To-do list

remove all the cocoons.

6. Clean the

medicine cabinet

Here, too, it makes sense to take everything out, clean the space, then put back only what you still need. But if you find medications that are expired or that you no longer take, be careful to dispose of them properly. By far the best option is to take them to a drug takeback location, such as a pharmacy or police department. The Drug Enforcement Administration has an online tool for finding one near you; you can also search through Google Maps, which may work better from a cellphone. If you can’t find a feasible location, the Food and Drug Administration has what it calls a “flush list” of medicines and products (such as a fentanyl patch) that should be flushed down a toilet immediately, because they will probably be misused and are so potent that a single dose could kill a child or pet. Yes, some flushed drugs might get into waterways. But the FDA says that risk is small compared with the great risk these drugs pose to people in a household who might misuse them, and to the amount of drugs that wind up in waterways anyway because they have passed through humans. Lotions, cosmetics and similar products you no longer use should go in household trash. To dispose of insect repellent with DEET, check out your community’s options for household hazardous waste.

7. Get out the duster

When sunshine streams in through a window on a winter day, it’s easy to see and whisk away cobwebs that go unnoticed in other light conditions. But the lowlight days are fleeting. To banish cobwebs, get a duster with polyester fibers (they attract dust with electrostatic action) and a handle that’s long enough to reach ceilings. (The Ettore Cleaning Critters one with 59-inch reach is $11.99 at Ace Hardware.) You can also pin an electrostatic dust cloth around a broom or reach for a vacuum brush with a wand extension. Whatever you use, clean the highest areas first and work your way down. Besides the walls, dust off fan blades, blinds and lampshades. Finish by vacuuming furniture, then the floor.

8. Check fire extinguishers

If you have a fire extinguisher, make sure it will work when you need it. Most extinguishers sold for home use are not rechargeable, but they do gradually deplete over time and need to be replaced every 12 years — or even earlier if the gauge reads empty. While you’re checking, reread the instructions, so you’re ready if a fire does occur. And if you don’t have extinguishers, this is a good time to add them. The kitchen and the garage are prime locations. Lightweight extinguishers are less expensive but have more limited capacity. For example, the Kidde basicuse fire extinguisher with easy mount bracket ($24.97 at Home Depot) weighs less than four pounds but sprays out a dry chemical for just eight seconds. The Kidde full-home extinguisher ($49.97) weighs 8.25 pounds and discharges for 13 seconds.

9. Wipe down the bathroom

Tubs and showers keep us clean, but over time, the mist they produce and the bits of soap carried in the droplets lead to dark, dingy areas on the ceiling and walls. What you’re seeing is mildew, and it can probably be wiped off easily with nothing more than warm water and a clean cloth. Don’t focus on “killing” the mildew with bleach or other cleaners. There are always more than enough mold spores floating around in the air to result in another infestation when conditions are right. Instead, focus on making the conditions inhospitable. That means removing the food source (soap residue) and lowering the humidity by running a fan after each shower or bath. You might need a ladder to reach the ceiling. Also wipe off the grill for the fan and clean any light fixtures.

Have a problem in your home? Send questions to localliving@washpost.com. Put “How To” in the subject line, tell us where you live and try to include a photo.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE F8

Branch Parkway, $360,000.

Rebecca E. Lesure to Luis Alicea and Lucia Alicea, 119 Slater Ave., $220,000.

Reinaldo Bermudez to Elioenai Rodriguez, 34 Campechi St., $210,000.

Suk Majhi, Bhima Majhi, Arjun Majhi and Jagat Majhi to Padam Gajmer, Shova Gajmer, Shova Lagoon Gajmer, Damber Biswa and Subash Luhagun, 463-465 Belmont Ave., $260,000.

Thomas A. Goodrow, representative, Daniel Hebert, representative, Rita S. Veale, estate, Rita A. Veale, estate, and Daniel C. Hebert, representative, to Hugh Alex Harline and Kaitlyn Elizabeth Wirt, 46 Birchland Ave., $245,000.

Todd M. Bonett to Eulogio T. Felix and Maria Felix, 35 Archie St., $225,000.

Tuan Anh Tran to Shanique R. Green, 849-851 Worthington St., $298,000.

City Of Homes Real Estate Ventures LLC, to Nicolas A. Valentine, 249 Gresham St., $273,500.

Sunderland

Marjorie A. Gordon to Norbert R. Kaminski and Meghan N. Kaminski, 20 Reservoir Road, $323,750.

Wales

Everett W. Herrick and Daraporn Herrick to Walter William Herrick, 233 Union Road, $100,000.

Ware

Arthur P. Demers to Arthur P. Demers and Jason Allan Demers, 416 Palmer Road, $100. Qingxin Tian to Thomas Collins and Shannon Hard, 3 Pleasant St., $190,000.

Charles E. Dowd to Eric C. Dowd, 113 River Road, $40,000.

Richard A. Anair Jr., and Judy Ann Anair to Daniel J. Luksha and Amy C. Luksha, 2 Quarry St., $361,000.

Wendell

Renee Wingertsman, trustee of the Wingertsman Living Trust, to Jason Tolzdorf and Emily Tolzdorf, Locke Hill Road, $21,000.

West Springfield

Chris S. Laboranti, Alison M. Bruhm and Alison M. Laboranti to

Christopher Mulcahy and Aleah M. Mulcahy, 621 Amostown Road, $359,000.

Frances Marshall to Ram B. Tamang, 468 Birnie Ave., $224,900.

Linda A. Marzano, trustee, and Marzano Revocable Living Trust, trustee of, to Norman Cortis and Anthony Cortis, 95 Park Ave., Apt 12B, $86,000.

West Springfield Town to CGS Realty LLC, 231 Western Ave., Unit 2A2, $25,000.

Westfield

Francis James Simmitt and Helena Kratochvil Mochak to Helena K. Mochak, 20 Cross St., $185,500.

Helena Kratochvil Mochak to Helena K. Mochak and Francis J. Mochak Jr., 20 Cross St., $100. Mitchell R. Barnes to Vladislav Biley, 82 South Maple St., Unit 43, $125,000.

Whately

William J. LaSalle, personal representative of the Estate of James H. LaSalle, to Jason Carlos Viadero, 298 Haydenville Road, $400,000.

Wilbraham

2301 Boston Road LLC, to Doris J. Solt, 29 Lodge Lane, $511,000.

Cynthia L. Catuogno to Riccardo Albano, 7 Surrey Lane, $435,000. Kevin M. Ryan to Nancy L. Ryan, 12 Maplewood Drive, $100.

Nancy L. Ryan to Laura Marie Findlay and Lisa Ann Wetherell, 12 Maplewood Drive, $359,900. Richard K. Eyer and Rhonda Lozinski to William H. Kemple and Edward J. Walsh, 49 Bartlett Ave., $310,000.

Williamsburg

Nona Clary Seredynski and Forrest F. Clary to Matthew Bienia and Charles Bienia, 84 Briar Hill Road, $255,000 .