With Thanksgiving approaching, get ahead of things this November by checking these 12 items off your to-do list, and relax inside of a cleaner, cozier home.
Your November Home Checklist
1. Decorate for the season naturally. You don’t need to spend much (if anything) to bring a seasonal touch to your house. Hang a wreath on the door, and collect acorns and pine-cones from outdoors to make a simple centerpiece that will last indefinitely. Bowls of apples, pomegranates and nuts in the shell make for an easy (and edible) table decor.
2. Make a donation to your local food pantry. Getting Thanksgiving meal essentials to families in need can certainly create big impact at this time of the year. Consult with the local food pantry before you go shopping to see what it is most in need of. Food pantries need support throughout the year, so think about making donating a month-to-month to-do.
3. Schedule a pre-holiday carpet cleaning. Whether you rent a carpet cleaning machine or hire pros, getting rugs freshened up before holiday gatherings will help your house look its best.
4. Set up a humidifier-and keep it clean. When you’re running the heater quite a bit, the air could get very dry. Using a humidifier puts moisture back into the air, which can help your home feel warmer and more comfortable. But be vigilant about keeping the humidifier clean-it can easily become mildewed, which is often harmful, specifically for allergy sufferers.
5. Check the sump pump. If you have a sump pump to protect your basement in case of flooding, you’ll want to check it and be sure it is in working order prior to the November rains take their toll.
6. Deep clean the kitchen. Cleaning everything thoroughly now will give you a chance to take stock of what’s in those cupboards and pantry before any major holiday cooking happens. Clear expired food out of the pantry, fridge and freezer.
7. Organize closets. With bulky winter and fall clothes taking up more space, it’s natural for closets to get overstuffed at this time of the year. Take a day to clear through some of the clutter, and donate a bag of clothes to charity.
8. Order holiday cards and update your contact list. Intending to mail out holiday cards? Help it become as stress free as you possibly can by ordering early and gathering everything you’ll need in one place.
9. Check walkways, railings and stairs for winter safety. Remove gardening supplies and anything else that’s in the way on walking paths. Make sure that railings and stairs are in good repair.
10. Keep furry friends safe. Get a reflective collar for your dog, especially if they tend to escape or you live near a busy street, and consider keeping indoor-outdoor cats inside for winter.
11. Have trees trimmed. Trees are dormant at this time of year, which makes it a great time to have the trees on your property professionally trimmed. Trimming trees helps in avoiding unstable limbs from falling and causing damage during winter storms.
12. Clear rain gutters and downspouts one last time. If more leaves have fallen since the last time your gutters were cleaned, you’ll want to get them cleared out one last time before winter.
