When you think of summer, do you think of warm (sometimes hot) days, barmy nights, barbecues with friends and visits to the beach?
Despite the recent wet weather events, summer is just around the corner.
With longer daylight hours, you’ve got a lot of socialising and relaxing to look forward to but there are some things around your home that probably need to be done so you can enjoy the summer season to its fullest.
Here’s a list of 7 things you can start checking off now to ensure your home is ready for summer.
#1 Deep Clean Your BBQ
If you’re in Queensland, you might use your BBQ sporadically throughout the year but now is a good time to give it a good scrub down ready for the onslaught of daily delicious outdoor summer dishes.
The best way to give your BBQ a deep clean is to first set it on high heat and let it run for 10 minutes. This loosens any built-up gunk and makes it easier to scrape off. Let cool then soak the grates and grill trays in a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, dishwashing liquid and water. Scrub them as needed but you’ll be amazed at how they come back to looking near-new. Some people claim that beer or coffee makes it easy to clean the BBQ too.
#2 Spiff Up Your Sunporch
When summer arrives you’ll be wanting to spend a lot more time outside. If your outdoor space is looking a bit tired, there are plenty of ways you can spruce it up. Spiff up your summer space by washing the cushion and seat covers on your outdoor lounge and washing down your chairs and benches. Invest in some new, fresh plants, Christmas-style mood lighting and a nice mat. For some other ideas, check out our blog “Balcony Blitz” here.
#3 Clean Windows & Screens
Windows and screens can attract a lot of dust and muck over winter which can actually affect energy efficiency. It’s nice to start summer with clean windows and screens but one of the biggest headaches for most people is how to avoid streaks. Well, the trick is to use alcohol-based cleaners, though our cheaper and eco-friendlier choice is a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water.
Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth to remove dust and dirt first then wash your windows from the top down using the cleaning solution. Use a squeegee or a clean, lint-free cloth to remove the liquid. You can use paper towels to absorb any remaining drips. Be careful using newspaper as some of the ink is petroleum-based which could leave smears. Also, don’t use a razor blade to remove stubborn spots as this might scratch. Instead, use rubbing alcohol on the corner of a microfibre cloth.
Remove fly-screens, soak them in hot, soapy water if you can or gently hose them. For fixed security screens, you may be better off using hot, soapy water with a soft brush than a hose.
#4 Test Your Air-Conditioner
There’s nothing more annoying than when it’s a sweltering hot day, you go to turn on the air-conditioner and it doesn’t work. Now is a good time to clean the filters, check the batteries in the remote controls, clear any debris from the exterior unit and hose it if needed and most importantly, check the airflow is cold and powerful. Of course, if you notice anything that doesn’t look or seem right, check in with your local electrician.
#5 Exterior Touch-Up
A coat of paint can freshen up any tired-looking areas around your home. Take a good walk around your home and note any peeling, bubbling or faded paint. The most common areas needing attention are usually the fence, guttering, decking and the dog kennel or kids’ cubby.
Pull out any leftover paint and touch up these areas or better still, spend some time sanding back problematic areas and giving them a good coat of paint. With the humidity rising in the air in Queensland, use paint that will deter mould so the wood is protected from rotting. This can save thousands of dollars which might be needed for repairs in the long run.
#6 Prepare the Pool
If you’re lucky enough to own a pool, you’ll want to make sure it’s ready to enjoy when the hot weather hits. Tips to prepare your pool include topping it up if needed, testing the health of your pool water and checking that all the equipment works and is in good condition eg the filter system, pump, strainer, lights and hoses.
Also check the hard surface areas in and around the pool. Pool tiles can get grubby and slippery over time so you may need to give them a scrub with pool tile cleaner or baking soda. Trim any overhanging branches from trees and shrubs, remove any leaves or twigs around the pool, gurney the area, and check the pool fence and automatic shutting mechanisms on the gates.
If you’re in over your head on testing the pool water or any of the equipment, call in a Pool Professional – they will be happy to help you out.
#7 ‘Greenerise’ Your Home
Plants always look great but did you know having plants inside has health benefits for not just you, but your home? For humans and pets, having plants inside your home can improve air quality, improve mood, reduce fatigue, lower stress and anxiety, improve focus, boost healing and ease respiratory ailments. For the home, plants can inhibit mould growth by absorbing mould and spores. This is a welcoming revelation for Queenslanders who often have trouble with mould growth in their homes.
NASA has done extensive studies of how houseplants cleanse the air and they recommend 15-18 houseplants per 170 square metres. That’s up to around 36-40 for the average-sized Australian home of 420 square metres! The best indoor plant discovered to remove 78% of airborne mould is English Ivy. Other popular species to help clean your indoor air are the Peace Lily, palms, ferns, Fiddle Leaf Fig and orchids. So go crazy – “greenerise” your home and breathe in clean air this summer, and all year round.
Don’t put a damper on your fun this summer by not having your home ready for it. Take on these tips now and check them off so you can truly relax and enjoy the longer days when they arrive.
