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It’s August, which probably means that—depending where you live and whether you have air conditioning—you’re spending the month trying to take advantage of every last minute of warm summer weather, or doing your darnedest to stay out of the sweltering heat. There’s plenty to do this month both indoors and out, from gardening duties and keeping the house cool to getting the house ready for back to school.
1. Change Your Air Conditioner Filter
The summer heat can put strain on your air conditioning unit, causing spikes in electricity bills, or worse, costly repairs. But if you give your HVAC system a little TLC, it will reward you with years of continued service. Change out the disposable HVAC filter on your air conditioner (this is a task that should be done seasonally), and give the condenser fan a good cleaning to keep it in peak condition.
2. Clear Seasonal Clutter
August is a good time to declutter seasonal gear, or at least find a way to store it neatly in the garage. When shelves and drawers are in disorder, it usually means you have too much on hand. Take some time to go through your stuff, saving what you need and donating what you don’t. If you bring your things to the garage and discover that that space could use tidying too, our guide to cleaning the garage will help you get things back up to snuff.
3. Spruce Up the Deck
From summer barbecues to seasonal storms, your deck weathers it all. If yours is looking a little worse for wear, give it a boost with some light maintenance. First, sweep and rinse away dirt, debris, and mildew. Then, check for loose boards or nail pops. Finally, replace boards as needed and give the surface a coat of deck stain and sealer. Now it’s ready for more memorable summer fun.
4. Clean Your Bathroom Fan
Your bathroom exhaust fan works hard, pumping humid air out of your home and preventing mold and mildew. Clean your bathroom exhaust fan every so often to extend its life: Turn off power to the fan and vacuum away the dust. Then, remove the vent cover and wash it with mild soap and water. Do a quick check of the fan itself, and replace any damaged ones as needed.
5. Save Seeds
Backyard gardeners, take note: This year’s harvest could feed your household all through next summer. Save your seeds now, and you’ll have everything you need for next spring’s veggie garden. Once you have discovered how much money saving seeds can save you, you may want to learn other strategies for starting a garden for free.
6. Remove Thatch
Thatch is a layer of plant material that builds up between the soil and grass. In small amounts it can be beneficial to your lawn, but too much of it can damage the turf. By late August, cool-season grass can benefit from a good lawn dethatching. Use a thatch rake, like the True Temper 15-inch thatch rake, to comb the material from the lawn. Afterward, apply a thin layer of fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
7. Learn a New Skill
Mastering the art of home improvement can save lots of money that you might otherwise spend on hiring a contractor. This month, invest in yourself by picking up a new skill, like welding or furniture refinishing. Many hardware stores offer free summer classes that cover the basics of plumbing, tiling, or even fence building. For more specialized projects, try an online course in landscaping, plumbing, or gardening.
8. Get Ready for Back to School
We aren’t going to tell you how to do your school supply shopping, but we do have some advice about what you can do around the house to make the transition back to class easier: How about creating a backpack station near the front door, where you can corral kids’ school things? To help make homework and scheduling easier, consider outfitting a common area, such as the kitchen, with a homework chart or work station.
9. Dry Your Garden Herbs
August is the best month for home gardeners to begin harvesting herbs and preserving them for year-round use. Pick your leaves early in the day, before it’s too hot. For best flavor, start early in the month. Basil, parsley, and dill do better when stored frozen. Dry herbs sicSage, oregano, and mint taste best when air- or oven-dried.
10. Do Something Small
With fall on the horizon (the holidays will be here before you know it!), now is the time to tackle the easy home repairs you keep meaning to do. If you’ve been meaning to seal the grout in your shower or touch up the paint on your baseboard trim, cross it off your to-do list. You’ll feel energized knowing that you’re starting off the new season in an organized and proactive way.
