Mandeep Kaur Guraya
MAIN JATTI PUNJAB DI ..
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The rains aren't exactly your home's best friend. From damp clothes and furniture to dirty floors, the monsoons can be a really messy season. But before the clouds rain those heavy showers on us, you can do a few things to prep your house for the season. Here's how you can care for your home this monsoon.
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Keep moisture away: The mistake most people make during the monsoons is shutting their windows to keep water out. While that is a good habit, make sure to open up the windows as soon as the rain stops so as to let the sunlight stream into the room. This will remove dampness and moisture from your home. Also buy some moisture-absorbing silica gel packets to use in your cupboards and drawers. Leave a few in your shoes and bags to protect them from developing mildew.
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Monsoon-proof the floor: Don't you just hate it when shoe prints stain your spotless tiles? Well, there's a way around that. Start by placing an ordinary doormat at the entrance. And if you don't already have a no-shoes-allowed-beyond-the-door policy, now's the time to introduce one. And finally, keep a bucket at the door for people to store wet umbrellas and raincoats.
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Put away fancy trimmings: Roll away those fancy carpets and go with quick-dry rugs instead. You might also want to opt for simple breathable furnishings as opposed to velvets and other expensive fabrics. Store these away till the festive season we think.
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Brighten up your home: Let the greys and browns confine themselves to the skies and street this monsoon; but keep your home bright and perky. Just make sure to avoid very light colours as they show dirt easily.
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Dress your windows right: Heavy drapes are not a great monsoon option as they take ages to dry once they get damp or wet. What's more, they add to the humidity in the home and leave that musty smell as well. Go with light lace or cotton curtains without lining that allow light to pass through and ensure ventilation too.
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Electrical issues: Call in an electrician to fix all faulty or worn-out wiring immediately. While you are at it, buy a few power surge protectors so that your appliance and other gadgets aren't affected when lightning strikes all of a sudden. Also avoid keeping appliances plugged when not in use. Lastly, in case of a power failure, always have an emergency light handy.
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Move potted plants outdoors: Why let your green beauties stay indoors when they can enjoy natural watering and sunlight outside? Move them out for the monsoon and watch them grow and flourish. Once the rainy season is over, trim them nicely and bring them in.
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Do minor repairs: The rains have a way of making small problems big ones. So fix that minor crack in the wall or replace that worn-out window awning to ensure a dry and safe home.
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Wooden furniture, doors etc: Wood can get easily damaged. So move your wooden furniture away from the window to prevent rain water from coming in and destroying it. Also, if your door gets swollen and does not shut properly, simply sandpaper the edge of the door.
