Although this summer might be a bit different than other summers, some things are still the same. Kids don’t have school zoom classes, and the weather is perfect for those backyard BBQs.
To get the best out of your home and yard this season, here are some quick tips to help you out!
1. Wash your house!
As funny as it sounds, it’s literally just that! Although pressure washing might be too harsh, doing a soft wash is perfect to get rid of pesky mold and bacteria, as well get some nice curb appeal.
2. Clean your A/C filter.
For some evil reason, air conditioner units seem to break down, or stop working as well as they should, right about now. Make sure to clean your filters to promote the best, and coolest air flow. You can rinse them with warm water, or, use a vacuum cleaner. (Filters should be cleaned out every two weeks while they’re being used!)
3. Reverse your fans.
Did you know you can that you can switch your ceiling fan’s blade direction for warmer seasons? During the summer, your fan should be spinning counter-clockwise for a better breeze. You might have noticed a little switch on the base of the fan, above the blades. To switch, just turn off your fan, flip the switch, and turn your fan back on.
4. Wash your windows from the outside.
We often forget about cleaning the outside of our windows, so this is the perfect time to get on it. Hot, soapy water and some scrubbing will do the trick just fine.
5. Don’t forget the window screens!
Window screens need some loving, too. Just because you can still see through them, doesn’t mean they are clean. Lucky for you, similar to windows, all you need is hot and soapy water and a soft brush. If they are beyond cleaning or repairing, then you might need to replace the screen material, or the frame all together.
6. Your washing machine needs washing, too.
It might not be so obvious to think that a washing machine might need some washing up itself. But, it’s quite easy and so worth it. Check out the door seals to see if there is any build up. This can produce odors and stains on your clothes. To clean it, use a mix of 3/4 bleach to 1 gallon of warm water and let it sit on the dirty area for about 5 minutes. Then just wipe it away and allows it to dry.
7. Clean your garbage disposal and dishwasher.
For a clean dishwasher, pour a couple of cups of vinegar at the bottom of the machine and run on low. Your washing machine is not the only appliance that needs some care. Like some of the instructions above, all you need to do to clean out your garbage disposal is dump some hot water and dish soap.
8. Wipe down your baseboards.
Baseboards are an awkward thing to clean. They’re so close to the ground that it can be easy to forget about them, so cleanup can be quite a drag. But if you can give them a good wipe down once a year, you’ll keep your trim looking great for a long time.
9. Wash down your decks, patios, driveway and walkways.
Finally, we recommend you give your paved outdoor areas a good pressure wash to eliminate buildup and keep everything looking nice and fresh. Your patios and decks will thank you and be calling out your name this summer. (Be careful using your pressure washer to make sure you’re not causing any damage.
