Beginner’s Guide: Essential Home Maintenance Tasks Before Spring

If you’ve recently moved into your first house or signed your first solo lease, congratulations — and welcome to a new kind of responsibility. Nobody hands you a manual when you get those keys, and there are tasks that come with running a home that most people simply never learned about. Cleaning refrigerator coils? Checking gutters? If those sound unfamiliar, you are not alone, and you’re in the right place.

Spring is the ideal time to build habits that will protect your space, save you money, and keep everything running the way it should. The good news is that none of these tasks are particularly difficult. They just require knowing they exist in the first place. Consider this your friendly, step-by-step guide to getting your home ready for warmer weather — no experience necessary.

Start With the Easiest Win: Decluttering

Before you grab cleaning supplies or crawl behind appliances, begin with the simplest and most satisfying task on the list — clearing out the stuff you don’t need.

Elena Ledoux of Superb Maids DC says to Real Simple, “Get rid of things you don’t use or need. This not only makes cleaning easier but also leaves your space feeling more peaceful. Plus, it’s a great chance to donate items that could benefit others.”

Why start here? Decluttering gives you a sense of momentum. Once closets, countertops, and storage areas are pared down, everything else on this list becomes easier to tackle. You can see surfaces more clearly, access appliances without obstacles, and feel motivated to keep going. Think of it as the gateway to bigger maintenance habits — a first step that costs nothing and pays off immediately.

Test Your Air Conditioner Before You Actually Need It

Here is something that surprises many first-time homeowners and renters: you should not wait until the first sweltering day of summer to turn on your AC. By then, if something is wrong, you could be stuck waiting for a repair appointment alongside everyone else who made the same mistake.

“Run your AC just to make sure it’s working properly,” says Kat Christine, licensed contractor and DIY Expert, founder of She Fixed That LLC, to Real Simple. “[This way], you’re ahead of the game when summer comes.”

This quick test takes only a few minutes. Switch the system on and let it run. Is cold air coming out? Are there any strange noises or unusual smells? If something seems off, you will have weeks to schedule a service call before demand spikes.

Clean Your Air Conditioner — Yes, That’s a Thing

Testing and cleaning are two separate steps, and both matter. Over time, dust, dirt, and debris can build up in the filter, coils, and drain line, making the system work harder to cool your space. This added strain can reduce cooling performance, increase energy use, and raise your utility bills, while also putting extra wear on important components that may lead to breakdowns or costly repairs.

“ACs usually have no use in winter; therefore, these appliances remain closed and unused for a long time. Starting them in late spring or summer without properly cleaning or servicing them is a big mistake because they will circulate dust that has built up throughout your home, and they might not even start,” warns Nick Hedberg, home improvement expert at As Is Homebuyer for Homes and Gardens. “Not a good way to commence your summers, right? So it’s better to get them cleaned in spring!”

For a first-time homeowner, this is an important lesson: appliances that sit unused can collect dust and debris internally. A spring cleaning or service call before the season starts can prevent unpleasant surprises.

Why Gutters Matter More Than You Think

If you have never owned a home before, gutters might seem like a forgettable part of the exterior — just some metal channels along the roofline. But understanding what they do, and what happens when they fail, is one of the most important things a new homeowner can learn.

Gutters are designed to carry rainwater away from your roof, walls, and foundation, but when they become clogged with leaves and debris, water can overflow and seep into areas it shouldn’t. This can lead to roof leaks, wood rot, mold growth, and even foundation cracks or basement flooding over time.

That is a chain of consequences that can become extremely expensive, and it all starts with clogged gutters.

“April showers bring May flowers,” Christine tells Real Simple. “Make sure all gutters are clear and that your downspouts are draining away from your foundation.”

If you are renting, gutter maintenance may fall to your landlord, but it is still worth checking your lease and flagging any visible clogs or overflow. If you own your home, make this an annual checkpoint each spring. Generally speaking, a simple visual inspection from the ground can reveal obvious blockages, especially after fall and winter when leaves and debris accumulate.

Clean Your Refrigerator Coils (They Exist, and They Need Attention)

This is one of those maintenance tasks that many people go years without knowing about. Your refrigerator has coils — typically located on the back or underneath the unit — and those coils are responsible for releasing heat from inside the refrigerator. When they become covered in dust, dirt, and pet hair, the fridge has to work much harder to keep food cold.

Casey Finn from The DIY Playbook explains it clearly: “Now, here’s where things can get messy—literally. If you want your fridge to keep running smoothly, you’ve got to keep those coils clean. Over time, dust and grime can build up on the coils, and instead of releasing heat, like they’re supposed to, that dirt acts like a blanket, trapping it in. That means your fridge has to work overtime to stay cool, which is bad news for your energy bill and your food.”

Finn adds: “When your fridge struggles to stay at the right temperature, your food might spoil faster. Even worse, if the coils are too clogged, your fridge could eventually overheat and break down completely. Yikes! So, keeping those coils clean is key to a happy, healthy fridge.”

For a new homeowner or renter, this is a perfect example of a small task with big consequences. Neglect it, and you could face higher energy bills, spoiled groceries, or a broken refrigerator. Take care of it once or twice a year, and your fridge stays efficient and reliable.

Check for Pests Before They Check In

Spring brings warmer weather, and that warmth brings company you didn’t invite.

“Springtime means new life, and unfortunately, that applies to many pests as well,” saysBrett Bennett, Director of Operations at PURCOR Pest to Homes and Gardens. “So, an important part of preparing your home for spring is making sure it’s as pest-proof as possible.”

Bennett continues: “While doing your spring cleaning, keep an eye out for stink bugs, mice, spiders, and any other pests specific to your area. It’s always best to catch these problems before they grow into a full-blown infestation.”

As you declutter and clean, keep your eyes open for droppings, webs, or signs of nesting. Early detection is key.

Get Your Outdoor Space Ready

If your home includes a patio or outdoor area, spring is the time to reclaim it.

“Part of preparing your home for spring is getting ready to enjoy your yard, and this starts with your spring patio prep,” says Rafi Friedman, President of Coastal Luxury Outdoors to Homes and Gardens.

“Plain water is enough for most patios, but if you have moss, stains, or discoloration, you’ll want to use a stain remover like OxiClean Outdoor. This stuff can be used to spot treat the stains and rinsed away with plain water. It won’t damage finishes or your lawn, either.”

You Don’t Have to Do It All at Once

If this list feels long, remember: no one expects you to handle everything in a single weekend. Pick one or two tasks each week. Start with decluttering, then work your way through the rest at a pace that feels manageable. The point is not perfection — it is building habits that protect your home, your wallet, and your peace of mind over time. You’ve got this.