It’s Spring, and Angie’s List Says Most of us are Cleaning Up
Spring cleaning isn’t a bygone tradition – at least for the vast majority of Angie’s List members who are preparing to go deep with their seasonal cleaning.
“Spring cleaning isn’t superficial in any sense of the word,” says Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Good maintenance habits will prolong the life and efficiency of everything in your home, and that will save you money. And you can’t properly maintain anything without routine cleaning.”
The latest Angie’s List (NASDAQ: ANGI) member survey shows more than 90 percent of members will focus on about six different spring cleaning chores and 41 percent of them will have professional help for some of them.
When it comes to outside the house, the survey showed homeowners are focused on getting the lawn in shape, ensuring the air conditioner is ready to cool and checking that the gutters are prepared for all those April showers.
Here’s where Angie’s List members are focused – and Angie says you should be – when it comes to spring cleaning inside your home.
Windows: 69 percent are going to clean windows, making that task the most popular spring chore. This job will alert you to any damage incurred over winter. Repairing small problems now will cost less than full replacement. Leaks mean higher energy bills all year long.
Blinds/Curtains: 58 percent will clean window coverings. Custom draperies can cost thousands of dollars. Cleaning them will keep the material free of any stains or damage from previously hidden bugs or spills.
Bathrooms: Often listed as the least favorite chore (and top reason to hire a housecleaner) 56 percent will deep clean the loo. Soap scum or other unappealing build-up will eventually stain your sinks, tiles and tubs and toilets, which will decrease your resale value.
Appliances: 54 percent of us will pay attention to the silent soldiers that help run our lives. Vacuuming dust and debris from refrigerator coils and flushing your water heater of sediment will mean greater efficiency for the devices, which combined with other large appliances in the house, account for about 30 percent of your energy usage. Efficient operation will save you money every month.
Carpets/rugs: 41 percent will clean carpets and rugs, which require such care if they are to remain in good condition for the 10 years most quality carpeting should last.
Other popular spring chores that won’t have a direct dollar impact but will improve the condition and attractiveness of your home include cleaning and organizing cupboards and the garage and floors under large furniture and bedding.
Taking at least an annual look around your home is a great way to spot trouble caused by harsh winter weather or just general wear and tear. “It’s easy to overlook small issues like leaks in a seldom used bathroom, build-up on walls or damage to rugs or wallpaper,” Hicks said. “But these things add up. Taking care of them when they’re small will save you big over time.”
If cleaning isn’t your thing, Hicks said it’s easy to find a good pro to help with the chore list, but she cautions about hiring blind. “These are folks who’ll be in your home. Be sure you’re hiring someone with a good local reputation,” she said.
The Angie’s List survey was conducted in April 2017. It queried 642 members across the U.S. on several home improvement topics.
