Spring is here, and the sun is finally starting to shine through. This is the perfect time to get out and give your home a post-winter maintenance overhaul. Here are a few things to look for now that you can see EVERYTHING in the sunlight.
ON THE EXTERIOR:
- Check for any gutter for damages
- Make sure downspouts are pointed away from the house
- Look for unearthed electrical lines that may have eroded over winter
- Check for compromised exterior paint problems that should be addressed during the summer
- Bounce on your deck boards to make sure no boards have rotted
- Need to water your lawn? Consider an automatic system that will run in the coolest part of the night to use the least amount of reduce the amount of evaporation and thus use the least amount of water.
ON THE INTERIOR:
Remember that your house needs a few months of warm sunshine to dry out from the long, cold, and wet winter season. In the meantime, here are few suggestions of things you can do to prepare for summer and keep the inside of your home healthy and clean:
- Cleaning windows and skylights to look out more brilliantly and clear away pine needles and accumulated dirt that can slowly cause problems
- Change out vinyl shower curtains for nylon
- Replace bulbs with LEDS
- Water leak detectors under your sink to alert you to any water leaks
- Make sure vacuums have a HEPA filter
And, always use earth-friendly cleaning solutions that you can make yourself with common household products. Here are a couple of our favorite recipes!
All-Purpose Cleaner (Great for Glass)
- 1 cups white distilled vinegar
- 1 cups water
- 4 drops essential oil (optional)
- 2 drops liquid dish detergent
Natural Disinfectant Spray
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1/2 cups white-grain vinegar
- 4 drops lavender oil
- 4 drops tea tree oil