5 Home Maintenance Chores for Summer

Don’t let the heat of summer keep you from doing a little home maintenance. Freshening up you home and outdoor space is so satisfying. Even these small chores can give a feeling of accomplishment.

Clean out your fridge

I’m going to be honest with you. Sometimes I’m guilty of allowing our leftovers to turn into science experiments. It’s a pain, but taking the time to clean out your refrigerator is necessary. Every few weeks, you should spend some time going through everything stored there. Salad dressings don’t last forever, you know. Items you don’t use every day like mayo also has an expiration date. Throw away any items that have gong past those dates. Don’t take the chance of your kids grabbing and using something that’s gone bad.

If it seems that food is spoiling too quickly or if the temperature doesn’t feel cool enough, it is a good idea to call in an expert for appliance repair.

Defrost your freezer

You need to defrost your freezer at least once a year, depending on the frost build up. First, unplug your freezer. Then you need to empty the contents into coolers. Lay a few old towels in front of the freezer and even put a few inside to absorb the melting ice. Some freezers have a place for a drain hose. The safest way to defrost the freezer is to just allow the ice to melt on its own. You can put a fan near the freezer to help speed up the process.

Once the ice is all melted, it’s time to wipe down the interior surfaces so it’s fresh and clean. Now you’re ready to transfer the food back into your freshly cleaned freezer.

A spot of paint

Painting is one of the home repairs you can easily do yourself. Make sure you prepare any walls of surfaces that need a touch of painting by cleaning them first. Clean the walls with a damp sponge and give them a thorough dusting. Cover your floors and surfaces with drop cloths to protect everything from paint drips.

For outdoors, it might be time to paint or stain your fence or wooden gates. Sprucing up your patio furniture will give your outdoor space a fresh new look. Why not brighten them up with a new color? Check out these tips for painting outdoor furniture. 

Make your patio fabulous

Your patio can be an extension of your living space. It’s a wonderful spot to drink an ice cold glass of lemonade. We tend to want to buy the cheapest furniture for our patios. What you may not realize is that you’ll be more likely to spend time on furniture that is truly comfortable and well built. If you take care of your patio furniture, it will last for years. Think about investing in some stylish new patio accessories. Simply adding fresh outdoor pillows and an outdoor rug can breath new life into the space. If you prefer upcycling, you could make planters out materials you may already have around the house.

While you’re at it, check the decking of your patio and porch for any hazards such as loose nails or rotten wood. Spray the decking with water to test if it needs resealing. If it absorbs the water, a fresh coat of stain may be needed. Sometimes a simple cleaning is all it needs. Check out these tips on how to clean, renew, and seal decking in one day.

Clean out the drain and garbage disposal

Having food particles in your drain can cause an awful smell in your kitchen. Clean out your drain and garbage disposal by simply pouring in a solution made from baking soda and vinegar. Wait for half an hour, then pour down some boiling water, and this should do the trick. Repeat this every couple of weeks or whenever necessary. 

If you keep on top of your summer maintenance you’ll be able to enjoy a stress free vacation. You’ll home will be fresher, cleaner, and more inviting.