Welcome Spring: Spring Cleaning Tips
As the weather warms and we all prepare to spend more time outdoors, we are sharing our top tips to prepare your home for a healthy, organized, and social season. From refreshing your property after the cold winter months to readying your staff for a busy calendar of events, thoughtful planning is key to an easy transition.
Examine Outdoor Spaces
Before contacting any vendors or maintenance providers, we suggest you (or your estate manager) do a full walk-through of outdoor spaces and any areas that haven鈥檛 been regularly used during the winter months. Look for damage from storms, wear and tear, and things that might need extra attention. We recommend a full inspection of the pool if it was closed for the season, including heating, lighting, and filtration. Be sure to also check gym equipment, saunas, outdoor lighting, water features, and garage maintenance. Start with repairs, painting, and servicing before moving on to deep cleaning and organizing.
Prepare Outdoor Furniture
Once you鈥檙e certain all maintenance and repairs have been completed, it鈥檚 time to move on to cleaning and aesthetics. Outdoor kitchens, seating areas, pool grounds, and other social areas should be cleaned and stocked for the summer. Outdoor furniture and cushions should be professionally cleaned after months of storage.
Breathe Clean Air
Inside the home, replace HVAC and air purifier filters and cleans any overhead fans. It鈥檚 a good time to have all curtains and window treatments professionally cleaned, as well as carpets. Make sure to dust crown moldings, exposed beams, and other architectural details. Take the time to make sure you have only the smart home apps on your phone that you need; delete old apps taking up space.
Stock Wine Cellar & Bar
Depending on how you entertain, we suggest stocking commonly used areas with summer beverages. For the pool house or outdoor fridge, we鈥檇 bring out some ros茅 and white wine, as well as sparkling water, bottled lemonade, and your other favorite refreshing beverages. Make sure the ice makers and bar sinks are all cleaned and in good working order and that the wine cellar temperature is carefully controlled for summer.
Beyond the Usual Deep Clean
It鈥檚 a great time of year to go beyond the usual deep clean and have curtains and upholstered furniture professionally cleaned and steamed, as well as silver polished, and windows washed. Take the time to deep clean appliances, ovens, and grills.
Check Artwork Conditions
Double-check artwork positioning in the home in terms of sunlight and temperature. The harsh sun can quickly damage works that aren鈥檛 properly protected. Take this time to make sure everything you鈥檝e acquired over the last year is properly documented and your insurance is up to date.
Personal Wardrobe
Swap out your items seasonally and review your closet for anything you can donate or give away. It鈥檚 a good time of year to have luggage and jewelry professionally cleaned. Luggage in particular is often overlooked but caring for high quality travel items will keep it looking fresh for longer, regardless of how often you travel.
We also recommend that you dry clean winter coats before putting them into storage, and make any necessary winter boot or shoe repairs now. Everything should be packed away clean and in good condition.
Prepare Guest Rooms
Swap out bed linens for lighter summer versions, add beach towels, and restock toiletries. Make sure the HVAC system is working properly in the room. It鈥檚 also a good time to add some little details to make your guest鈥檚 stay more comfortable – perhaps add a few books or magazines, a cozy robe, phone charger, and clearly available Wi-Fi information. Double-check that there is clear space in the closet and drawers for their items.
Security Systems Review
As we head into a busy time of year with plenty of travel, make sure you or a trusted member of your team reviews all security measures in place.聽They should check that all gates, keypads, cameras, and remote systems are working properly, and聽are accessible by key staff members. Make sure there is also an emergency plan in place that everyone is clearly informed of, including child caregivers and all family members.
Seasonal Staff
This is also a great time to review the need for any seasonal staff, including summer nannies or chefs. Take the time to prep staff on the summer schedule and travel plans, as well as holiday hours and events they will be working. Review staff鈥檚 summer uniforms, reorder or clean as needed, and make sure everyone is ready for a busy season.
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