10 Simple Home Maintenance Chores For The Summer Time

Summer is the perfect time to get around to those home maintenance chores you’ve been putting off for a while. Keeping our homes in tip-top shape isn’t just about maintenance; it’s about self-care and creating a space we feel relaxed in. Luckily, home maintenance doesn’t have to take up all your precious time. There are many simple chores you can tackle now that will make a big difference to the function and appearance of your home.

1 . Reverse the fans

Summertime is here, which means you should reverse the ceiling fans in your home. During the summer, it’s best to set your fans to counter-clockwise. This creates a nice breeze by pushing the air down into the room. Simply climb up on a ladder, and locate the switch on the base of your fan. Set the switch to counter-clock wise, and enjoy a nice cool room.

2. Clean the windows

Summer is the perfect time to give your windows a good clean. Put on your music, get out in the sunshine, and start scrubbing! For a great DIY solution to clean your windows, try mixing white vinegar with warm water. White vinegar is perfect for removing grime and giving your windows their shine back. For further natural cleaning solutions, try using ingredients like lemon, baking soda, or olive oil.

3. Inspect the appliances

Take the time to inspect your home appliances to ensure that everything is in proper working order. Start with your refrigerator; you can check that the compressor is working by opening your fridge door, and leaving it open until the compressor starts up. Next, inspect the coils of your refrigerator, any build-up of dirt will compromise the cooling function, so ensure that you clean this off.

Take a look at your oven, and check that the seals are intact all the way around. When your oven seals are damaged, heat escapes and it takes longer to cook. Inspect your dishwasher and your microwave too. If you come across any parts that need replacing, here is where you can find replacement appliance parts.

4. Tidy the garden

Tidy up your garden by getting rid of the old weeds, and planting some beautiful new flowers. Some of the best flowers to plant in the summer are Asters, Sunflowers, or Marigolds. To help you plan the perfect garden, ‘Garden Plan Pro’ is a great app to use. The tools on the app can help you to arrange your plants, create the right layout, and monitor your progress. Here you’ll find growing information for 190+ plants and planting reminders to support your plans. SmartPlant is also a useful app for those looking to get into gardening.

5. Paint the fences

Every once in a while, our fences need a fresh coat of paint to stop them from looking drab. You should clean your fences thoroughly before you start painting. Use a pressure washer if you have one, a hose will do if not. Try painting in a bright colour like purple or blue to give your garden a zest of new life. If you prefer the natural-wood look, use a fence stain instead. Painting your fence will protect the wood from the elements and wear and tear.

6. Inspect the air conditioner

If you have an air conditioner, it’s likely that you’ll be getting plenty of use out of it during the summer. Before you start using it, you should clean out the filter. Simply take a cloth and some warm water, or use a vacuum if you prefer. It’s advisable to clean out your filter every 3 weeks.

7. Clean exterior walls 

During the summer months, your exterior walls may collect mold or mildew. To keep your home looking lovely, use a hose or a pressure washer to scrub this dirt off. All you need is a cloth and some soapy water. A wire brush may come in handy for tough dirt build-ups. When it comes to cleaning, many people prefer to use green-cleaning products, which are better for the environment. A few of the leading green-cleaning brands include ECO, Ecover, and Puracy. These companies use ingredients like plants and essential oils to create earth-friendly products.

8. Clean the grill

To prepare for all those BBQs, it’s time to give your outdoor grill a nice clean. If you have a smaller BBQ, see if you can get your hotplates to fit into the dishwasher. Another thing you can do is to steam clean your BBQ. First, wait for your grill to cool down, then take some wet newspaper, cover the grill, and close the lid. Vinegar is also a good option to clean your outdoor grill, simply add some vinegar to a water spray bottle and spray it over your grill. Use a damp cloth to scrub in the vinegar and water solution.

9. Banish pests

Summer is the prime time for pests in the home! Luckily, there are many things you can do to scare those pests away. Eucalyptus oil is a great natural insecticide; you can dab some onto a cloth and then rub it onto the surfaces inside your house. Focus on the kitchen area especially, you could also try lighting eucalyptus candles. Diatomaceous earth is another great way to keep pests out of your home. You can sprinkle this powder at the edges of your floor, it’s made from natural ingredients and can also be used in the garden.

10. Summer accessories 

With all those chores out of the way, it’s time to jazz up your home with a few fun summer accessories. Colorful bunting is the perfect decoration for the summer, you can hang it inside or outside, whichever you prefer. For your garden, why not treat yourself to a few new ornaments or lanterns? When you’re shopping for garden furniture, keep in mind that colours like yellow and orange are all the rage this season. Garden sofas or swinging chairs are the perfect way to create a relaxing home.