Blog post:
🌤 We know what you’re thinking — how is it July already? With the summer months flying by with vacation plans, hikes, and fishing, take a little time this month to take care of your home. Keep reading for a list of often-overlooked tasks that future-you will be happy you tackled ahead of time.
1. Clean up outdoor lights.
Keep your outdoor area well-lit by cleaning your outdoor light fixtures. If the surround and glass is easily removable, bring inside for a wash in a plastic bin filled with warm water and a mild dish soap. If the fixtures are not removeable, turn off the power and wipe down the entire exterior and any glass, remembering to wipe dry with a soft microfiber cloth. When they’re nice and sparkly clean, change lightbulbs if needed.
2. Wash your windows.
After a rainy June, let the sunshine in by removing dirt and grime from your windows. There are countless ways to tackle this task, but our favorite is this tutorial by House Work™. Pressed for time? A simple glass cleaner, window squeegee, and clean rag will get the job done.
3. Inspect your screens.
Dust and pollen tend to build up on your window and door screens, earning it a place on this spring cleaning list. For a quick cleaning, run a vacuum with a dusting attachment over the entire surface of your screens. For a deeper clean, check out another tutorial by House Work™ that is super satisfying to watch. Have any tears or snags? Make sure to keep the creepy-crawlies out with a screen patch kit.
4. Tidy your garage
With summer vacations and outdoor activities ramping up, it’s likely that your garage or shed has become a bit of a catch-all. Take an evening after work to remove everything from the space, sweep the entire floor, and install new wall-mounted storage if needed. Go through all the contents and dispose of anything you don’t need anymore, and organize what’s left over into categories that make sense to you and your lifestyle.
If you’re planning to add new storage, make sure to order your system soon to have it in time for your garage clean-out. Build your new system with OrganizedLiving.com and bring your product list to your local Kenyon Noble to place your order today!
5. Refresh summer textiles.
Nothing brings the summer weather inside like clean, crisp linens. On laundry day, throw in an extra load of summer bedsheets, cushion covers, and curtains. Brighten dingy fabrics using a versatile stain remover like Oxi Clean, or use bleach for your whitest whites.
6. Reduce water usage.
Let’s be honest — water conservation is something we could all be better about. Some of my favorite ways to cut down on water don’t actually take any additional effort, like emptying water bottles into my houseplants for a little extra hydration. If you water your lawn or have outdoor plants, try watering during the cooler, early morning hours. This prevents water from evaporating under the hot summer sun before the roots have a chance to soak it up.
7. Practice fire safety with your landscaping.
With fire season right around the corner, it’s important to remove any potential fire-fuel from your lawns and outdoor living spaces. Use a leaf rake to round up any fallen leaves and smaller branches, and remove any weeds or brush that could light up with a simple spark. You can use a yard waste bag for easy disposal, or add to a compost bin to feed your garden.
8. Inspect your decks and fences.
Do a full walk-around of your fencing, railings, and decks and take note of any damaged boards, broken hardware, or sagging areas. Once you have a good idea on what needs done, stop in at your local Kenyon Noble today and speak with our friendly staff to get the supplies and direction you need to get your outdoor space ready for outdoor entertaining.
If your deck is beyond repair, stop in at the Kenyon Noble Service Counter to see about getting a new deck ordered so you can entertain and enjoy your outdoor space without worry.
9. Add a shaded area to your outdoor space.
With the summer months feeling so short, you’ll likely want to maximize your time outside. Find relief from the hot summer sun and add some shade to your yard or balcony. Maybe it’s finally time you put up that Pergola your wife found on Pinterest, made easy by Linx Simplified Pergola Systems, available at Kenyon Noble! Fully customizable to your space, wants, and needs, this system can be easily installed in an afternoon and will last for years to come. Stop in at the Kenyon Noble Service Counter today to learn more! Pro-tip: make your new pergola Pinterest-worthy by adding string lights!
Apartment living keeping you from making a big decision? You might consider a patio umbrella or a shade sail that you can take with you when you decide to move.
10. Keep your home safe while you’re away.
Leaving your home unattended for an extended period of time brings up its own kind of anxiety. Besides having a friend or trusted neighbor check in every day or two, you might also want to install a security camera that you can check remotely and add motion sensing floodlights to blind spots around the home. You could also consider adding a timer to your outdoor lights, programmed to turn outdoor lights on and off at certain hours of the day. Additionally, letting neighbors know you’ll be away and asking them to keep an eye out for anything strange can also bring peace of mind.
While do-it-yourself projects can be fun and fulfilling, there is always a potential for personal injury or property damage. We strongly suggest that any project beyond your abilities be left to licensed professionals such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Any action you take upon the information on this website is strictly at your own risk, and we assume no responsibility or liability for the contents of this article.