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Your spring checklist: Get stuff done, then have some fun

Dave with a bucket and duster, cleaning a kitchen It's time for a clean sweep of that cleaning routine. Dave shares his most overlooked spots.

Spring it on, from cleaning and getaways, to gardening to giveaways

Just as sunlight streaming into a room exposes dust you swear wasn't there yesterday, spring has a way of revealing all kinds of little surprises, including a to‑do list you might prefer to tiptoe past. Tackle it now, then get back to soaking up everything the warmer weather has in store.

Spring isn't meant for getting buried in boring chores. We're here to help make your spring cleaning simpler, smarter, and a lot more satisfying, with extras like B.C. getaways, fresh local finds, garden‑ready inspiration, and power smart tips for those longer, brighter days. 

Your "oops, I forgot" spring cleaning list

Spring has a way of spotlighting all the little jobs we swear we'll get to "one day" — those overlooked, out‑of‑sight, out‑of‑mind tasks that quietly pile up over winter. This list rounds up some of the most forgotten fixes, and the ones that make a surprisingly big difference once you finally give them a little attention.

We've included a few DIY links to get you started, and for anything else, a quick online search (or a trusty YouTube tutorial) will show you exactly how to do it right.

  1. Dust and clean window coverings: If you skip this step, you'll end up replacing blinds or curtains long before you should, potentially at double the cost. A quick clean now goes a long way.
  2. Check your fridge door seal, then clean the coils: Empty and wipe down the inside of your fridge, but don’t forget the seal. A worn or dirty one leaks cold air and wastes energy. Learn how to do it.
  3. Check the expiry date on the fire extinguisher: When's the last time you looked? While you're at it, make sure everyone in your home knows where it lives and how to use it.
  4. Clean fan and furnace filters, and dryer ducts: Bathroom fans, range hood filters, and dryer ducts are easy to forget, but they clog quickly. And if you're not regularly changing your furnace or cleaning your heat pump filter, you're adding stress — and potential damage — to your HVAC system.
  5. Vacuum (and maybe deep clean) those couch cushions: Think about it. You wash your clothes regularly, but you neglect your couch cushions.
  6. Wash your bed pillows, not just the pillowcases: Most pillows can go straight into the washing machine. Foam pillows are usually the exception, so check the product's care instructions first.
  7. Clean your kitchen cleaning pads and tools: Sponges and scrub pads can harbour more bacteria than a toilet bowl. Wash or sanitize them at least once a week to keep them fresh and safe.
  8. Clean your washing machine and dishwasher: It's been a long, long lonely winter... and your washing machine needs your help. The Home Depot has great instructions online on how to clean a front-load washer.
  9. Sanitize TV remotes and light switches: So many snacks, so little attention to the things we touch all the time with our dirty fingers. Remove the batteries before disinfecting remotes, let everything dry completely, then pop the batteries back in.
  10. Discard expired prescriptions, and update your first aid and emergency kits: Don't flush old medications. Bring them to a pharmacy for proper disposal, and take a minute to restock your first aid and emergency kits while you're there.

As clocks spring forward, try these bright ideas for longer days

Start by soaking up as much natural light as you can. Sunshine helps regulate your body's internal clock and gives your mood and energy a lift. Plan your grocery runs or local errands for clear days, and ditch the car in favour of foot power wherever possible.

With the clocks springing forward, it's also a perfect time to turn daylight savings into energy savings.  Open window coverings to let the brighter days in, and consider moving any large bulky furniture away from south or west facing windows to maximize the solar warmth. Here are a few more bright ideas:

  • Turn down your thermostat as temperatures climb, and make sure your programmable thermostat is set to the new time.
  • Use lighting controls like dimmers, timers, and motion sensors to keep things efficient and adjust them to match the brighter season and longer days.

From farm to fork: your guide to local, seasonal produce

We're lucky in B.C. Thanks to our incredible greenhouse growers, we can enjoy fresh, locally produced vegetables all year long. You can also find great seasonal stuff at farmers' markets, including year-round and winter markets in several communities. In March, look for fresh apples, cabbage, cucumbers, kale, leeks, onions, peppers and tomatoes in southwest B.C. Across the province, you'll also find plenty of B.C.-grown stored, dried, or frozen produce — including beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, garlic, parsnips, rutabaga, shallots and turnips.

Don't count cabbage out. Try one of these eight tasty recipes, like seared sausage with cabbage and Pink Lady apples, or baked cabbage and potato buns (piroshki).

Did you know? Most B.C. apples are harvested in late summer and fall, but Pink Lady apples hang on the longest and are typically picked in October and November.

Break free for a B.C. getaway: skiing, music, whales, rugby….

B.C. is a year-round playground, and the next couple months are no exception.

If you like to ski or ride (or just party), consider heading to Sun Peaks for the Spring Snow Fest March 20-22 or the Altitunes Music Fest April 3-4, to Silver Star for the Seismic Spring Mountain Festival March 27 to April 5, and to Whistler for the World Ski and Snowboard Festival April 6-12.

Looking to race? The Schuss Boomer Downhill celebrates its 40th season at Hudson Bay Mountain Resort in Smithers on April 3-5. It's a one-of-a-kind event that features races for all ages and ability levels.

Here's a small sampling of other fun around B.C. this month:

Did you know? If it's in B.C., you can get there in an electric vehicle. Our fast charging network now includes more than 800 charging ports at 180 sites in communities and along most highways throughout B.C.

Make energy efficiency your spring project, and use our rebates

Include a few energy‑efficiency upgrades on your spring to‑do list, starting with draftproofing. It's not just essential to stop air loss in winter — plugging leaks and cracks around doors and windows also pays off as the weather heats up.
Visit the Power Smart Shop to find the most efficient products available at our partner retailers — from appliances and thermostats to lighting, TVs and showerheads. If you’re planning home renovations, check out our rebates on windows and doors, insulation, heat pumps, and heat pump water heaters.

And if you've been thinking about solar, this might be your year. Explore our rebates on solar panel and battery storage systems to help make the switch even easier.

Go greener in the garden

Pick native B.C. plants that are naturally suited to local conditions. They generally need less water and care, and they help support local wildlife — including bees, butterflies, birds, and other beneficial insects.

If you live in the Lower Mainland, rely on this excellent guide to eco-friendly lawns and gardens in Metro Vancouver.

6 ideas for growing a drought-tolerant garden

10 easy ways to stop wasting water and electricity