Top Tips for Spring Cleaning as Seen at the Maryland Home & Garden Show

For many homeowners, springtime is reserved for refreshing and revitalizing. Maryland Home & Garden Show producer Jay Plummer couldn’t agree more. In preparation for the warmer weather to come, Jay offers his top five tips for spring cleaning. These are but a few of the options for home preparation that can be explained at the two-weekend show, March 2-3 & 8-10, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. With more than 300 home improvement exhibitors on site displaying the latest products and services, visitors will have no trouble finding creative ideas, expert advice and innovative solutions for everything on their spring cleaning to-do list.

1. Gutter Solutions
April showers bring May flowers… and clogged gutters. Backup in your gutter system can cause roof materials to rot, leak and break away from the house, or create flooding and water build-up in places where it shouldn’t. Preventative maintenance, including cleaning, repairing or installing guards can save you from havoc later on.  More than six exhibitors at the Show can help guide you to permanent gutter solutions.

2. Garden Prep
Don’t get stuck doing the dirty work when warmer weather arrives. Preparing your yard and garden beds ahead of time will ensure revitalized soil and healthy plants when spring blooms. Replacing mulch, cutting back dead foliage and clearing downed limbs and plants will leave way for successful planting and pruning in the months to come. Meet with 65 garden supply representatives at the Show to help with your planning, or choose from dozens of landscapers to do the whole job for you.

3. HVAC Tune-up
If last year’s temperatures are any indication (the third warmest year on record!), you will want your air conditioner in top shape to battle the rising thermometer. Scheduling spring maintenance will help your system run more efficiently and last longer. Upkeep should include checking and necessary repairs to ductwork, condensers, wiring, filters and drainage. There are 17 HVAC contractors at the Show to help determine your maintenance needs.

4. Storage Solutions
Winter takes up a lot of space: heavy coats, scarves and gloves, sleds and snow toys. Most homes don’t have adequate closet space to store all of the cold gear while leaving spring and summer supplies accessible. Out-of-season items should be out of sight come springtime. Unused areas, such as attics, basements and crawl spaces, provide a great place to store items not currently in use. The most effective storage solutions have practical organizers for all your gear: hanging racks for clothing, clearly-labeled drawers and bins for accessories and specialty compartments for shoes. The latest in closet and storage designs will be on display at the show from 11 exhibitors. Organization systems are even available for your largest closet- the garage! 

5. Resurfacing
Just like your clothes, your house can become stained and worn too; however, these blemishes can sometimes be more than cosmetic. Harsh winter weather often causes damage to the structure and integrity of major surfaces in homes, such as roofs, concrete driveways, basement walls and countertops. Repairs like waterproofing, reglazing and resurfacing will prolong the lifetime of these surfaces and create a fresh, nearly-new look for older materials. More than 25 exhibitors will be on-hand at the Show to arrange for these updates in your home.

In addition to exhibitors offerings solutions, the Maryland Home & Garden Show features 16 fully-landscaped gardens based on the theme “Films in Flowers,” the Maryland Orchid Society Show and Sale and the Bonsai Show and Sale during the second weekend of the Show and more than 125 craftspeople at the Maryland Spring Craft Show taking place both weekends. Featured entertainers include Dr. Lori with antique appraisal presentations, and Brian Santos, the “Wall Wizard,” offering advice on working with wallpaper, paint and faux finishes in his painting seminars.

The Maryland Home & Garden Show at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road in Timonium, will be open two weekends: Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, March 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and the following weekend:  Friday, March 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, March 9, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, March 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $3 for kids ages 6-12, and free for children under 6 years old. Admission to the Maryland Spring Craft Show only is $6. Free parking is available onsite and a free shuttle is available between buildings courtesy of Chesapeake Home and Living.

Ticket discounts are available online at www.mdhomeandgarden.com/spring and from participating Pizza Hut locations. Receive $2 off a ticket purchase at the door with a valid IKEA Family card.

The Maryland Home & Garden Show is sponsored by M&T Bank.

For more information on the Maryland Home & Garden Show, visitwww.mdhomeandgarden.com/spring or call (410) 863-1180