It’s that time of year when the days begin to get noticeably shorter and the air starts to get that crisp feeling in the mornings. That’s right, we are headed towards fall. And though fall brings many exciting things like football, beautiful scenery and pumpkin flavored everything, it should also be a time when you are thinking about your home.
Transitions between seasons should always be a time when you get out that to-do list at home. Much like we transition our clothing according to the season, we should also be transitioning things in our homes. Below are some end-of-summer house to-do’s.
· Check the sealing/caulking on your windows and doors. If it needs to be repaired or replaced, now is the time to do so before the weather starts to get colder.
· Replace air filters. During the hot, humid summer months, mold and mildew are more likely to take growth. Change out the air filters to ensure you go in to fall with clean air!
· Clean out both indoor and outdoor garbage cans. You know you’ve been putting it off even though the hot days have made them sticky and stinky.
· Scrub down your kitchen sink and clean out the garbage disposal. Again, the hot and humid months create a wonderful place for bacteria to grow. Use garbage disposal cleaner to remove small clogs and to disinfect. To remove stains in your sink try using bleach or lime cleaner. (Always use caution when using chemicals)
· Scrub down the bathroom. It’s often hard to keep the humidity down in a bathroom, especially during the summer months. Once again, we have a space that is a breeding ground for mold, mildew and bacteria. Give the entire bathroom a good scrub down and start fall off with a clean slate.
· Check your gutters. If they’ve acquired a lot of debris over the summer, you will want to get them cleaned before the fall rain and eventually snow.
· Vacuum furniture and curtains. With the tendency to keep fans on and windows open in the summer, furniture and curtains build up with dust.
· Check your deck or patio and look for any cracks, holes or chipping. Get these repairs taken care of before the wet and cold months come.
· Go through your closet. Get rid of any summer clothing you have not used all summer long. Let’s face it, if you haven’t worn it by now, you likely won’t. This will cut down on the amount you have to store over the winter.
· Figure out how you will store outdoor furniture, toys, etc. If you want to continue to use these items into the fall, go for it! But have a plan ready, so when the snow decides to fall you can quickly put these items away without having to make room for them first.
These are just a few things you may want to put on your to-do list as the summer comes to an end. Keeping up with these small household maintenance to-do’s can make a big difference in the long run!