Seasonal Checklist

Homes have a rhythm. Some jobs make sense when the days lengthen, others when the first cold evening arrives. Spreading the work across the year keeps any single weekend from turning into a marathon. Use this checklist as a gentle prompt rather than a rulebook, and skip whatever does not apply to your home.

Spring: open up and clear out

• Pick one room for a proper clear-out, following our room-by-room decluttering method.
• Wash windows inside and out on a cloudy day to avoid streaks.
• Vacuum, deodorise and rotate mattresses; wash pillows and duvets if their labels allow.
• Swap heavy winter bedding and coats for lighter ones and store them clean and dry.
• Check gutters, garden furniture and outdoor lights after the winter weather.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries where needed.

Summer: keep cool and keep pests out

• Plan shade for the sunniest windows and practise night-time ventilation; our guide to keeping a house cool without AC has the details.
• Clean fans before the first hot spell, and check plugs and cables for damage.
• Store ripe fruit in the fridge and empty kitchen bins more often to keep fruit flies away.
• Brush and flush kitchen and bathroom drains every week or so.
• Check window screens and repair any tears.
• Before a trip, empty the fridge of anything perishable and unplug non-essential devices.

Autumn: seal, check and prepare

• Look for draughts around doors and windows and fit simple seals where needed.
• Have heating systems serviced by a qualified engineer before you rely on them.
• Clear leaves from gutters, drains and paths.
• Bring in or cover garden furniture and cushions.
• Review streaming subscriptions before the long evenings start and cancel the ones nobody uses.
• Restock torches, batteries and a basic first-aid kit.

Winter: cosy, safe and well aired

• Open windows briefly each day to let out moisture and prevent condensation and mould.
• Keep heaters well away from curtains, bedding and furniture, and never cover them.
• Do not overload sockets or extension leads with heaters, lights and chargers.
• Check that pipes in cold spaces are protected against freezing.
• Use quieter weekends for small hobby projects and indoor clear-outs.
• Plan next year's trips and make a list of what to tackle in spring.

All year round

For anything involving electrics, gas or work at height, bring in a qualified professional rather than doing it yourself. Everything else can wait for the right season and a cup of tea.