Getting Summer Ready for the New Norm
Summer 2020 might be bringing us a new norm but there are lots of little ideas we can incorporate to make sure both ourselves and our homes are summer ready.
The good ol press clear out
You put it off all year... it’s time to go through the kitchen presses and put some order on them. How many items are in your cupboards that you forgot were there and are more than likely out of date by now. Get the bins ready and start the dumping. Why not use some little baskets or boxes to organise your herbs from your baking goods and give your shelves a good scrub while you’re at it?
Wardrobes jammers with clothes you don’t wear anymore. Declutter and Keep
Who doesn’t have that dress or shirt hidden in the back of the wardrobe that hasn’t fit it years? Or the formal wear you’ve worn too many times to be seen in again? Maybe it’s time to be like Elsa and let it go. The ISCA - Irish Charity Shops Association have launched a Declutter and Keep Campaign. The idea is to declutter your home, store the good stuff and donate to your local charity shop when it re-opens.
Avoid the dreaded beeps
Is there anything worse than being woken in the middle of the night with that high pitch beeping going through you. The smoke alarm battery is running low. You swore you wouldn’t let it get to that point again. Batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced every 6 months to ensure the safety of your home and loved ones. They should also be tested monthly. Don’t forget the hardwired smoke alarms also have a back-up battery that needs replacing at least once a year in case your electricity goes out.
Get a better view
While you’re at home why not get the best view possible with gleaming windows. Run out of window cleaner and don’t fancy facing the shops?
Here’s a little hack for you. Warm water and vinegar mixed in equal measures is a great way to give that great shine. If your windows are particularly grimy add 4/5 drops of washing up liquid to the mix and then you’re away in a hack.
Gutterly fantastic
To save more hardship down the line, gutters should be cleaned out every year. It’s a dirty job, but somebody has to do it! Best to make sure you have a partner in crime with you while climbing ladders. A good tip is to dampen down the debris in the gutters before scooping it out to make is less fly away. Once all debris is removed simply run a garden hose through it to make sure it’s cleaned out completely.
Flower Power
Is there anything more beautiful than a few colourful hanging baskets to cheer up your house. No idea where to start? Don’t have what you need? – no problem thegardenshop are doing deliveries. Maybe a few window boxes could be put together while you’re at it – More power to ya!
Bring some colour into your life
Brighten up your home with a splash of colour. Turn a boring wall into a feature wall with a lovely bright summary colour. Check out your local paint supply shop to see if they are delivering. mcdonnellpaints could be an option for some locations.
A few changes in accessories will also make the world of difference. Some colourful cushions or maybe change your rug to a lighter brighter version for the summer months. Why not get a few small vases and pick some wildflowers on your 5km walk to place around your home to give it a new lease of life.
As the saying goes – “Life is about using the whole box of crayons”.
BBQ Time
We’re all hoping for a good summer on the weather front this year, so now is the time to make sure the BBQ is in working order and clean as a whistle. housebeautiful.com share some great cleaning hacks for your BBQ, including an onion or doing your own steam clean.
Heat up your BBQ and once it has started to cool down, cover the grill with water-soaked newspaper, close the lid and leave it shut for 30 minutes to give it a good steam clean. Another handy one is to attach an onion to a fork and rub over the hot bars. The water in the onion steam cleans them and removes any stuck-on food.
Following these handy tips will have you Summer ready in jig time so you’re all set to enjoy your Summer at home.
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