Making the most of lockdown on the home maintenance front

The time at home has provided us with time to reflect on our homes and getting stuck into home maintenance projects.

While you may not be able to shop for paint, and other repair or home enhancing materials, there should at least be time to really examine those areas that are often overlooked, and make lists to decide on priorities for home improvements. After chatting with friends and family, Hirsch’s PRO Chantelle du Plessis provided a list of affordable or no-cost ideas to get your lockdown maintenance programme going.

Read: Cleaning your car during lockdown

• Mowing lawns

• Trimming trees and weeding beds

• Patching up leaking hoses

• Checking with neighbours to see if you can swop plants from each other’s gardens

• Run your washing machine and dishwasher with a cup of white vinegar and a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda

• Remove lint from dryers

• Get stuck into the fridge; throw out old and never-used jars of condiments

• Clear out drains and gutters of debris

• ‘Spring’ clean one or two rooms a week

• Clear out the clutter in garages and outbuildings

• Reverse ceiling fan rotation – counter wise in summer, clockwise in winter, and clean the blades

• Clean out exhaust fans and stove extractors

• Check roof tiles for movement and/or broken tiles

• If you have paint, touch up any scuff marks

• Examine taps and cisterns for leaks – including those outdoors

• Check locks and seals

• Door handles, light and wall switches may require good cleaning

• Inspect drive- and walkways for cracks.

• Give the braai a good scrub.

• If you have unused Tupperware, use it to decant food stuff from packaging, and check all grocery cupboards for expired products that should be thrown out

• Clean out dog kennels and wash bedding

• Brush dogs, give them a bath

• Air out your linen cupboard and cut up old towels for home cleaning rags

• Ready your wardrobe for winter, and consider bagging unused items for donation to the poor

• Check alarm systems and monitors

• Oil squeaky doors and hinges

• Check screws on all appliances and fixtures to ensure they are tight.

• Clean light fittings and shades.

“We should all learn something from, and during the lockdown,” said du Plessis.

“We will cope, and we will discover our strengths and possibly our weaknesses will be revealed.

“It is up to us to do the best we can during this time, to dig deep, practice tolerance, understanding and compassion, and be united.”

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