Spring cleaning can be a great way to freshen up your home and create a clean and organized living space.
Here are some spring cleaning tips for homeowners:
Make a plan: Start by making a cleaning checklist or plan of action. Divide your home into different areas or rooms and prioritize which ones need the most attention. Having a plan will help you stay organized and focused.
Declutter: Before you start cleaning, declutter your home. Go through each room and get rid of items you no longer need or use. Donate or sell them if they are in good condition, and discard anything that is broken or beyond repair. Decluttering will make your cleaning process easier and give you more space.
Deep clean carpets and rugs: Vacuuming alone may not be enough to remove deep-seated dirt and dust from your carpets and rugs. Consider renting a carpet cleaner or hiring professionals to deep clean them. This will help eliminate allergens and give your carpets a fresh look.
Dust and wipe surfaces: Dust all surfaces, including furniture, shelves, countertops, and electronics. Use a microfiber cloth or electrostatic duster to capture the dust effectively. Wipe down surfaces with a suitable cleaner to remove grime and fingerprints.
Clean windows and window coverings: Take the time to clean your windows inside and out. Use a glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth or newspaper for streak-free results. Don’t forget to clean your blinds, curtains, or shades as well. Vacuum or wipe them down to remove dust buildup.
Scrub kitchen and bathroom: The kitchen and bathroom are areas that require extra attention. Clean and disinfect countertops, sinks, faucets, and appliances in the kitchen. In the bathroom, scrub the toilet, bathtub, shower, and tiles. Pay special attention to grout lines, as they can accumulate dirt and mold.
Refresh bedding and upholstery: Launder your bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers. Consider washing or dry cleaning your pillows and comforters. Vacuum upholstery using an appropriate attachment to remove dust and debris. If needed, spot clean stains or consider professional upholstery cleaning.
Clean out the refrigerator and pantry: Empty your refrigerator and pantry to clean the shelves thoroughly. Check expiration dates and discard any expired or spoiled food. Wipe down the interior surfaces and organize items before returning them.
Don’t forget the outdoors: Summer cleaning isn’t limited to the indoors. Clean your outdoor spaces, such as patios, decks, and furniture. Sweep away debris, wash outdoor cushions, and scrub any dirty surfaces. Also, check your gutters and downspouts for debris and ensure proper drainage.
Safety first: Remember to wear protective gloves, goggles, and masks when handling cleaning chemicals or working with dust and allergens. Open windows for ventilation while cleaning. Be careful if you need to use a ladder. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning products and use them as directed.
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Remember, cleaning can be a big task, so break it down into manageable steps and pace yourself. Involve family members or hire professionals if needed. The goal is to create a clean and comfortable living space that you can enjoy throughout the year. A clean and well-maintained home helps minimize insurance claims and saves money in the long run.
Your home owner’s policy offers lots of coverages, right? There is coverage for the exterior/structure of the home and also for other structures on the property, such as a barn, shed, detached garage, etc.
You also have liability coverage in case someone is hurt on your property – your dog bites someone or someone slips and falls on an icy sidewalk.
And of course, you have coverage for your personal items inside your home. Imagine if you flipped your house upside down and all the stuff fell out – the clothes, furniture, electronics, jewelry and guns – those are personal articles that are covered.
So if your home was a total loss, maybe a big fire or a tornado, how does the insurance company figure out what you had inside?
Basically, if you have a 2,000 square foot, 3 bedroom home with an average value of $250,000, an adjuster is going to give you money for the normal and customary items and quality of what would be found in that home to refurbish your items inside the home.
What if you have unusual items that are difficult to just go out and easily value and purchase? How do you get those types of items replaced?
The VERY BEST WAY to be sure your unique items are replaced are to have a record of them on file with your insurance agent. Some items that come to mind are collections of any kind. Think guns, jewelry, art, watches. Since we are in Kentucky, think about your bourbon collection. If you have very rare and expensive bottles, be sure you have a detailed record of each one.
If you are a spreadsheet type of person, make a nice intricate spreadsheet showing all your prized possessions and email it to your insurance agent.
For the rest of us, a simple video will suffice. Take a moment and walk around your house to record what is there. If you need to open drawers or doors or safes to show the contents, please do so. Then email the video file to insurance agent, just in case.
Chances are you’ll never need this record, as a total loss is not common. However, if you DO need to replace these items, you’ll probably be in a very emotional and stressful state already, and you’ll be so glad you took a few minutes to record these items for ease of processing the claim and replacing those things.
In the summertime, we see lots of thunderstorms and hail in Central Kentucky.
What should you do if your home or car is damaged during a storm?
Stay safe? Wait until the storm has passed before you inspect the damage.
Take steps to protect your property. Maybe you need to spread a tarp over a section of the roof. Maybe you need to pick up shingles in the yard.
Contact your insurance agent. Many times, the damage done to your shingles isn’t a large enough amount of money to file a claim when you factor in your deductible.
Get an estimate to see how much the repairs will cost you.
If your car is damaged by hail or a fallen tree limb, you will need to have comprehensive coverage on your auto policy. Have a discussion with your insurance agent to be sure you can get the damage repaired. Again, get an estimate to see how much the repairs will cost you.
Your agent is there to help you in the case of a weather event that causes property damage. Reach out to get advice, after the danger of the storm has passed.
