5 household jobs to do over summer
Though Christmas may be over, many still on holidays have a chance to not only spend time together, but to finally tackle some of those niggly jobs around the house that you have been meaning to get done.
Whether the pool is looking a bit murky or you’re looking to make some small improvements, here are five odd jobs around the house to tick off your to-do list this summer.
1. Treat your garden to a little TLC
While mowing the lawn and edging the driveway are done on a more regular basis, the summer holidays are a perfect chance to tidy up your garden and show some love to your plants with some pruning.
In particular, the start of the year is a good time to prune gardenias and other plants that have finished flowering, cut back herbs that have run to seed, and inspect plants for mildew, petal blight, or signs of being eaten.
For help with your garden, Stuart Tucker, the Chief Customer Officer at hipages, recommends using the Yates My Garden app.
“Consider it your ‘personal trainer’ of the garden world. The app gives you access to qualified horticulturalists that can talk you through anything that’s happening in your garden,” he told Better Homes and Gardens.
“You can take a picture and share via the live chat and the team will help ID and provide further details on what you need to do.”
2. Refresh your interiors with paint
For a cost-effective way to change the look of your home, a fresh coat of paint can refresh your interiors and make your walls look cleaner without costing an arm and a leg.
However, it’s recommended that you put the paintbrushes down on especially humid days as the heat can affect how the paint dries.
3. Get your pool in tip-top shape
Maintaining a pool during winter months can seem like an unrewarding task, so the summer break can be a perfect time to give it some of the attention it may have missed during the rest of the year - especially so you can finally enjoy it.
“If your pool filter or equipment needs attention, see to it now before your friends and family start commenting on the murky pool water,” Stuart said.
If you’re in need of a helping hand, Stuart said there’s an app for that too.
“Try using an app like Blue Connect - Pool Care to track and analyse your pool water by measuring the temperature, pH, the disinfectant concentration and salinity,” he explained.
“The app will also notify you in case of any problems.”
4. Service your air-con unit
A must for staying cool when the mercury rises, air-conditioning units often work their hardest during summer - meaning it;s important to check that they’re still in good shape.
“If you have an internal unit, clear any dust to prevent it (from) performing poorly,” Stuart said.
“External units need to be cleared of leaves and other debris.”
5. Tidy up
With many of us visiting and receiving family during most of the holidays, it can be tricky to keep our homes clean.
But, giving your home a deep clean can make maintaining it that much easier - though you don’t have to do it all on your own.
“Before you welcome any visitors, consider hiring a local on-demand cleaner who can give your home a deep clean from top to bottom, including all floors, surfaces and windows,” Stuart said.