Wherever you are in the world, summer is fast approaching! The cold and rainy days are finally brightening up, and the sun is finally peeking its head around the corner.
Oftentimes, a new season is a time for a different set of household tasks; because like anything in life, our homes have different requirements for different seasons. So while we're all for enjoying spring as much as possible, this season also represents a brilliant period in which to prepare your home for summer – before the seriously warm weather oh-so-quickly rolls around (not that we’re on a countdown or anything….)
Preparing your home for summer involves getting certain summer items ready to use again after a winter of neglect – as well as sorting out areas that have had lots of use in winter, and are ready to be packed away for summer.
If you're looking for a quick and easy checklist of chores to tackle in your home before summer gets here, here are the tasks the experts recommend swiftly scheduling in; from spring cleaning to home organizing ideas.
5 home tasks to tackle before summer
Putting together a list of tasks that will pay off when the next season rolls around is absolutely something you'll thank yourself for when the first seriously sunny day appears. Because there's nothing worse than having an unexpected heatwave and a dirty deck, a wardrobe full of winter clothes, and a summer tools and toys that aren't yet ready to be used!
1. Sorting out your winter and summer wardrobe
When the warmer weather arrives we all need a wardrobe that's more suitable for wearing in the heat, so closet organization ideas are one of the first places you should start if you want to get your home prepped for summer.
There are all sorts of ways you can do this, but the most essential part of getting this task done is to ensure all of your heavy winter items are stowed away in a less essential spot – while your summer clothes and accessories are moved to a prime position, if they aren't there already.
For example, Lindsey Mahanna, professional organizer and founder of Clutter to Clarity suggests, 'in your mudroom area, swap out winter hats and gloves for baseball caps and sunscreen. Dig out bathing suits and goggles and make sure everything fits or buy new as needed.
'Also, find those summer sandals and flip flops and make sure everything is in good working order and still fits for the upcoming warm weather.'
It can also be a good time to declutter, she points out. 'As the season for winter clothes ends, look through your closet and drawers. Are there any winter clothes that you didn't wear all season? Donate them. If you didn't wear it this year, let it go.'
If you’re on the hunt for storage solutions for the winter items you’re packing away to ensure they stay in excellent condition, expert organizer at TaskRabbit, Vanessa G. suggests 'using large plastic storage bags which you can suck the air out of are ideal, and are the key to storing things in an efficient manner!'
Lindsey Mahanna is a professional organizer and founder of Clutter to Clarity, an organizing service based in New Jersey. As a busy working mom and former CPA with over 20 years of experience in accounting and human resources, she knows how customized organizational systems can calm the chaos of life. She aims to work with clients to bring clarity to their spaces through decluttering and organizing.
2. Cleaning and decluttering your outdoor spaces
If you’re anything like us, you’re probably planning on spending as much time as possible outside when the warmer weather finally arrives. If that's the case, now is the perfect time to make sure your outdoor areas are in the best shape possible – ensuring you don’t miss out on any sunny days.
The first thing to prioritize is cleaning up your seating areas and decking, as well as getting on top of your spring patio prep. Professional organizer and Co-Founder of The Thoughtful Home, Rose Pulver, explains: 'Get your patio and deck areas ready for entertaining by pulling covers off of outdoor furniture, cleaning outdoor cushions, and setting up seating. Taking the time to power wash the house, porches, decks and patios will also freshen up your outdoor areas and make them sparkle!'
If you want to give your patio a serious deep clean to ensure it is gleaming for guests, cleaning expert Will Cotter, COO of FreshSpace Cleaning suggests this method: 'First, grab a broom and sweep away any dirt, leaves, or twigs lying around.
'Mix warm water with some dish soap or mild detergent, and add a cup of white vinegar for extra cleaning power. Stir well until the soap dissolves completely,' he continues. 'Then use a stiff-bristle brush or push broom to apply the solution to the patio surface. Leave the solution on the surface for 10-15 minutes to let it break down the dirt.'
'Finally, rinse off the cleaning solution with a hose or buckets of water, and make sure there’s no soap left. Let the patio dry in the sun.'
Smartening up your green spaces, such as your plants and flowers, is also a wise move – no one wants spend time relaxing outside with dead plants all around them! 'Remove any debris or dead plants leftover from the previous season and clear out weeds to give your garden a fresh start,' cleaning expert Vanessa Terra Bossart, founder of Green Terra Cleaning says. 'Consider planting seasonal flowers or vegetables to add color and interest to your yard as the summer progresses, too.'
Will Cotter is a professional cleaner and the COO of FreshSpace Cleaning, a local cleaning service located in Jacksonville, Columbus, Detroit, Memphis, and Cleveland. His main company is based in Indianapolis, and has sister companies in Oklahoma, Milwaukee, and Louisville.
3. Check your HVAC system
'One of the most important tasks to complete before summer arrives is checking on your HVAC system,' Andre Kazimierski, CEO of Improovy Painters of North Shore explains.
This is because the system has likely had lots of use in winter, meaning it should be assessed into order to ensure your air conditioning element will be able to sustain itself through a warm summer.
The first step is cleaning your HVAC system. 'Thoroughly dust and clean all of the ceiling vents in your home to remove dirt and debris that may have accumulated during the fall/winter,' Andre suggests. Vanessa also recommends replacing any air filters within the system. 'Don't wait until the first heatwave hits to service your cooling systems,' she says. 'Replace air filters regularly to maintain optimal performance and improve indoor air quality.'
If it's in the budget, a professional inspection of the system is also highly advised before summer arrives.
'You'll want to have a professional service the system to ensure your air conditioner is functioning at its best before warmer weather starts!' Andre points out. 'This will ensure you can enjoy a cool, comfortable home throughout the season, and avoid costly repairs during one of the busiest times of the year for HVAC professionals.'
4. Prep your grill
Many of us will be looking forward to lazy summer evenings spent cooking up a feast on our best grills, so to ensure you don’t miss out on a single day of using it, prepare yours now.
Your grill is likely to need some TLC after a long winter, but Will explains that aside from any must-do technical fixes, cleaning it thoroughly should be all you need to do to get it back into great working order.
'First, take out the grill grates and drip pans. Then, to make the deep cleaning more manageable, remove any loose food particles and carbon deposits from the grates using a grill brush or scrape,' he recommends.
'To properly clean your grill, prepare a mixture of warm water and a few drops of dish soap (I usually opt for Dawn dish soap from Walmart), and soak for about 10-15 minutes to loosen grease and grime. While the grates are soaking, use a grill brush or scraper to scrub the insides. Wire brushes (like this one from Amazon) are ideal for cast-iron or stainless steel grates, while nylon brushes are gentle on porcelain-coated grates, and brass brushes work well for softer metals,' Will continues.
Once you're finished cleaning, it's essential to rinse away any cleaning agents you may have used thoroughly, Will says. 'Once you're satisfied, use a hose with a strong stream of water or a bucket of clean water to rinse the grates and inside surfaces. Leave the lid open, then dry naturally, or leave in the sun to dry.'
5. Dust the entirety of your home
If you’re going to get one job done in your home ahead of the summer, Will advises removing as much dust as you can from it – particularly if you suffer with allergies. 'Summer is a high time for allergies, and to prevent or at least give relief to your loved ones, dusting is key,' he says.
While it may be a bit of a lengthier job to try and achieve before summer arrives, it’s well worth investing the time and removing dust from as many spots of your home as you can where it will likely have accumulated during a long winter.
'Take a few minutes to dust surfaces like shelves, tables, and countertops using a regular cloth or a feather duster,' Will suggests. 'For your floors, keep it casual and vacuum with a cleaner that's got a HEPA filter. It's an easy way to remove dust on your carpets, rugs, and furniture.
'And don't forget to pay attention to often-neglected areas like ceiling fans, pet bedding, and the areas around your windows and doors. Finally, seal any gaps or cracks in doors and windows to prevent dust from seeping in.'
You will thank yourself for getting on top of these cleaning and organizing tasks before summer arrives, as a tidy and cleaner home and yard will give you more time to spend with family and friends. Feeling extra productive? You could also tick these outdoor cleaning tasks off your spring cleaning checklist while you're at it!
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