You probably still have the pool closed down—it gets a bit chilly at night yet. Spring cleaning can start a bit earlier here in Florida compared to most of the United States though. It’s a good time to tackle jobs like washing the salt from your home and outdoor enclosure. Odds are the kids will love to help with that—especially if it gave them an excuse to break out the high-powered water guns.
Here’s the game plan.
Arm them with scrub brushes, a bucket of soapy water, and their water guns. Have them scrub down a section of the screen and then use the suds for target practice. You could be power-washing the salt accumulation off the rest of the house while they’re working out back.
Genius, huh?
Why stop there though? If it’s spring cleaning you’re after, let them scrub down the outdoor furniture and any other surfaces that won’t fall in harm’s way if cleaned exuberantly. The job will be completed in no time. When you reach the backyard, you give everything a quick rinse with your hose or power washer, and voila—mission complete!
It extends the life of your enclosure
Unless your cleaning crew gets a bit carried away, periodically cleaning the screens and frames of your outdoor enclosure extends the life of both. Salt is in the air no matter where you live here and its abrasive nature ruins everything—with the exception of plastic—when it’s left to its own devices. Experts recommend we wash down the exterior of our homes and outdoor possessions several times a year. If you’ve ever left something unattended outdoors for any length of time, you know that it certainly makes a difference!
Go with the natural flow
Ridding your screens of accumulated dirt and debris is going to keep air flowing freely throughout your outdoor enclosure area. You’ll be glad of that in a few months, yeah?
Sometimes the build-up goes unnoticed by the naked eye—but it’s enough to prevent air from getting through. Even a blockage in a specific area that catches the brunt of a lot of storms can be enough to interrupt the natural flow of air.
If that happens around your pool enclosure, it could prevent certain nooks and crannies from drying out properly. That, coupled with our high humidity levels can be enough to allow mold and mildew to get started.
You don’t want that to happen.
Mold is ugly stuff
If you’ve ever been in an area that has an intense mold problem you know it’s a cringe-worthy experience. Not only does it look bad, it’s bad for you. If ever in a situation like that, it’s best to remove yourself from the area as soon as possible. The spores are air born.
Moreover, if you’re exposed to mold spores over a continuous length of time, your health problems can continue to worsen.
Your pets can be affected by mold too.
Inhaling mold spores can affect the health of both your family and pets in the following ways: mild congestion that grows worse over time, nasal discharge, coughing, and wheezing. It can also cause lethargy and, while impossible to diagnose in animals, headaches as well.
Animals can also be affected in other ways that include decreased appetite, vomiting, and changes in their stool.
Signs that your pet has a mold allergy include:
- Excessive scratching
- Chewing
- Continuous licking, which can progress to the point of fur loss
- Development of sores
Ridding an area of mold
If you notice an area of mold growth, knock it out as soon as possible. Left unchecked, it continues to spread. A big area might be best dealt with by professionals, however, if you feel able to tackle the problem, all you need is a mixture of one cup of household bleach added to one gallon of water. A good rule of thumb is to wear a mask while you work.
It’s a good idea to check under the cushions and inside any crevices of your outdoor furniture. As an afterthought, we’ll suggest you take a peek before turning the kids loose so they don’t suffer any ill effects.
Bring on the heat!
We might as well call for it because we know it’s on the way! Prepare for warmer weather and knock out your outdoor cleaning before it arrives. Should you find any small holes or tears in your outdoor enclosure or window screens as you clean them, find the time to repair them soon.
They’ll only grow larger over time—especially if you have young children! There’s just something about a little hole that they find fascinating, isn’t there?
Repairing your screens will ensure that you don’t have bugs interfering with your relaxation time. As a matter of fact, swatting and slapping at bugs and mosquitoes can have the opposite effect in a relatively short period of time. Rather than being driven indoors, you may be tempted to thumb your nose at them as they accumulate on the outside of your screen over the coming months.
Time has a way of getting away from us. Moreover, summer is a busy time of year. Between ballgames, road trips, and other family activities, the odds are the time you can spend relaxing at home doesn’t happen as frequently as you’d like. Be ready to spend your outdoor time this summer gathered with family and friends. Don’t waste a minute of your summer sweating in the Florida sun tending to outdoor chores that can be done now.
You’ll be glad that you did. And, if you break out those water guns, so will the kids!