When September arrives, it’s time to say goodbye to the summer season and prepare for the start of autumn.
Despite the coming change of seasons, the summer heat lingers, mild evenings, social gatherings and garden barbecues are still on the cards.
Waste cleanup company Clear It Waste has offered some handy tips for effectively preparing your home for the changing seasons, including which items require more cleaning in the warmer weather. Experts warn that neglecting to change bedding can lead to the accumulation of bacteria and pest parasites.
Sheets
Given the above-average temperatures this September, it’s no surprise that people are prone to sweating more on warm summer nights, reports the Daily Record.
It is recommended to clean your household bedding every 1-2 weeks, as sweat can promote the growth of bacteria, parasites, odors and dust mites.
Additionally, hotter seasons can exacerbate issues like hay fever and pollen allergies, both of which can increase allergens in your bed and cause congestion. It is recommended to wash the sheets at 60 degrees, so that all dust mites are removed during washing.
WC and flush handle
When the sun shines, many of us invite friends and family over to our homes, but that also means more bathroom use. With this in mind, it is very important to disinfect the toilet areas more often.
Wear yellow rubber gloves to protect your skin from harmful chemicals and cover the entire inside of the toilet seat with a cleaning and disinfecting product.
Use a toilet brush with the cleaner to clean unsightly stains from the inside of the toilet bowl, let the mixture sit for five minutes, then rinse. Don’t forget to also clean the toilet seat, which allows you to thoroughly wash both sides of the seat.
Don’t forget to clean the toilet flush handle as it can be a highly contaminated area. Use a disinfectant spray or antibacterial wipe and let it dry.
Baking soda and white vinegar are suggested options for cleaning the toilet seat to remove stubborn stains if you prefer to use more natural ingredients.
External water sources
Those with a birdbath in their garden should change the water at least once a week to keep it fresh, as water can be valuable to birds in the warmer months.
If the birdbath turns red or green due to algae, use a hose and scrub brush to remove the dirt. Mild disinfectants can also be used, but make sure the source is thoroughly rinsed afterwards.
It is very important to regularly maintain the environment around water sources. Outdoor faucets, gutters and buckets, along with other water sources, can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other insects during the summer months.
Air conditioning and vents
For those who have air conditioning in their home, it is important to clean the vents more often. This improves the air quality in your home, which can help relieve allergy symptoms.
If you notice dust or debris in your vent, use a vacuum cleaner with a small brush to remove it. If more thorough cleaning is required, remove the vents and soak them in hot soapy water.
Grills
As soon as the sun shines, many of us want to fire up the grill. Because of this, grills and outdoor cooking equipment must be cleaned more often in the warmer months.
Grills collect grease, food particles and debris. In order to avoid food contamination and to keep the grill in operation, it is recommended to clean the grates and the outside of the grill after each use and perform a deep cleaning at least once a month.
While the grill is still hot, carefully scrape off the food residue without touching the metal, because then the burnt food comes off the easiest. After the grill has cooled, use a mixture of dish soap and warm water to remove any food particles.
It is important to dry the grill immediately after cleaning to avoid rusting. Instead of traditional methods, household items such as onions, coffee and aluminum foil can also be used to clean grills.
