8 Spring Cleaning Tips for Central Texas Homeowners
Preserve Title Company
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In that sweet spot between winter’s chill and summer’s furnace-like temperatures, comes springtime — and with it the chance to tidy up your home. By pairing your spring cleaning ritual with some general home maintenance care, you can cross two important tasks off your list simultaneously.
There are many good reasons to make time in your schedule for spring cleaning and home maintenance. Not only does the work improve the appearance of your home, but also it can help you identify and anticipate issues that need to be addressed. And all of that can contribute to your property's integrity.
In other words, it’s an exercise in?protecting your investment.
Make a plan
Before you begin, it makes sense to map out an action plan. Consider how much cleaning and maintenance has been deferred. Can you reasonably knock everything out over a few hours? Or will you need a weekend or two to manage it all? Think through what supplies you might need so that you’re not having to break up the process to run to the store.
If you share a home with family or friends, have a conversation about who will be responsible for completing which tasks — and when. Look at your budget as well to see if you can offload some tasks on a local professional.
For households with children, remember that spring cleaning and home maintenance can be a learning opportunity,?providing them with valuable “adulting skills.”?(Of course, if you can find a way to make the experience fun, perhaps with a post-cleaning day pizza supper, then the lessons will be more apt to stick.)
Create your spring cleaning and maintenance to-do list
Here’s a simple stepwise strategy designed to help get your home in tip-top shape:
1.?Start with the exterior
Nothing beats a first impression, and your home’s exterior makes an important one to friends, family and guests. A great place to start is by pressure washing your sidewalk and driveway. (If you have a concrete patio, deep cleaning might be a good idea here, too.) ?
From there, move on to cleaning your windows and doors with manufacturer-approved supplies. On those surfaces, you may first want to remove any dirt or grime that has accumulated over the winter. Don’t forget your window screens, which can harbor dirt as well as bugs and spider webs!
If you have a deck, make sure to clean the surfaces using products that won’t degrade the wood or siding. You can also use this time to inspect your deck, roof and gutters for any signs of wear and tear. This is especially important if spring storms with high winds or hail have passed through your area recently.
2.?Inspect your landscape
Consider how and where you might need to replace plants or fencing and make any needed repairs to your irrigation system.
If you’re tempted to prune back trees, be aware that our beautiful live oaks —?thanks to the dangers of oak wilt?— should be pruned very carefully and only during the hottest and coldest days of the year. In other words, April isn’t a great time to trim this specific type of tree. (For related guidance, contact your?county’s extension service agent.)
3.?Check for pests while you work
Many pests become active in the spring, so keep an eye out for signs of infestation. Look for droppings, nests or other indicators while you work. If you find anything, take swift action now to help avoid costly repairs down the road. Again,?Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service?can be of help here.
4.?Declutter and organize
Moving back inside your home, work room by room to get rid of anything that you no longer need or use. Four boxes marked “Keep,” “Sell,” “Donate” and “Recycle,” together with trash bags, can help expedite this process.
Donate or sell desirable items?that are still in good condition and properly dispose of anything that is no longer usable. Many neighborhood HOAs host community-wide garage sales, and some municipalities have special hazardous waste disposal events. Also, if you have paperwork bearing confidential information, check with your credit union or bank to see if they sponsor “shred days.”
Once you've decluttered, take time to organize thoughtfully. This will not only make your home look better, but it will also make it easier to clean and maintain each month.
5.?Clean the windows, sills and baseboards
Sparkling windows can make a huge difference in the appearance of your home. Take the time to clean them well, and you’ll enjoy the view for months to come.
6.?Deep clean the carpets, rugs and upholstery
Over time, carpets and upholstery can accumulate dirt and stains, making them look worn and dirty. To tackle the issue, you can rent a steam cleaner or hire a professional to take care of the task for you. Depending upon the area rug,?special care?may be required when cleaning.
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7.?Clean and organize your garage
Much as with your home’s interior, your garage will benefit from decluttering and tidying up. Since space is often tight, explore how and where you might add storage racks and shelving to make the most it.
8.?Check your air conditioning and heating systems
Spring is the perfect time to have your air conditioning and heating systems professionally checked and serviced. At a minimum, make sure to change your air filters and inspect for any leaks or other issues that may need to be addressed.
If you have a gas fireplace or stove, consider consulting with a professional, too. This will ensure everything is in working order for next winter. And?don’t forget to test your carbon dioxide detector?to help keep everyone safe.
The takeaway
By following these spring cleaning and home maintenance tips annually, Central Texas homeowners like you can ensure that their homes are in top condition and ready to enjoy for the spring and summer months.
Are you tidying up in anticipation of placing your home on the market soon? Count on our experienced team at Preserve Title Company, an RBFCU affiliate company, to provide the trustworthy service and commitment you seek in a title company. Contact us to learn more.
210-945-3370 (San Antonio) | 512-873-2523 (Austin)
This article was last updated in March 2025.
Disclosures
Preserve Title Company LLC is a subsidiary of RBFCU Services LLC. RBFCU Services LLC is affiliated with Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU).
Sources
The following sources were last accessed in March 2025.
“How to Protect Your Real Estate Investment.” HGTV, https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/real-estate/how-to-protect-your-real-estate-investment.
“11 Tips for Teaching Kids to Clean Their Room.” Care.com, https://www.care.com/c/how-to-teach-kids-to-clean-their-room/.
“Texas Oak Wilt.” Texas Oak Wilt, https://texasoakwilt.org/.
“County Offices.”?Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/counties/.
“Pesticides and Pest Management.” Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/assets/plants-crops/insects-pests-diseases/pesticides-pest-management/.
“5 Items You Should Not Be Donating.” Southern Living, https://www.southernliving.com/things-you-cant-donate-7499207.
“How to Clean an Area Rug to Make It Look like New Again.” Better Homes & Gardens, https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-clean-area-rugs/.
“What About Carbon Monoxide Detectors?”?United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-about-carbon-monoxide-detectors.