Things to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less
Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. With more heater use and wood fires in the fireplace, it is especially important during winter to make sure those smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Use the test button on each device, and change batteries as needed.
Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. With more heater use and wood fires in the fireplace, it is especially important during winter to make sure those smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Use the test button on each device, and change batteries as needed.
Organize the board games. When bad weather has you stuck indoors and you’re looking for an alternative to screen time, board games and cards are a crowd-pleaser. Pull out everything you’ve got and check that each set has all of the pieces. Put games your family no longer enjoys aside to give away, and put the rest back neatly.
Great Game Setups for Snowbound Days
Great Game Setups for Snowbound Days
Organize cold-weather accessories. Stay toasty warm with plush, thick socks, cozy hats, scarves and gloves or mittens. Sort through your sock drawer, entryway baskets and hooks and anywhere else cold-weather accessories are hiding, and take stock of what you have. Replenish as needed.
Simple Pleasures: Stocking Up for Winter
Simple Pleasures: Stocking Up for Winter
Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend
Protect pipes from freezing. Why? Because frozen pipes can burst, leading to costly repairs. If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to insulate any exposed outdoor pipes. And if you’re planning to be away from home, ask a friend or neighbor to turn on your water to a trickle. Also, find out where your home’s water shut-off valve is so you can cut off the water quickly if a pipe does burst — and be sure to show your house sitter where it is.
Protect pipes from freezing. Why? Because frozen pipes can burst, leading to costly repairs. If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to insulate any exposed outdoor pipes. And if you’re planning to be away from home, ask a friend or neighbor to turn on your water to a trickle. Also, find out where your home’s water shut-off valve is so you can cut off the water quickly if a pipe does burst — and be sure to show your house sitter where it is.
Refresh play spaces. Entice little ones stuck indoors to creative play and cut down on cries of “I’m bored!” Try adding a chalkboard or whiteboard wall, a play tent or tepee, an area for messy art, a “stage” for acting or a tumbling mat.
Give potted plants some TLC. If your house gets very dry in the winter with the heater on, you may need to add humidity to the air around some plants, especially citrus trees and ferns. You can use a humidifier or simply spritz them with plain water occasionally.
Indoor Winter Gardens for Cheerier Days
Indoor Winter Gardens for Cheerier Days
Clear home and wardrobe clutter. Make a fresh start with the new year and clear out the clutter. If dealing with the whole house feels overwhelming, focus on just a few categories of items, such as clothes, books and children’s toys.
10 Decluttering Projects You Can Do In 30 Minutes or Less
10 Decluttering Projects You Can Do In 30 Minutes or Less
Clean out the kitchen and pantry. Remove everything from the pantry, toss out stale and expired foods and wipe down the shelves before putting everything back.
Clean out the fridge and freezer, and clear off countertops. Let the refreshed space motivate you to stick with your health resolutions for the new year.
Find pantry and cabinet organizers
Clean out the fridge and freezer, and clear off countertops. Let the refreshed space motivate you to stick with your health resolutions for the new year.
Find pantry and cabinet organizers
Knock heavy snow from tree branches. Heavy coatings of snow can cause tree limbs to break — which can be especially dangerous if a large limb is positioned near your home. Using a long-handled broom or rake, gently knock snow from branches after each storm.
Take down holiday decorations, and store them well. When you’re ready to put away the holiday decorations, take the time to do it with care (you’ll thank yourself later). Wrap delicate ornaments in tissue paper, and wrap string lights around cardboard to prevent tangling. Consider giving away ornaments that didn’t make it onto the tree this year, and repair or toss broken items. And if you’re not ready to say goodbye to the white twinkle lights quite yet, leave them up. We can all use a little extra cheer in the middle of winter.
Take down holiday decorations, and store them well. When you’re ready to put away the holiday decorations, take the time to do it with care (you’ll thank yourself later). Wrap delicate ornaments in tissue paper, and wrap string lights around cardboard to prevent tangling. Consider giving away ornaments that didn’t make it onto the tree this year, and repair or toss broken items. And if you’re not ready to say goodbye to the white twinkle lights quite yet, leave them up. We can all use a little extra cheer in the middle of winter.
Give in to the urge to hibernate. In winter, it’s natural to want to spend extra time at home, just relaxing. Make yourself a haven for snuggling up to watch a movie or read. Layer on warming textiles, pour some hot tea or make cocoa, and settle in.
10 Things You Don’t Need to Be Doing
10 Things You Don’t Need to Be Doing
Maintenance and Extras to Budget for This Month
Take steps to prevent ice dams. Ice dams are areas of built-up ice that can accumulate around your roof line, causing leaks when the backed-up snow behind them begins to melt. Using a roof rake, remove snow after each storm. And, if you notice an ice dam beginning to form (and if you can safely reach the area), break it up now to prevent future damage.
Protect Your House From Winter Water Damage
Take steps to prevent ice dams. Ice dams are areas of built-up ice that can accumulate around your roof line, causing leaks when the backed-up snow behind them begins to melt. Using a roof rake, remove snow after each storm. And, if you notice an ice dam beginning to form (and if you can safely reach the area), break it up now to prevent future damage.
Protect Your House From Winter Water Damage
Plan big home projects for the year ahead. Thinking of remodeling the kitchen or bath, painting the exterior or adding on? Use Houzz to save your ideas, resources and inspiration, and start contacting pros to help make your project a reality.
Share: What’s on your to-do list this January? Tell us in the Comments!
More
Your Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
Simple Pleasures: Stocking Up for Winter
Share: What’s on your to-do list this January? Tell us in the Comments!
More
Your Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
Simple Pleasures: Stocking Up for Winter
If you attempt to knock snow off a tree branch, please be careful as the snow can be ice encrusted and invariably some will fall on your head or knock you off a step ladder. Likewise, you need to be gentle. I always use a broom; a rake can gouge the branches, and gently lift UP since downward will encourage braking. Please don't try to remove ice from the branches with your fingers, as you often remove the bark also. The ice should melt when the sun hits it, or at least I hope so. Enjoy the beauty of winter.
I unfortunately have pneumonia and horrid weather outside so I am hibernating but will do a BIG pile of mending today and will try to go through my clothes, then my books, then my papers , and lastly my kitchen in preparation for a move next month. Just wish I had more energy. ☹️
Mary Lou. ..I have used old flat sheets to cover my furniture during a construction project. They protect the furniture and can be washed and put away for use another time. Just shake out all the Dust outside when the job is complete and throw the sheets in the washing machine.