We did it! It’s officially spring and there’s an extra hour of daylight. Now is a great opportunity to do some essential cleaning. Sound fun? Well it will be if you heighten the experience by outfitting your home with the latest technology.
What could be more spring than a clean and new home?! Get some sprucing up and safety measures out of the way, select some life-enhancing household technology, and come June you’ll have not just completed spring cleaning, you’ll have had a spring-breakthrough!
Photo by Oluwakemi Solaja on Unsplash
Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash
“Spring into action” ‒ 3 things to do now
1. Check or replace carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are more than 300,000 residential fires each year. To keep you and your family safe, do the following spring maintenance:
- Replace all alarm batteries (at least once a year)
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping quarters (put smoke alarms inside bedrooms as well)
- Make sure to test alarms once a month
Photo by Pascal Meier on Unsplash
2. Clean draperies
Months of dirt and grime will have likely piled up over the winter, leaving a grubby atmosphere in an otherwise cheery living space. Read your curtain care instructions to determine whether you can wash them or should have them dry cleaned. (When in doubt, dry clean.)
Other tips:
- First, dust them by shaking them out, laying them on a bed, and vacuuming with the brush attachment
- If safe, run them through a dryer set to the no-heat cycle
- If hand-washing, don’t rub the fabric ‒ agitate gently
Photo by Yeyo Salas on Unsplash
3. Organize pantry and linen closets
No need to feel overwhelmed. Break it up into projects:
- Day one - towels
- Day two - spices
- Day three - canned goods
Make sure to vacuum the closet floor when finished. Any unused items can be thrown away or donated.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
“When it springs to mind” ‒ 3 things to do in a few weeks
1. Replace any damaged window screens
Screens help keep bugs out and fresh air in, while filtering the sun and dampening noise. Replacing window screens will improve both the look and security of your home, so consult any major home improvement retailer to fix these warm-weather essentials. Certain lightweight screens are nearly invisible from the outside ‒ a boon to your home’s curb appeal.
Photo by Darrin Henein on Unsplash
2. Check the attic for damage, leaks, and moisture around vents and pipes
December may be “the most wonderful time of the year,” but spring can be the moldiest. Though all seasons have their mold moments, the moisture and temperatures of spring are particularly mold-friendly, even more so in attics because moist air from the main living areas rises.
Check for the following signs:
- Water trickling down the walls
- Musky, damp odor
- Rust
- Damp or wet wood
- Water marks on the floor
To prevent this, reduce air leakage, improve insulation, and step up your ventilation. Although caulking around the roof vent can fix the problem for a while, it's not a permanent solution. A dehumidifier may help too, but in most cases having a professional repair your roof or install a new one is the best way to go.
Photo by Peter Herrmann on Unsplash
3. Have dryer vents professionally cleaned
This is another oft-ignored safety measure. Your dryer produces lint, which can accumulate inside the vent. If this builds into a blockage and your dryer overheats, it can cause the flammable lint to ignite. The majority of these fires can be prevented by having the dryer vents cleansed by a professional.
Photo by Andrew Winkler on Unsplash
“I’ll spring for it!” ‒ 6 high-tech products to buy
1. Remote control and voice-activated window shades
Ah spring, a time for thoughts of romance … or shutting out the world. These sleek shades by Lutron can be controlled anywhere through its own app. Some models also integrate with voice activation, and nothing says “amore” like whispering, “Google Assistant, close my living room shades.”
Where to buy: https://www.lutron.com/en-US/Products/Pages/ShadingSystems/SerenaShades/Overview.aspx
Photo courtesy of Lutron.
2. Robot vacuum cleaner
Celebrate spring with suction! Eufy’s thin and quiet ROBOVAC 11S MAX can’t do everything, but its automated elimination of pet dander, dust, and other allergens from floors and carpets is an asset to household health and beauty.
Where to buy: https://us.eufylife.com/products/t2126
Photo courtesy of Eufy.
3. Dynamic portable lighting
Hibernation is coming to an end. Time to celebrate and wake up rooms with special lighting. This water-resistant LED smart lamp by Eve Systems sets the mood for entertaining indoors or out with a full-color spectrum of hues to experiment with. Its built-in, six-hour battery recharges on the included base and its app lets you control the party vibe in a flash.
Where to buy: https://www.evehome.com/en-us/eve-flare
Photo courtesy of Eve Systems
4. Better internet through whole home mesh Wi-Fi
Who wouldn’t like faster internet with better reliability and greater coverage of your home? Many believe that “mesh Wi-Fi” can accomplish that better than conventional routers. The technology covers the corners of your home using multiple Wi-Fi bases that communicate with one another. With more telecommuting these days, it makes sense to invest in systems, such as NETGEAR’s Wi-Fi mesh, to help stream, browse, download, and work better at home.
Where to buy: https://www.netgear.com/home/wifi/mesh/
Photo courtesy of NETGEAR
5. Tidier-looking power socket cubes
Long power strips are a help, but they’re bulky. Worse yet, many product plugs are so bulbous that they cover the other sockets. Products such as the PowerCube from Staples allow you to provide more power outlets instantly without those ugly traditional strips crowding the floor.
Where to buy: Most major retailers, including Staples https://www.staples.com/PowerCube-Original-USB/product_2503138?cid=BNR:2503138&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=2503138&KPID=2503138&cid=PS:GS:RE:RP:NB:FALSE:TXT:SV:Open:1679103750:60732599210:&gclid=CjwKCAiA4rGCBhAQEiwAelVtiygoikSghSw24MZzyFCyAyWV9-lt_TckaHozKM_G16RdhsXVfgU5kRoCEr8QAvD_BwE
Photo courtesy of Staples
6. Perfectly made beverages
Speaking of cubes, now that we’re all cleaner, more high-tech people with optimized homes, it’s time for a cool celebratory cocktail. With the Perfect Drink Pro scale and app, you’ll be guided each step of the way through making your favorite springtime tipples, telling you when to pour and for how long, even emitting a “ding” when you’ve added enough. Tell the app what you have in your liquor cabinet, select a recipe, and then shake or stir.
Where to buy: https://makeitperfectly.com/drink
Photo courtesy of Perfect Company
Cheers to the start of a beautiful season!
