Month of May home to-do’s: From window cleaning to deck repair to lawn mower maintenance, get your property & home ready for summer fun!
To-Do #1: Clean Garbage Disposal
Get rid of the winter funk in your kitchen by cleaning your garbage disposal. This easy chore takes only a few minutes but can make a big difference in freshening up your sink and kitchen.
To clean a garbage disposal:
- Pour half a cup of baking soda into the disposal.
- Then pour in a cup of white vinegar to form a chemical reaction that cuts through grease and grime inside the disposal.
- Allow the mixture to work its magic for a few minutes.
- Pour a pot of boiling water down the disposal, and let it sit for five minutes.
- Turn on the faucet and run the disposal for a minute or so to rinse out any leftover residue.
To-Do #2: Have Air Conditioner Serviced
Now that the days are warming up, it’s time to have your air conditioning system inspected so it will keep you cool through the hot months ahead. Set up a visit with a licensed HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) professional to inspect and service the unit.
To-Do #3: Clean Glass on Windows and Doors
Spring pollen and rain can make quite a mess of your windows and doors, so take some time this spring to clean window and door glass. It’s best to tackle this chore on a cloudy day when the glass is less likely to streak.
Glass cleaning tips:
- Fill a spray bottle with a solution of one part white vinegar to 10 parts water (1½ cups per gallon).
- Spray the solution on the glass and wipe clean with a fresh microfiber cloth or balled-up newspapers.
- If the glass is really grimy, repeat the process. Make sure the final polish is always done with a clean cloth or dry papers to keep from spreading more dirt on the glass.
To-Do #4: Repair and Clean Window Screens
To keep mosquitoes and other insects out this summer, repair or replace the screens on your windows, then clean the screens to remove any winter dirt or grime. You can get screen repair and patch kits, or locally, take your screen windows/door to Northwoods Hardware Store, in Glen Arbor, MI.
To clean window screens:
- Fill a child’s swimming pool with water, or construct a frame of 2x4s lined with plastic sheeting and fill it with water.
- Add a squirt of biodegradable liquid dish soap to the water.
- Soak the dirty screens in the soapy water for a few minutes.
- Gently clean both sides of each screen using a soft brush or broom.
- Rinse the screens with a hose and allow to dry before reinstalling.
To-Do #5: Repair and Touch Up Siding and Trim
Over time, the paint on the exterior of your house can peel or crack, leaving the siding underneath vulnerable to water damage. Small bare patches can be touched up, saving you the work and expense of painting the entire house.
To-Do #6: Inspect House for Termites
The warmer months of spring and summer are a good time to check around and under your house for termites, since they’re more active and easier to spot. Termite damage, though, can be occur at any time, so grab a flashlight and head outside and into your basement or crawlspace to look for evidence of termite infestation.
Look for damaged wood framing, termite tubes on exterior foundation walls, and the insects themselves. Pay particular attention to areas where wood meets the ground, such as around the foundation perimeter of your home where siding may contact soil or mulch.
To help prevent termites:
- Keep the foundation exposed around the entire perimeter of your house. Avoid piling mulch, soil, firewood, or anything else up against the sides of your home.
- Don’t store wood and cellulose-based materials (such as paper and cardboard) in a basement, crawlspace, or near your home’s foundation.
- Make sure your home has proper drainage.
- Keep your basement or crawlspace as dry as possible, since moisture creates a welcoming environment for termites.
To-Do #7: Clean and Refinish Wood Deck
If the winter has left your wood deck looking worn and shabby, this is a great time of year to spruce it up for summer outdoor entertaining.
To-Do #8: Clean Outdoor Patio Furniture
Weather, temperature changes, the sun, and pollen can wreak havoc on outdoor patio furniture. Here are some quick tips for cleaning a variety of furniture materials.
Outdoor Furniture Cleaning Tips:
- Wrought Iron: Scrub with soap, smooth rough spots with a wire brush or sandpaper, spray with a rust-inhibiting metal primer, and apply several coats of metal spray paint in the desired color.
- Aluminum: Remove oxidation by scrubbing with a mixture of half vinegar and half water. Use automotive rubbing compound, or soap and very fine steel wool, to remove any oxidation, being careful not to scratch the aluminum. Rinse and allow to dry thoroughly, then apply automotive paste wax to protect the finish.
- Plastic and Resin: Scrub with a dampened sponge sprinkled with baking soda to gently scour away grime. Remove mold and mildew by mixing up 1/4 cup white vinegar in a quart of water. Spray it on the surface, let it sit for 10-20 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and let the furniture dry in the sun. White furniture can be cleaned with a weak bleach solution. Shine the furniture by applying automotive paste wax.
- Wood: Scrub cedar, redwood, and pine furniture with a solution of 1/4 cup ammonia and two tablespoons white vinegar per quart of water. Clean teakwood using a solution of laundry detergent, bleach, and water applied with a scrub brush. If desired, apply teak oil after the furniture has thoroughly dried.
- Fabric: If fabric covers are machine washable, remove them and launder according to the instructions on the tag. Replace the covers on the cushions while still wet to reduce shrinkage and ensure a tight fit. Attached cushions can be cleaned by mixing a squirt of dishwashing liquid and a teaspoon of borax in a quart of water. Spray down the fabric and scrub with a sponge or soft brush, and allow to soak for 10-20 minutes. Rinse with a hose and allow to dry. Mildew stains can be removed using regular bleach for white fabrics and color-safe bleach or oxygen bleach for colored fabrics.
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To-Do #9: Maintain Lawn Mower
Before mowing seasons gets into full swing, it’s important to perform the following maintenance on your lawn mower to keep it running smoothly and cutting cleanly.
Article copied on May 8th from “May Home Maintenance Tips” by Danny Lipford. http://www.todayshomeowner.com/may-home-maintenance-to-do-list/