Summer is just around the corner, and many of us are looking forward to beach trips and barbecue parties. But summer isn’t great if the weather gets in between us and our fun. Not only that, but summer can be a pretty harsh season for our homes, so we need to make sure our house is summer-ready.
Finish Your Spring Cleaning
May is almost over, but there’s still enough time for you to declutter and reorganize things around the house, reminds The Spruce. It’s necessary and helpful to do deep cleaning regularly, so your house stays well-maintained. Take a look at your pantry, closet, and garage, and get rid of things you’re no longer using. It’s great to keep your things well-organized because it helps you stay on top of your home inventory, keeps your house looking clean, and prevents you from losing your stuff amid the clutter.
Home organizing is actually becoming quite popular, so finding inspiration is pretty easy. You can opt for acrylic organizers for your pantry and fridge, woven baskets for your laundry and bath, or an overhead storage rack for your garage. Aside from these, there are many other ways for you to be creative about organizing. Keep in mind that your goal is to make things more accessible and convenient for you.
Clean Your Outdoor Space
Summer usually means more free time for the kids. They’ll have time to play, run around, and enjoy moving about. That’s why it’s important to make sure that your outdoor space is clean so they have an area they can play around in. Powerwash the deck to clean it off, clean outdoor chairs and tables, so they’re fit for use again, clear the gutters and roof, check for leaks, and mow the lawn- do the whole cleaning deal! And make sure you do it before summer because you never want to do physically strenuous activities while contending with the summer heat.
Get Rid of Bugs (or Prevent Bugs From Setting Camp)
Of course, while you’re cleaning the house in preparation for summer, make sure to clear out any potential hideouts for bugs and other pests (Greatist) too. Insects like to go out during the summer, potentially triggering any allergies in your family. Ensure there are no containers where water can get to and become breeding spots for mosquitoes. Make sure to throw away any biodegradables before flies, and other stink bugs get to them and become a problem later.
Stock Up On Summer Essentials
Of course, what’s a summer spent without having at least one barbecue party? We all love to spend our summers with our friends and family, enjoying a beer or two with the best family recipe barbecue you have. But that won’t be possible without prior planning, so it’s best to stock up while it’s early. Being under the sun can be harsh to your skin, so making sure you have enough sunblock for yourself and some spare bottles for anyone who forgets to bring theirs can help.
You’ll want to protect yourself from pesky bugs like mosquitoes at night, so insect repellent lotion or bug spray should be on your list. And perhaps this might be often overlooked, but your barbecue supplies need to be replenished. Ensure you have charcoal, wood, gas, and lighter for your barbecue.
Other supplies you might want to consider are your gardening supplies. Check your garage and see if your lawnmower is still up and running fine and if you have enough gas for it. You should also check your garden hose or your sprinkler system, so you can maintain your lawn more diligently. Lastly, check your garden lights to see if some need replacement or repair.
Ensure Your Air Conditioner Is Working Well
Obviously, the defining factor of summer is that it’s hot. Oftentimes, very hot. To truly prepare for summer, making sure your cooling devices are ready to go is important. Ensure that your HVAC is cleaned and has no problems and that you have spare electric fans when it gets unbearably hot. If you don’t have an air conditioner, or just in case yours suddenly acts up, consider renting a portable air conditioner as it can save you from the heat without having to pay the exorbitant fees that are often associated with buying a new one, say the experts at Rescue Cooling.
Summer is one of the best seasons just to kick back and relax. But to do that, you want to be prepared by doing your chores beforehand. Otherwise, you’ll have to contend with the summer heat while cleaning your house.