Below are a few of our favorite tips and projects to tackle throughout this month.
Check your detectors: Check your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working properly. If you don't have a carbon monoxide detector, now is the time to get one!
Inspect air-conditioners: If you haven’t already, prepare air conditioners and fans for their busiest season. Remove and clean AC filters or have the unit serviced by a professional. Clean all ceiling fans and other fans with a damp rag. If you have high ceilings, a ceiling-fan duster can help you clean hard-to-reach blades.
Enjoy a natural dryer: Install an outdoor clothesline to dry your laundry in the summer sun. You’ll save money and energy by skipping the dryer. Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of air-dried sheets?
Clean your outdoor grill: Give your grill a deep cleaning. Be sure you look up how to properly clean your grill because instructions vary a bit based on whether the grill is gas or charcoal.
Polish your porch or deck: Thoroughly sweep porch floors; then mop them if necessary with an all-purpose cleaner. Clean all furniture and hose down or wash any cushions where people will sit. It's also a good idea to spray for bugs. It's hard to relax with mosquitoes and spiders around!
Analyze your porch or deck: Look over your deck or porch for signs of rotting and hammer in any nails that are poking up. Then, determine if your outdoor space needs sealing or other structural maintenance.
Wash your windows: If you didn’t tackle exterior window washing in the spring, now’s the time to get your glass clean. It's a lot of work, but we promise it will be worth it!
Make time to replace mulch: Add a layer of mulch to keep weeds down and help the ground retain its moisture in the heat. It’ll give your plants a chance to grow and keep your landscaping looking fresh.
Look for leaks: Check your hoses and exterior faucets for leaks because even a tiny drip can add up to a big waste of water. Pinhole leaks in hoses can be covered up by winding regular electrical tape around the (dry) hose in overlapping layers. You'll use your outside faucets and hose a lot throughout the summer, so we want it to be in great shape.
Primp your plants: Fertilize, trim and weed both perennials and annuals to keep them productive. If you have visible dead foliage from spring bulbs, pull it out to maintain a tidy look, but if the daffodil or tulip leaves are still green, leave them alone; they’re actually busy nourishing the bulb to bloom again next year. This is a great time to really pamper your plants so they will hold up later in the summer when it's much hotter and humid outside.
Plan your watering schedule: Train your garden to endure dry days by watering deeply a couple times a week instead of watering lightly each day. This style of watering will promote the growth of deep, strong roots and help your plants withstand the harsh Southern Indiana summer.
Leave dirt at the door: Keep summer’s mud and muck outside with not just one, but two doormats at your main entry door. Place a coarse mat at the exterior and a softer, cloth one on the interior to catch the most dirt. Even better, instruct family members to remove their shoes upon entering your home. This is especially helpful if you have children in the house.
What projects are you tackling around your house this month? Like we mentioned, June is the perfect time to get these tasks done so you can enjoy your home all summer and know it is in top shape for all your warm-weather activities!
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