There’s nothing quite like that annual “spring cleaning” feeling where you’re actually inspired to go through, organize and declutter your belongings. If the idea of a clean house leaves you feeling inspired and energized, then let’s keep the cleaning party going, shall we?
Grab your favourite cleaning supplies, crank up your music and start working through this easy summer maintenance checklist.
There’s a method to cleaning that will help you cover ground in your home without having to re-clean surfaces. The general rule of thumb that we recommend is starting up high and working your way down to the floor.
Begin with dusting your light fixtures, ceiling vents and any decor or vases stationed up high. Any dust that isn’t captured by your cleaning products will fall to the floor, and that’s exactly where you want it to go because your vacuum will grab it after. When dusting, avoid using heavily saturated clothes as they don’t capture particles as well as a damp rag or Swiffer duster. From here, work your way down through the walls, furniture and any knick knacks that need a deep clean.
Your last step is to tackle the floor! Deep clean any rugs by vacuuming and shampooing them. If you have hardwood or laminate floors, vacuum before mopping, then let them air dry.
In addition to seasonal cleaning, there are some general maintenance tasks that should be performed to keep things running smoothly in your home.
First on the docket is to check all of your windows to ensure they’re opening properly. Lubricate any sticky hinges and check and replace damaged caulking or weather stripping around your windows and doorways. You’ll be surprised to learn that this can help increase your home’s energy efficiency.
Next, you’ll want to briefly run some water through plumbing fixtures that may not be used as frequently, such as a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink to keep water in the trap. This is also a great time to go around the house and clean out your faucet traps in order to eliminate clogging mineral deposits and other debris.
Don’t forget to also vacuum out all your bathroom fan grills to keep the dust at a minimum.
Finally, check your basement pipes for condensation or dripping and take corrective action. You can do so by reducing humidity and/or insulating cold water pipes. If you have a floor drain in the basement, check it to ensure the trap contains water! While you’re performing maintenance in your basement, it’s important to also check general humidity levels and ensure they don’t exceed 60%.
Make sure you also replace your air conditioning and furnace filters on a regular basis. It’s a good idea to have your air conditioner checked and serviced for regular maintenance as it can help extend the life of the unit
The following outdoor checklist items will help maintain your home’s structural integrity and proactively avoid problems. Start by performing a walk-around all sides of your house and visually inspect for damages or areas that need a deep clean.
Things like cracked sidewalks, driveways or walkways can cause injury and summer is the best time to make necessary repairs! Regular maintenance will be required due to the expansion and contraction of water with freezing and thawing temperatures.
Make sure you also take the time to check for any holes in the exterior cladding that could be an entry point for small pests. If any holes are found, make sure you seal them off right away.
You should check the condition of your roof every summer by climbing up for an inspection or using binoculars. Pay close attention to any sagging or areas that could indicate structural problems that require further inspection from the attic.
Now that you have a handy checklist it’s time to get to work. We recommend writing down the items that are applicable to your home and only starting what you’re able to complete in one day to avoid overwhelm.
Happy cleaning!
