It’s the middle of summer vacation, and your energy levels may have dropped a bit from heat waves and going out, but it’s the perfect time to get your work done around the house.
After all, the only thing that reminds us that fall is not far away is the change in weather.
“Open the windows and let the fresh summer air circulate throughout your home!” said Howard Moss, CEO of cleaning brand Astonish.
“August is the perfect time to give your home a thorough cleaning before the winter weather and days shorten.
Here’s how to get a head start…
1. Organize your wardrobe
You’ll know which summer outfits you’ve worn so far and which ones haven’t seen the light of day yet. Separate your favorite girlfriend’s shirts, cottons, linens, and shorts from those left on the shelf to create space for transitional items for fall.
“Examine your wardrobe and consider removing clothes you haven’t worn in two years or more,” suggests Moss. “If you haven’t worn it in the last few years, chances are you’ll never wear it again, so this is a good rule to stick to.”
2. Clean the mattress
It’s often forgotten, but Moss says mattresses need cleaning just as much as the next household item, and should be washed every six months, ideally during the summer and fall.
“During the summer months, not only does dead skin cells from the sun build up on your mattress, but moisturizers, sunscreens, and sweat also create more dirt and residue,” says Moss.
“It’s important to remove unwanted dirt and dangerous bacteria that have built up over the last six months. First use a vacuum to remove unwanted debris, then finish off with a scented linen or mattress spray. please give me.”
3. Increase bedding size
Lightweight summer bedding is essential for a good night’s sleep, but these hot temperatures don’t last forever.
Need your winter duvet cleaned or replaced?
“With the warmer weather continuing, remember to wash blankets, throws, bedding, and anything else that’s hard to clean and dry,” Moss suggests.
Choose a laundry detergent that can be washed hygienically at low temperatures. According to Moss, “Not only is it better for the environment, but it also cuts your electricity bill by about 40% a year.”
4. Clean the oven
Moss says the oven should be thoroughly cleaned every six months. “After a summer of barbecues and outdoor dining, ovens are often neglected and stubborn grease builds up,” he warns.
“It’s important to clean it thoroughly before using it again in the fall. We recommend using a strong cleaning spray or multi-purpose paste to remove stubborn stains.”
5. Clean the windows
Whether it’s a stain you’ve been spraying on your window sill, pollen on your threshold, or flower shards that have fallen into your hanging basket, now’s the time to tackle stains and dirt on your windows. An old toothbrush will help lift dirt from the sill, and a simple solution of warm soapy water should clean the window, or vinegar and water for stubborn marks.
Do not clean in direct sunlight. The glass may be too hot and the solution will dry too quickly, creating streaks.
6. Radiator bleeding
BestHeating’s Jessica Steele says it’s a great time to bleed your radiator, especially in the sunny weather so far, because you don’t need one in the summer.
She says this removes any pockets of air that may be in the radiator and prevents it from traveling to the boiler or heat pump.
“It doesn’t take long to deflate all the radiators in your home, just 20 minutes. All you need is a drain key to put down, a cloth and a towel. If it comes, you might need a bowl,” advises Steele.
“If you don’t bleed, internal corrosion can occur and damage parts connected to the boiler. Once this is done, the boiler pressure gauge may be down, so turn it back on .
“Should be between 1 and 1.5 when heating is off and between 1.5 and 2 when in use.”
7. Request boiler repair
Steele says boilers need to be serviced regularly to ensure they are working safely and efficiently.
“In fact, most boiler warranties require annual service for this to take effect,” she points out. “Engineers inspect the boiler to make sure everything is in order, look for gas leaks or possible corrosion, and make sure the gas pressure is at the right level.
“The whole process only takes about 20 minutes. By doing this service in the summer, we can keep the boilers in top condition over the winter.”
She continues: .
“Remember, a more efficient boiler costs less to run.”
