Household Maintenance Summer Camp

There are some unavoidable household maintenance tasks that need to be completed each summer. Your home will thank you for taking the time to do a few important tasks before the fall arrives.

This list features one manageable task that you can tackle over a weekend or two, or spend a week doing your own adult version of Household Maintenance Summer Camp. 

1. Clean Fans and Change the Direction- Your ceiling fans are a best friend in the summer months. Clean the blades with a long handled duster or vacuum hose. Then ensure they are circulating counterclockwise during the warm months to circulate the cooler air downward. 

2. Add New Mulch to Outdoor Garden Beds- Mulch helps to ensure that your flower beds are free from weeds and look sharp throughout the year. 

3. Pressure Wash Surfaces- Walkways, decks, and outdoor furniture can get grimy during the spring and summer pollen season. Use a pressure washer or hire someone to come and clean your outdoor surfaces this summer. 

4. Change Detector Batteries- Each new season is a good time to test out your detectors. Ensure the batteries are fresh and ready to keep your family safe. 

5. Deep Clean Floors- There are several ways to do this. If you have carpet, spot clean and use a rental shampooer to deep clean your carpeted areas and rugs. If you have hardwood or tile, spend some time thoroughly mopping these surfaces for a seasonal deep clean. 

6. Fill any Cracks or Holes in Walkways- Inspect your walkways. Are there any areas that have holes or cracks? These areas pose safety threats if left un-fixed. Clean these areas and patch them to keep your walkways and sidewalks smooth. 

7. Change Your Air Filter- Your air conditioner unit works overtime during these summer months. Make sure you’ve changed the filter to ensure it isn’t struggling with a clogged filter. 

8. Wash Your Windows Inside and Out- Windows can often get overlooked when cleaning your home. Clean the interiors along with the window coverings to freshen up your interior spaces. You can clean the exteriors yourself or hire someone to do the job of cleaning outside. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference it will make to have clean windows. 

9. Clean Garbage Cans- Many homeowners forget that their garbage cans need regular cleaning. Foul smells can accumulate in interior and exterior trash cans. Use some hot soapy water to clean interior garbage cans. Some soap and your garden hose can work well to clean out stuck on grime and remove bad smells from your large outside garbage cans. 

10. Fix Chipped Paint- If you regularly fix exterior paint chips, it will mean less work in the long-run. Small chips become larger spots over time. Use some of your home’s touch-up paint and an inexpensive foam brush for a quick and easy fix. 

11. Clean Gutters- Your gutters will benefit from some TLC each summer. Clean out last year’s leaves and debris so that summer rain will flow through easily. 

12. Deep Clean Kitchen Appliances- Your refrigerator, microwave, oven, and dishwasher work hard for you, make sure to show them some love a few times a year. Vacuum out your refrigerator’s vents, deep clean the drain in your dishwasher, and scrub your oven interior. These are just a few of the ways to deep clean your kitchen appliances so they’ll last a long time and work well for your family. 

We hope that this Household Maintenance Summer Camp is a fun way to spruce up your home for the summer months. Once you’ve completed this summer camp, put up your feed and treat yourself with an ice-cold drink.  You’ve earned it! 

Photo by Dominika Roseclay via Pexels.com.