Before we know it, summer is upon us and those chilly winter mornings seem like a distant memory. Daylight savings has arrived, the mornings are bright and breezy and the sun is harshly shining down on us at 7am in the morning. One of the best ways to get organised for the warmer months is to prepare your home for summer, before summer actually arrives.
We share 10 ways you can prepare your home for summer.
1. Let the breeze in
Before you do anything, let the breeze in! Open doors that have remained closed during the cooler months and unlatch the windows. This is a great way to get the air flowing through the home. Go a step further and open up any cupboard doors and drawers where you store your linens, clothing or towels. Leave them open for a few hours to freshen them up.
2. Clean away any mould
As you’re opening cupboards and doors throughout the house, check for any mould that has built up in the cooler months and clean it off. When the weather does start to warm up for summer, continue checking these areas as moisture is produced when the weather is muggy.
Just these two points alone are great ways to combat air pollution in the home, starting your summer off right.
3. Pack away winter specific items
Now that the cupboards and drawers are clean and fresh, pack away any items that you use specifically for winter.
Store the heaters away
Roll up the rugs and any other floor coverings
Put away the blankets and throws
Take the electric blankets off the bed
Change the sheets over from flannelette to cotton, linen or bamboo. (Did you know these materials keep you cooler throughout the night? Helping you sleep better during those warm summer nights)
If you use a winter doona, swap it over to the summer doona
Place these items to the back of the cupboard as it’s unlikely you’re going to need them for another 6 months.
4. Clean the windows, ledges and screens
Over time, lots of dust can build up around the ledges and screens of your windows. It’s important to wipe these down and clean the dust away so it doesn’t blow around your home. Especially during the summer when you’ll have the windows and doors open to let the breeze in.
This is also a good time to check for any holes that need repairing in the screens, or any gaps that have appeared. This will help to keep any creepy crawlies at bay. Particularly on those hot summer days when they like to find their way into your home.
Once you’ve finished, clean the windows down for a clear view outside.
5. Don’t forget the air conditioner
Your air conditioner is going to play a vital role in keeping your home cool in summer. To prepare your home for summer make sure you:
Switch your controller to cooling mode
When the warmer weather rolls around, be sure to switch your controller settings over to cooling. If you’re unsure how to switch the setting over, check your controller manual for instructions. If you have a multi split system make sure both or all of your systems are set to the same mode.Clean the filter
Your air conditioning filter helps to keep your homes air cool and clean. As a result of this, dust, dirt and grime will eventually build up on the filter, causing it to block up. If you know what you’re doing you can clean the filter yourself. Alternatively, you can hire the services of a qualified air conditioning technician.
These two points alone will keep your home cool, and keep your air conditioning at peak performance.
Keep your air conditioner at peak performance
6. Don’t have an air conditioner? Organise an installation
If you don’t have an air conditioner and have been thinking about having one installed, the best thing you can do is organise an installation before summer. As soon as the weather starts to heat up, you’ll see wait times of up to six weeks for an installation.
Don’t be left sweating it out. Book your air conditioning installation in now.
Indoor cooling plants
Prepare your home for summer by investing in some indoor plants specifically for cooling your home. These include:
Aloe vera
Peace lily
Bamboo palm
These plants will help to absorb the heat, and keep your home fresh and cool by releasing cool moisture and oxygen into the air. Another added bonus? These plants also remove toxins from the home.
Outdoor plants to combat mosquitoes
While you’re shopping for indoor plants, pick up a couple of outdoor plants that will help combat mosquitoes in the warmer months. Lemongrass and peppermint are great mosquito repellants. Lemongrass is actually citronellas closest relative and peppermint is great as mosquitoes don’t like minty fragrances. Place them on the balcony or wherever you like to sit outside.
Clean the BBQ
The warmer weather means you can now enjoy dinners outside. Whether this be your balcony, backyard or your indoor/outdoor entertaining area. One of the best ways to get this space ready is to clean the BBQ and make sure your gas bottle is topped up. You’ll be ready for any guests, as well as those nights you want to ‘whip up a quick dinner on the barbie’.
Change the setting on your fan
Some ceiling fans allow you to change the setting to rotate counter clockwise. By doing this the air is pushed downwards. Not only will this create a stronger draught, but it will also push the warm air near the ceiling into the cooler air. This allows the air to mix and bring the room temperature down.
Whether you want to tackle some of these points, or all of them, you’ll be prepared for the warm summer months, enjoying your home in a fresh, cool, comfortable environment.
Organise your air conditioning installation