As summer comes to an end, there are chores and tasks that you will need to do around the home to get ready for fall and winter before they come. There are going to be cleaning tasks that you don’t have to do all the time, ones that you only do once or so a year. Before the weather gets too cold, here’s a few items you should make sure you do around the house so that you aren’t trying to complete them in a couple feet of snow.
Wash the Outside of Windows
The end of summer is a great time to wash the outside of all the windows of your home. There isn’t a right or wrong cleaner to use, whatever product you prefer for your home will do the trick. You’ll want to make sure the product you choose doesn’t leave any streaks or residue on the windows when you’re finished with them.
Power Wash the Outside
Over time, the outside of your home gets dirty since it’s exposed to all kinds of weather. You might not think it’s actually dirty but if you have a power washer – or can borrow one from a friend – you’ll be surprised how much of a difference it makes. Wash while the weather is warm so that you don’t have to worry about ice forming on the outside of your house or getting into a crack and causing it to expand.
Clean the Carpets
If you have carpets in your home, now is a great time to get them professionally cleaned. When a company comes in to steam clean carpets, they need to open doors and/or windows to get the right hoses into your house. When summer is ending, before the salt and sand of the winter comes around take the time to get your carpets looking brand new again. If you prefer, you could rent a steam cleaning unit yourself and do the cleaning if you want. This is also a great time to move furniture around and find all the change that’s been hiding in the couch.
Change the Furnace Filter
Depending on the kind of furnace you have, you might change the filter more or less often but the changing of the seasons is always a great mark for this task. It’s also a time to look over the furnace and take note of any possible repairs you’ll need to complete.
Clean the Gutters
During the fall, especially if you have trees in your yard, you’re likely to have a lot of leaves around. Letting the leaves build up in your gutter can cause issues during the winter with leaves and debris freezing. Take the time now to clean out the gutters and leave them free and clear when the snow comes.
Drain the Garden Hose
If you leave water in the hose over the winter and it freezes, the expansion can cause the hose to crack and then you won’t be able to use it next season. Before it gets too cold take the time to completely drain the hose of water and store it inside so that it won’t be ruined with exposure to the elements.