With the amazing weather we have been having this summer it’s sometime hard to remember that this is also prime time to take care of things around the house as well. Below is a list of home chores that can be done during the warm and sunny weather:

Windows

Every summer, you should clean your outside windows, screens, and shutters. It is necessary to remove the screens before cleaning the screens and windows, but it is not necessary to remove the shutters. Always use a broom to remove spider webs and dirt before using water. Be careful of possible bee, wasp, or hornet nests. If you have a large number of windows or a two-story house, you should buy a window washing mixture that hooks onto your garden hose and makes the job much easier.

Decks & Driveways

The beginning of summer is a great time to do these once-a-year cleaning jobs. Don’t use a power washer! They are very dangerous to you, and they can destroy your deck and driveway. For outdoor decks, you can use a diluted mixture of TSP or deck cleaner (available at home improvement stores), then use a push broom or stiff brush to scrub the deck clean. Be sure to rinse the deck well. For asphalt driveways, use 1 scoop of laundry detergent in one gallon of water. For concrete driveways, use 1/4 cup dishwashing detergent to 1 gallon of water. Scrub with a push broom, then rinse thoroughly. Grease stains can be treated with kitty litter or dry cement left to absorb the stain and then swept away. You can also use a commercial grease remover.

Luggage

Whether or not you travel in the summer, it’s a good time to clean and air out your luggage. Clean the outside with a diluted mild cleanser (leather should be cleaned with a commercial leather cleaner). If the inside has a musty smell or possible mildew problem, clean it with a vinegar-water solution (1:5). Let it air dry for several days. It’s a good idea to air out your luggage for a few days whether there’s a musty smell or not. Before putting the luggage away for storage, toss a fabric softener dryer sheet into the closed bag, especially if you don’t use the luggage often.

Water Heater

Once a year, you should drain and flush your water heater. This cleans out all the sediments from the bottom of your water heater. It makes your unit run more efficiently and last longer. This can be a big job, depending on the size of your tank and where it is located in your home. Because you are dealing with electricity (or gas) and potential flooding, it is worth calling in a professional. If you’re an ambitious do-it-yourselfer, it’s not a difficult job. Remember to turn off the electricity and then turn off the water before you begin. Turn the water back on first when you’re done. The tank should not have electrical current if it is empty.

Vents and Registers

If you have a central air-conditioning unit, you should clean the vents and registers at the end of the season. This means actually removing the registers. You should be able to vacuum both sides. If there’s caked on dirt from condensation mixing with dust, you can use a damp cloth to clean it. If anyone in your home suffers from allergies, you might also consider using a register filter to further clean the air during heating and cooling.