’s curb appeal and prevent further deterioration.
RELATED POST: 6 FREE Ways to Keep Track of House Paint Colors
Pressure Wash Exterior
If you have siding and haven’t already cleaned it as part of March or April’s home maintenance, clean your siding with a pressure washer to remove winter grime and dirt buildup, leaving your house looking fresh and inviting for the summer months.
Boost Curb Appeal
The entrance to your home is the first impression, so take some time to spruce up your front door, porch, and steps. Consider replacing your welcome mat, adding potted plants, and even a fresh coat of paint on the front door.
RELATED POST: Front Door Makeover with Behr Shipwreck Ultra Exterior Semi-Gloss
Freshen Walkways
Take a broom or leaf blower to clear away any debris that may have accumulated on your walkways throughout the winter. Inspect the surfaces for cracks, uneven sections, or loose stones that could pose a tripping hazard. For minor cracks, you can use a concrete patching compound for repairs. For larger issues, consider consulting a professional contractor.
Check Weather Stripping
Ensure a tight seal around doors and window frames to improve energy efficiency and prevent pest intrusion as part of regular maintenance.
Prevent Mosquitoes
Nobody wants their outdoor space overrun by pesky mosquitoes. To prevent them from breeding around your property, eliminate any sources of standing water. This includes emptying birdbaths, wading pools, clogged gutters, or old tires that may collect rainwater.
Prep Pool
If you own a pool, May is a best time to prep it to kick off the Memorial Day weekend! Remove winter debris, clean the filter and skimmer, and balance the chemicals to get it in good working order. For pool heaters, consider professional servicing for peak performance.
3. Interior Maintenance
Last month you spent a considerable amount of time and energy on spring cleaning. Ugh. This month, let’s finish that interior cleaning.
Rooms of the Month
Like my other monthly home maintenance cheat sheets, I pick a room to focus on for a declutter, deep clean and organizing. I’m not a fan of deep cleaning the whole house in one weekend. Who has time for that??? I have 3 kids – I barely have time to wash my hair on some weekends.
For May, let’s focus on these rooms.… drumroll please…..bedrooms and laundry rooms….
Refresh Bedrooms
Lighter days and warmer weather often inspire a desire for change. First, the bad part. Deep cleaning bedrooms (which can be done in 2 hours…) Rotate the mattresses on all beds and flip over if possible. Dust nightstands, lamps, headboards, ceiling fans, blinds and decor. Don’t forget to wash comforters and pillows according to their care labels to remove dust mites and allergens that may have accumulated over the winter. And if you didn’t get a chance in April, swap out heavy winter bedding for lighter fabrics like cotton or linen.
Now the fun part. Consider rearranging your bedroom furniture to create a new layout or flow. Incorporate pops of color with fresh throw pillows, blankets, or seasonal artwork.
RELATED POST: How to Deep Clean a Bedroom in Under 2 Hours [Free Checklist]
Deep Clean Laundry Room
Your laundry room works hard all year round, so give it some TLC in May. For optimal appliance performance and to prevent fire hazards, clean your washing machine with a specialty cleaner designed to remove built-up detergent residue and fabric softener.
Don’t forget to tackle the dryer vent! Disconnect the dryer from the outlet and pull it away from the wall. Disconnect the vent hose from the back of the dryer and clean out any lint buildup by hand. You can also use a long-reach dryer vent cleaning brush or a shop vacuum to remove lint from inside the vent hose. Once everything is clean, reconnect the hose and dryer to the wall and outlet.
Done with these rooms? Here’s the rest of the interior tasks on your home maintenance home cheat sheet for May.
Touch Up Paint
Freshen up your interior by cleaning walls and addressing any minor paint scuffs or chips.
RELATED POST: 12 Newbie House Painting Mistakes [How to Avoid]
Install Window ACs
For those of us who don’t have a combined cooling and heating system, it’s a good idea to drag out the window air conditioner units and install correctly in windows.
Get the Dehumidifier Ready
If you live in a humid climate, May is a great time of year to prepare your dehumidifier for the summer heat to prevent mold growth and improve indoor air quality.
Inspect Kitchen & Bath Fixtures
Look for signs of leaks or damage around faucets, pipes, and drains. Address any issues promptly to avoid water damage.
Change Window and Door Screens
Remove any dust and debris to allow for proper ventilation and prevent insects from entering your home. Make any necessary repairs to rips and tears and keep them in tip-top shape.
Wash Windows
Grime and dust accumulated over winter can leave your windows looking dull and block the sunshine from entering your home. But don’t just stop at cleaning the window glass. Don’t forget to vacuum the dust and cobwebs from window sills as well as freshen up your window treatments
RELATED POST: 25 FAQs & Best Tips For Washing Windows – From the Experts
4. Yard & Garden
In my opinion, May is one of the best months for gardening. The spring flowers have bloomed, providing fresh color to your yard. And it hasn’t gotten too hot out that you are dealing with the dry season and wilted plants.
Here’s how to get your outdoor space ready for spring and summer. (Remember: This list is a general guideline. Tailor it to your specific needs and climate.)
Spring Yard Clean
Remove any leftover winter debris like fallen leaves or branches to create a clean and inviting outdoor space. Dispose of yard waste properly, either by bagging it for municipal pickup or composting it for use in your garden later. My municipality hosts a free cleanup weekend with yard waste pickup.
Reset Sprinkler System
Test and set your sprinkler system to ensure your lawn receives adequate water throughout the growing season. Consult your sprinkler system manual for specific instructions on programming watering schedules and adjusting sprinkler heads for optimal coverage.
Feed Lawn
For a healthy and vibrant lawn throughout the summer, aerate and apply fertilizer following the recommended application instructions for your specific grass type. The proper nutrients will encourage healthy growth and a richer green color.
Plant & Mulch Garden
For many flowers and vegetables, it’s the perfect time of year to plant! Once you’re done, mulch garden beds to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature, benefiting your plants throughout the growing season. Also be sure to set our your rain barrels or set up the garden hose for watering ease.
RELATED POST: 9 Places to Buy Rain Barrels for Cheap
Prep Grill
Didn’t get to it in April? That’s ok. Clean and prep your grill for summer BBQs and outdoor entertaining. If you have a gas grill, inspect the gas lines and burners for any leaks or damage.
Set Out Patio Furniture
Bring out your patio furniture, clean it up, and create a relaxing outdoor space to enjoy the warmer weather.
RELATED POST: Teak vs. Linseed Oil on Eucalyptus Patio Furniture
Test Your Lawn Equipment
Check lawn mowers, edgers, and other equipment to ensure they are in sufficient working order and make any necessary repairs before the summer mowing season begins.
Host a Yard Sale
Declutter your home and make some extra cash by organizing a yard sale. If you don’t have the time nor effort to host a yard sale, consider scheduling a pickup from a charity to pick up your unwanted items.
PRINTABLE Home Maintenance Cheat Sheet for May
Whew! That’s a lot. Sorry this article is a bit long – BUT I wanted to be sure that you had enough detail to get what you needed.
Ready to get started? Download your printable Home Maintenance Cheat Sheet for May below and tick off these essential tasks as you complete them! Transition your home in spring smoothly and stress-free.
Any issues? Problems? Suggestions? Be sure to reach out! Click here to contact me.
JUNE HOME MAINTENANCE CHEAT SHEET
Ready for June’s monthly home maintenance checklist????
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