🌤 Summer plans are in full-swing and we’re trying to squeeze out every bit of warm weather while it lasts. Before the last month of summer flies by, keep reading to prepare your home and life for fall, work, and a new school year with these simple tasks.
1. Get ready for hunting season
Hunting season will be here before you know it, and chances are things weren’t put away in the most logical way when it ended. Take an afternoon to get all of your gear out and organize into their respective categories. Make sure to inspect all your gear and repair or replace as needed, restock your first aid kits, and thoroughly clean and lubricate any bows or firearms. When you’re finished, properly store in plastic totes and properly label them so you don’t have to dig around when the time comes. Maybe consider some new shelving to keep things off the floor and easily accessible!
2. Streamline your mornings
Believe it or not, a smooth-sailing morning starts the night before. Create a nightly routine and set a reminder on your phone to go off every evening. My personal nightly routine consists of a 5-minute common area tidy-up, pack my lunch, lay out my outfit for the following morning, wash my face, and brush my teeth (feel free to customize to fit your lifestyle!). If you replace 15 minutes of mindless scrolling with this short list, chances are your mornings will become less chaotic and rushed.
3. Prepare your kitchen for easy dinners
The summer isn’t over yet, and neither are your summer plans! Take back some precious time by streamlining your kitchen and making dinnertime less of a hassle. Meal plan every week, and prep what you can on Sunday afternoons — pack lunches, put frozen meat in the fridge to thaw, and toss any leftovers you haven’t finished from the week before. You might even take a few minutes to prep some “dump meals”, adding all ingredients to a gallon food storage bag and dumping in the crock pot before you leave for work. Check out this list of easy dump meals to switch things up this month.
4. Create a shared family calendar
Where you prefer digital, dry erase, or painting a wall in your kitchen with chalkboard paint — a shared family calendar will keep everyone on the same page and reduce any confusion or double bookings. Pro-tip: Review the upcoming week with everyone on Sunday for a high-level understanding on what everyone’s up to.
5. Start canning!
If your garden is producing more veggies than you can eat, consider canning them so you’ll have fresh veggies through the fall and winter months. If you’re a canning novice, check out this helpful article on canning basics and visit your local Kenyon Noble for all your canning supplies.
Not into canning? Share your harvest with your coworkers, neighbors, and friends. No takers? Consider donating to your local food bank.
6. Wrap up lingering projects
Take advantage of these long days and finish up any outdoor projects you’ve started (or planned on starting) — such as cleaning the gutters, to powerwashing the front walkway, or even adding a new deck (stop in at our Service Counter for more information on premium decking!). Been waiting to get a specific tool to finish a job? Stop in at your local Kenyon Noble so you can wrap up your projects and get back on the trails!
7. Deep clean carpets and floors.
With summer adventures comes a considerable amount of dirt, dust, and dander — especially if you have pets. Take an afternoon to roll up all area rugs, thoroughly sweep and vacuum, and run a carpet cleaner as needed. Tackle any stubborn stains with a specialized stain remover and allow to dry completely before replacing area rugs and other furniture. While you’re down there, run a damp rag along your baseboards to pick up any dust that’s gathered over the last few months.
8. Evaluate first-aid and emergency kits
Whether you’re a backcountry wanderer or spend your afternoons on a playground, a first-aid kit is a must-have for any household. Take a few minutes to empty your kit’s contents and toss anything that’s expired, and make a list of the things you need to replace or stock up on. While you’re at it, make a second kit to keep in your car or hiking pack — you never know when you (or someone else) will need a bandage or antihistamine.
Not sure what you need or starting over from scratch? Check out this article from the American Red Cross on what to include in your kit.
9. Shop your closet
Before you do any wardrobe-refreshing or back-to-school shopping, pull a Marie Kondo and put everything you own into a big pile. Go through your pile piece by piece and organize into three piles: keep, donate, and trash. Chances are you’ll find something you forgot you had, and will avoid wasting money on replacing it. At the very least, you’re bound to get rid of a few things to make room for better, higher quality pieces.
While you’re at it, evaluate your closet to see if your current storage work for you. If not, consider designing a new solution with Organized Living. Once you have your pick list ready, stop in at your local Kenyon Noble to place your order today!
10. Tidy your garage
With summer vacations and outdoor activities ramping up, it’s likely that your garage or shed has become a bit of a catch-all. Take an evening after work to put things away in their rightful places, sweep the entire floor, and install new wall-mounted storage if needed.
If you’re planning to add new storage before the snow flies, make sure to order your system soon to have in time for the final garage clean-out of the year. Organized Living has more to offer than just closets — build your new system with OrganizedLiving.com and bring your product list to your local Kenyon Noble to place your order today.
While do-it-yourself projects can be fun and fulfilling, there is always a potential for personal injury or property damage. We strongly suggest that any project beyond your abilities be left to licensed professionals such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Any action you take upon the information on this website is strictly at your own risk, and we assume no responsibility or liability for the contents of this article.