7 Household Tips For Autumn
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Forget spring cleaning - autumn cleaning is where it’s at! After a long, drowsy Australian summer full of dust, sweat and beach salt, with various insects making their merry way into the house during the first rains, it’s the perfect time for a bit of overdue household maintenance. Preparing your property for wintery weather can leave you shivering in dismay. Follow these clever tips for around the home and you’ll be blissfully cradling a mug of hot chocolate next to a roaring fireplace in no time!
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1. Sort your heating
The most significant aspect of the approaching winter is the change in temperature. Hibernation is only half as fun without the heating cranked as high as it will go - so look into restocking your firewood or gas bottles for electric heaters, installing that reverse cycle A/C system you’ve been putting off, or having the fireplace inspected and cleaned. There’s nothing more miserable than arriving home from that first seriously chilly day to a home only equipped with old hot water bottles and everyone huddling around a small pet to steal body heat.
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2. Defend against mould
Along with the common cold, mould is winter’s best friend - they’re inseparable. Now is a reasonable time to plan a full-on, deep-clean assault of your bathroom and kitchen, the two places which marry warmth and humidity in the average home. Check for leaks in piping, taps which can’t quite stop dripping and uneven flooring which will invite puddles. In the kitchen, use glass cleaner on windows, clean out and wipe the fridge, inspect cabinets, wipe down splashbacks thoroughly and replace sponges and tea towels. In the bathroom, clean and waterproof or seal the tile grout and try using white vinegar and baking soda to soak and scrub shower fittings, taps and toilets. Proper ventilation, especially in the shower and above stove tops, can do wonders for preventing the growth of mould. If you’re not confident that you can control the levels of moisture - even just by remembering to dry the bathroom floor after bathing or mopping up any kitchen spillages - then stock up on bleach products.
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3. Change your colour scheme
Autumn is a beautiful time of year, with so many native and introduced trees changing their colours and shedding leaves - perhaps nature’s best-designed colour palette! You can channel some of this earthy elegance in your own home without it being a big investment in time or money. Shades of red, orange, yellow, green and brown effortlessly complement each other in rugs, cushions, paintings, bed linen, placemats, flower arrangements, kitchen appliances, curtains, lampshades, vases and much more. Emphasise the natural wood already present in your home - for example, by removing tablecloths from a dining table or re-varnishing bookshelves and cabinets.
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4. Get rodent ready
Protecting your home from winter invasions means finding ways to hinder things which flourish in the wet and dark or want to escape the cold. Although rats and mice are less active in the cooler weather, they are remarkably talented at finding creative ways to nestle into your walls and ceiling cavities. The time is therefore nigh for having a little roof and exterior wall inspection to check for small cracks which may provide entry into the house. Prune the plants within a few metre radius of your house, since these can become hotbeds of insects and rodents eager to come inside. Setting up mousetraps or glue traps is potentially a good idea in less-frequented areas like garages and sheds.
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5. Clean your roof
Don’t get caught unawares by the rain! Make sure gutter drainage systems are clean and working correctly - leaks and blockages should be resolved before the cold sets in and any broken roof tiles should be repaired or replaced. Rubbish or leaf litter build-up around homes can also put you at risk of water damage so get these cleaned up while there are still nice days for a bit of outdoor heavy lifting! Check that any skylights are properly sealed so you won’t be receiving any nasty surprises in the middle of the kitchen or dining room. Keeping your roof clean will also come in handy in case of any dodgy Australian heatwaves and fire-danger days during April and May.
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6. Fight the bugs
Cold weather means common cold weather. Since the autumnal months see the first uses of the heating system, it’s a good time to get your air ducts cleaned to avoid their contribution to colds and allergies and ensure they run well throughout the approaching season. Have your carpets properly cleaned and vacuum down curtains and blinds to start with a clean slate in terms of dust residue. Keeping well is often a matter of keeping clean. Regular cleaning with a microfibre cloth in late autumn and during winter can prevent viruses being spread through contact with doorknobs, computer keyboards and telephones. Central heating itself can sometimes aggravate dry throats so consider purchasing a humidifier or simply limiting your usage and keeping a hefty collection of sore throat lozenges.
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7. Farewell the heat
Make the most of the pleasant autumn weather and do a big coldwash of large linen items, such as tablecloths, rugs and spare bed linen. These are best left to dry outside while it’s still sunny and not too damp. Clean and organise any outdoor furniture which has loitered past the hot weather. If you’re keen, now is also a good opportunity for thoroughly cleaning exterior windows and ensuring they close correctly. Finally - locate your umbrellas! The heat is over and it’s their time to shine again.
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