Your May Home Care Checklist – Courtesy of Houzz.com!
❑ Paint or stain your home’s exterior. Longer days and generally milder weather makes May a good month to schedule house painting. If your home has a wood-shingled exterior, replace any damaged shingles and have a fresh coat of stain applied if needed. Your Rector Hayden REALTOR may have a great suggestion of a local company or contractor that could do this for you.
❑ Check exterior lighting. Make sure all outdoor lights are in working order, including motion-sensing security lights. Replace bulbs or schedule repairs as needed.
❑ Inspect kitchen and bath fixtures. Keeping an eye on these areas can help prevent costly water damage and repairs later on. Regrout or caulk around counters and tile as needed. If you come across any slow leaks, have these repaired as well. Taking the time to regrout and caulk as needed helps keep your home looking fresh, clean, and new.
❑ Check safety devices. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and replace it if necessary. This is always important! Fire extinguishers can be purchased at most home improvement or hardware stores.
❑ Clean scuff marks and touch up paint. Use a product like Magic Eraser to remove scuff marks from walls and baseboards. Touch up paint as needed on interior walls and trim.
❑ Deep clean the laundry room. Run the washing machine with specialty tub cleaner (or with vinegar for a natural solution) on a hot water cycle. Wipe the rubber rim inside the door of the washer and dryer and remove lint from the dryer vent with a vent brush or vacuum attachment. Clean countertops, mop floors and restock supplies. Is it just us, or do you feel like you do MORE laundry in the summertime? Between play clothes, sports gear, swimsuits, and beach towels – it starts to add up!
❑ Refresh bedrooms. Rotate the mattresses on all beds and flip over if possible. Dust nightstands, lamps, headboard, blinds and decor. Swap heavy duvets for lighter weight bedding for the warmer months.
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Extra Insight: Take a trip over to The Clay Avenue Shops and Boutiques and visit Linens Limited; “Fine Linens for Bed, Bath & Table, Featuring linens from Italy, Portugal & Madeira.” See More Info: http://www.linenslimited-lexky.com/ |
❑ Prep picnic supplies. This is the season for alfresco feasts. Be ready for impromptu picnics by sorting through your outdoor dining supplies at the start of the season and keeping a basket of essentials within easy reach. A cheese knife, small cutting board, bottle opener, blanket and set of outdoor dishes and cups should see you through many a picnic.
❑ Clean and prep your grill. Giving your grill a deep cleaning before the start of the season will help it work more efficiently and prevent flare-ups. Clean the grates and interior with a grill brush and wash the exterior with warm, soapy water. Clean and organize your grill tools (tongs, spatula, skewers) and pick up charcoal or propane if needed.
❑ Add a relaxing porch feature. Make your porch an inviting place to relax and hang out with the addition of a porch swing, rocking chairs or a glider. Too much sun? Crisp white outdoor curtains provide shade and look chic. Just add a tall glass of iced tea or lemonade, and you’ll be ready to savor the season in style.
