Here we are in round two of COVID shutdowns. It’s a bummer. Just when we thought the days of planning “things to do” were over, we find ourselves right back at it.
Perhaps during the first go of “safer at home,” you tackled a chore or two worth putting off: cleaning the closet, organizing the pantry, rearranging furniture, etc. This time, why not take some time to complete the more difficult tasks that we find ourselves avoiding.
Here are three home projects that could use your attention during these quarantined times. They may be easier than you think to complete.
1. Curtains – Curtains are hung and forgotten, but the truth is, they are dust and dirt collectors. While cleaning curtains, first check the cleaning instructions. Even if your wall coverings are made of washable fabric, the lining and seams can shrink in the wash. If your curtains are made of velvet, lucky you! Just brush them with a dampened chamois cloth dipped in hot water. Silk curtains should be hand washed in lukewarm water and never wrung out. If you are skipping the dry cleaners, make sure to wash your curtains on the gentle cycle with cool or lukewarm water and mild detergent. Think about timing when removing curtains. You will be without window coverings for a bit, so plan and come up with solutions if you must go a few days without them.
2. Carpet – We often neglect our carpeted floors because cleaning them is cumbersome and prevents us from lounging and walking on them, but now is the time to do it. Access to a carpet cleaning machine will make the job easier, and the kids may even enjoy the process. Rentals are often available at some grocery and hardware stores. Make sure you vacuum before the steam cleaning process begins. If you have nasty stains that need extra attention, follow this step-by-step guide to get your carpets to look new again.
3. Rain Gutters – The dreaded rain gutters! But we need our gutters to work in Texas, especially during the summer. Rain gutters get clogged with leaves and debris over time, so it’s essential to keep them clear. You will need a ladder and some simple tools, but clearing the gutters is not as hard as one may think. Check out these simple guidelines to get your gutters in working condition so you can breathe easy the next time you hear that earth-shaking Texas thunderclap.
Committing yourself to a home improvement/cleaning task feels overwhelming at first, but once you get started, the feeling of accomplishment takes over. Whether you clean your curtains, carpet, gutters, or something else, it doesn’t matter. A job well done, and seeing the fruits of one’s labor is worth it all.
