Spring Cleaning and the Tale of the Wardrobe

While we don’t have the harsh winters the people of Minnesota have (really, WHY would you live there?), winter in Miami can still be dreary enough to have an affect on people. In the colder months, we become “hopelessly disorganized.” Papers stack up like snow drifts, rooms become more cramped with “stuff”, and even the musty air suggests there are quite a few items that  need our attention on the seasonal to-do list.

Miami gives us a few (short) months of cooler, lackluster weather, that requires multiple wardrobe options… which clutters up our closets. Winter now being over, a lot of our seasonal stuff just got thrown back into the lion’s den closet.

Awakening from the winter hibernation, I felt gripped to start my spring cleaning. I was determined to clean out and organize the over-stuffed closets of clothes and shoes, and figure out just what exactly was in there.

Empowered by a rush of caffeine, I began channeling my inner Marie Kondō  and set forth into the wonderful land of Spare Oom.

[There were several surprises for me in the back of our wardrobe.]

With everything in its proper place, shoes sorted, and clothes with their own hangers, I could dust off my hands in pride at a job well done. Now it was time to assess the other areas of my home that need attention.

Must-Do Maintenance Tasks for Spring

Your home has just gone through “winter” and it is time to prepare for the summer heat and humidity. Here’s what you need to do:

• Inspect the exterior of the home. Take an overall assessment of the outside. Be sure to , look for chipped paint or stone, cracks in the foundation or driveway, and leaks or damage around the windows. Don’t forget to check the condition of your screens, too.
• Test run and service your A/C. Do it before it becomes an emergency and it will save you a lot of problems later. Not only will regular maintenance prevent some of the more damaging, expensive problems, but the last thing you want is for your unit to die mid-July because it wasn’t ready for a heat wave.
• In light of the above, change the air intake filters in your home. Dirty filters are one of the prime causes of A/C unit failure, which is a bummer because the filters are relatively cheap. I suggest buying a year’s worth every spring, that way they are always on-hand.
• Inspect your fire extinguishers. Since I’ve never had to use it, sometimes I forget about the fire extinguisher in the kitchen (there is also one in the garage). Check the dates on them, the pressure gauge, and make sure it looks good. If you’re not sure, have it inspected.
• Trim your trees. You not only want them to look good, but you also want to avoid the trees having a growth spurt and making contact with your home or power lines. In the same light, watch for plants that might be sneaking their roots around the house, under sidewalks, or attaching themselves to the house itself. These could result in cracks or damage to your property/home.
• Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Just do it. It’s cheap, easy, and could save the lives of your loved ones.
• Have your roof inspected. You thought I was going to forget, didn’t you? Your roof likely needs cleaning and should be inspected by a roofing contractor in Miami. Shingles may need to be replaced or could be infected with algae, flashing could be cracked, the rubber boots around your vents worn out, and your gutters are likely dirty. You want your roof to last as long as possible, so take care of it!

Take care of your home, as it takes care of you

Many things may come to our minds when we think of our homes. There is a big financial responsibility, but there is joy, love, and comfort, too. But as with anything else, your home is an investment that requires maintenance.

All shall be done, but it may be harder than you think.

 

Integrity, Trust, Pride, and Peace of Mind,

~Frank Istueta