January Home Maintenance Checklist: Start the Year With a Well-Cared-For Home
January is a natural time for fresh starts—and that includes your home. With cold weather still in full swing in Salida, a few simple maintenance tasks can help your home run more efficiently, stay safer, and feel a little more organized as you head into the new year. Here’s a practical checklist to focus on this month.
Change Furnace Filters
Your heating system is working hard right now, and a dirty filter makes it even harder for it to do its job. Replacing your furnace filter helps your system run more efficiently, improves indoor air quality, and can even extend the life of your unit. Check your filter size, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, and set a reminder so this becomes a regular habit throughout winter.
Test Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors
Safety first. Take a few minutes to test all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Press the test button, replace any dead or weak batteries, and confirm that you have detectors on every level of your home—especially near bedrooms. These small devices are easy to forget about until you need them, so a quick check now is well worth the peace of mind.
Clean the Garage
January is a great time to reclaim your garage, especially if you’ve been squeezing in holiday décor, outdoor gear, and winter supplies. Do a quick sort: donate or toss what you don’t need, group similar items together, and sweep or shop-vac the floor. A tidier garage makes it easier to find what you need on snowy mornings and gives you a more functional storage space year-round.
Clean the Inside of Your Oven
After a season of holiday cooking and baking, your oven has likely seen a lot of action. Cleaning the interior can help it heat more evenly, reduce smoke or odors, and make future meals more enjoyable. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions or use a gentle cleaning solution, and avoid harsh abrasives that can damage the finish or heating elements.
Vacuum Refrigerator Coils
Refrigerator coils collect dust over time, which makes your fridge work harder to stay cold. Unplug the unit, carefully pull it away from the wall if needed, and use a vacuum with a hose attachment to clean the coils. This simple task can improve energy efficiency and help your refrigerator last longer—always a win for busy homeowners.