I don’t know about you but this year has been sort of wonky weather-wise. Winter felt like an episode of Game of Thrones (“winter is coming, winter is coming”) And Spring….well I don’t think we’ve had a “proper” spring. Where I am its FREEZING right now. It’s June!!!! But I say that to say that I feel sort of behind on my to do list of items around the house. I kind-a sort-a missed the boat on spring cleaning….BUTTT to heck with it. Cleaning and struggling to maintain order is a year round process…well for me. I’m sure for you guys it’s totally different (totally rolling my eyes right now). But I thought I’d share a few things I do, maybe even a few things I should do .
get a sturdy ladder and store bought cleaner or some DIY cleaner you can make
it yourself (one cup alcohol, one cup water, and one cup white vinegar) and a
cloth. No need for abrasive cleaners or high pressure spray washer. If you do,
be warned you might scratch the glass or crack the caulking. If you had a harsh
winter and your screens were in place, you should clean them with a mild
detergent. Remove your screens to wash, and lay down on a dry surface to air
dry. You should never power wash your screens.
get a bit grimy due to built up soap deposits with the combination of heat and humidity. There is also mold & mildew. This is where bleach goes a long way. Spray a mixture of bleach and water on the walls and allow it to sit before wiping it down. Also check for worn or missing grout because this is a sign of water damage that should be repaired.
for optimal use). For window and portable units, ensure the drain pans are clean and are doing their job sufficiently by draining. Dust may have collected on the unit vents. This can be cleaned using a vacuum hose. It is always prudent to have your system serviced annually to by a professional to reduce the possibility of coming home on a 100-degree day and there’s no air condition.
often as simple as a dehumidifier. However, finding the source of the dampness is crucial. There could be a whole host of reasons as to what’s causing moisture to get into your basement from a problem with your gutters to unleveled grounds around the basement foundation. Either way this is something that should be inspected by a professional. If the moisture isn’t addressed, it could lead to mold and or foundation deficiencies.
Fire safety – In case you forgot to change those batteries in the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors when time sprang forward at the beginning of spring you should probably do so now. Test them to make they are working properly. Please note you should test your smoke detectors monthly.
Thanks for the cleaning checklist! It contains everything I need to clean and maintain wight now. Just would like to mention that is extremely important to clean the AC, because all the bacteria and dust at the end we breath it!
Thank you Meghan, You are absolutely right. Cleaning the air ducts and changing the filter is essential and potentially harmful if not maintained.