1. Clean Sweep
Stock front porches, decks, and patios with inexpensive brooms that can be quickly grabbed and used for all sorts of cleaning chores. You can use them to brush spider webs from windows, screens, railings, porch ceilings, mailboxes, window boxes and foundation plantings. Sweep porch and deck floors daily to remove debris deposited by wind, rain, incoming traffic and critters.
2. Rent a Storage Unit
Renting a storage unit lets you store your belongings in a safe, secure area while freeing up more room in your home! At U-Lock Mini Storage, we offer a variety of storage unit sizes for you to choose from. You can rent a storage unit that is as big as a walk-in closet or as large as a garage – you can select a storage unit size that best fits your needs!
3. Clean Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets, which are opened and closed frequently, often by messy hands, can get grimy and sticky if not properly cared for.
Dip a cloth into a solution of 1/4 cup of Murphy’s Oil Soap and a gallon of warm water. Wring the cloth and wipe cabinet fronts, paying special attention to areas around the knobs or pulls. Dry with a clean cloth.
3. Perk Up Patio Furniture
Refresh patio furniture for the summer with a thorough cleaning. Start by rinsing the furniture with a garden hose fitted with a spray nozzle. Gently scrub using a soft cloth and a cleaning product designed for the material (such as a glass cleaner or oil soap for wood), or use a solution of mild dishwashing liquid and water. Avoid using bleach, which can damage patio furniture and nearby plantings. Rinse and let air-dry.
4. Prevent Mold in the Bathroom
First, clean the shower while you are showering, using a Mr. Clean Eraser sponge and a squeegee. Swish a brush around the toilet bowl daily; use a pumice stone to remove rings and stains. For mirrors, use a finely woven microfiber cloth, which will not leave streaks or lint, and then use another cloth sprayed with vinegar to wipe down your countertops. You can clean sinks with an eraser sponge, and then shine sink hardware, such as faucets, with a microfiber cloth. Wipe floors with a damp towel or mop. And, since it is summer, hang wet bath mats and damp towels outside to quick-dry in the sun.
5. Gutter Cleaning
To clean gutters efficiently and safely, equip your lawn blower or hose with a gutter-cleaning attachment so you can blow out debris while your feet are firmly planted on the ground. If you are using a hose, wear rain gear because you are going to get wet.
Step on a ladder and use a four-prong garden tool in a plowing motion to push leaves out of gutters. Wear latex gloves under work gloves to keep your hands dry and protected from odors. Finally, use a hose with a spray nozzle to flush all remaining dirt from the gutters and to clear downspouts of debris.
6. Ensure ool Air Flows Freely
Have a heating-and-cooling expert check and clean your air-conditioning system before temperatures rise to peak summer levels. A professional will make certain your system is in good enough shape to keep you and yours cool throughout the summer. To make sure your air-conditioning operates well, you can also use your vacuum cleaner and a blower attachment to blow out hard-to-reach dirt. Try using a dusting brush and a vacuum to remove caked-on grime and use your vacuum to clear all interior heating vents of dust and dirt. Wash removable filters with hydrogen peroxide and let them dry before putting them back, or replace an old filter with a new one.
7. Tidy the Garage
With patio and deck furniture, summertime playthings and grilling gear moved outside for the summer, your garage might need a refresh. Throw out or donate unwanted tools, building materials, and other items you no longer use. Wash windows and give the floor, walls and ceiling a good sweeping. Put up racks and shelves to stow practical and recreational trappings.
8. Clean Concrete Patios
Use a push broom or a leaf blower to remove all debris from your patio. You can rent or borrow a pressure washer to give concrete a thorough cleaning. For hard-to-remove stains, pour straight white vinegar on stains and scrub with a stiff brush.
9. Refresh Towels
Towels stored in a closet or left to dry in the bathroom can take on a musty smell during the hot, humid days of summer. For an easy summer cleaning tip, wash towels in hot water and toss 1/2 cup of baking soda into the rinse cycle to eradicate stale scents. Dry the towels at the highest heat recommended for the fabric.
10. Clear Cracks of Mold
Keep outdoor surfaces mold-free. Findley recommends using a scraper to loosen mold in sidewalk, patio, and driveway cracks and sweep away the debris. Then, directly apply vinegar via a garden sprayer to the cracks to kill remaining mold spores. Repeat a few times a year to prevent new mold from growing.