WRITTEN BY KATIE SMITH
Is there anything like summer in Maine? With so much to do and explore, no one wants to have to spend their time off doing maintenance around the house when the sun is shining and the oceans are calling. Here are a few things you can do now to prep your home and yard so you’ll have more time to enjoy your summer.
Mulch All Gardens
Not only does fresh mulch look wonderful and make your gardens retain moisture, it will keep the weeds at bay. Less weeding means more time spent doing things you love with friends and family.
Touch Up Outdoor Paint
Before it gets too hot, block off a few hours to check the outside of your home and do any touch up painting for an instant facelift. No one wants to spend a summer day painting in the hot sun.
Clean Gutters
Fall and winter can take a toll on your gutters. All the leaves, branches, and debris that fall can clog them fast. Book someone now to clear your gutters or you can do it yourself. Hate ladders? You can get your gutters really clean with a leaf blower and an extension kit so you can clean the gutters while standing on the ground. While you’re at it, make sure all your gutter downspouts are pointing in the right direction, away from your foundation.
Replace Blades On Lawn Mower
A little maintenance on your lawn mower will go a long way and you’ll be so glad you took care of it early so you can get the lawn mowed faster. Replacing the blades on your mower, whether you hire someone to do it or you do it yourself, is quick, inexpensive, and will save you tons of time.
Clear Out Household Clutter
It’s amazing how clearing out even a little clutter can make you feel lighter and more productive. If you have stacks of mail or magazines, spring is a great time to go through everything and recycle what you don’t want, then store then rest. Go through your pantry and fridge and make sure any stale or unwanted food gets tossed. Swap out any heavy blankets in your living area for lighter ones, and clear off your bedside tables.
Store All Cold Weather Clothing
Even if you don’t pack up all your winter clothes and store them in the basement or a spare closet, it’s good to at least tuck all your winter shoes away and hang up all your coats instead of leaving them out. Packing up heavier sweaters and sweatshirts and storing them in bins is an excellent, and quick, way to make way for things like T-shirts and lighter tops if you don’t have room to store your warm and cold weather wardrobe in one place. It will be a lot easier to find what you’re looking for and help you feel more organized.
A Big Spring Clean
After the snow melts, it’s mud season. Not only do we track lots of dirt and salt throughout the house during this time, our home can get extra dusty since the heat has been running for months. Give your house a little makeover simply by cleaning. Start at the top and dust off your ceiling fans, clear any cobwebs from the ceiling, wash windows, wash or vacuum curtains, clean and wipe down your walls with a mix of hot water and a squirt of your favorite dish soap. End by mopping all floors and shampoo carpets.
Late spring and summer are also when allergies are the worst, so the less dust, dirt, and grime you have in your home (even if you can’t see it very well), the better you’ll breathe when the pollen is floating through the air. Not to mention giving everything a good scrub will make you feel wonderful.
Test Your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
This is the perfect time to wipe all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors down and change the batteries if needed.
Taking a little time now will open up more time to enjoy all Vacationland has to offer this summer
