Memorial Day is approaching fast, and with it comes the unofficial start of summer. There is no better way to celebrate than with a day at the beach, so your home needs to be as ready for summer as you are.
- Air it out. Open your windows to drive out that stale winter air and welcome in the fresh swirl of salt, sand, and beach grass. Don’t stop there, though – summer is a great time to bring outside splendor in with nature’s air filters. Place houseplants on your windowsills and throughout the house to freshen your space. A spider plant in the kitchen will filter out dangerous carbon monoxide from your gas stove or grill, while a snake plant in the bathroom eliminates the formaldehyde commonly found in cleaning products and tissue paper.
- Don’t bug out. Now is the perfect time to check for early signs of stinging insect nests in eaves and ledges. Nothing beats an ocean breeze through a screen door, but you want to let the freshness in while keeping our flying friends out. Check your screens for holes and tears as you clean them with soap and water. If any plants or bushes have grown up around your home, trim them back to keep the bugs at bay. Minimize mosquitoes by eliminating any standing water from around the house. Ask your exterminator to inspect the interior and exterior of your home for pests, spray for termites, ants, and roaches, and keep your home safe all summer long.
- Chill out. Replace weather stripping to keep the hot air out and the cool air in. Clean your air conditioning vents and ceiling fans, and change your filters. If you rotated your ceiling fan blades for winter, don’t forget to change them back now! It’s a good idea to have a professional check out your air conditioning system for damage or leaks to avoid a failure in the heat of summer. Rev up your refrigerator for maximum cooling by disconnecting the power, vacuuming the coils, and brushing away any stubborn dust and dirt with a narrow paint brush.
Summer is gone far too quickly, so be sure to make the most of it while it lasts. Don’t be caught unprepared – get your beach home ready now.
Posted in Coastal Living, Other Topics