BY MIKE HOLMES, The Cleaning Guy

 

MAKE A LIST

Before you arrive, create a detailed checklist that includes a review of utilities, insurance policies, septic systems, etc. On arrival, do a complete exterior inspection. Canadian winters bring all kinds of diverse weather, and if there is any damage, you’ll want to know right away. Be on the lookout for pests that may have attempted to infiltrate your property.

 

LET THE OUTSIDE (AIR) IN

Once you’re inside, go around and open up all the windows. Letting fresh air into the cottage will not only make things smell a lot better, it will also help dry out anything that might have accumulated dampness over the winter, especially if you have ever experienced issues with mold or mildew. After you’ve aired out the cottage for several hours, if there is still a strange musty smell, it could indicate water damage.

 

CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN

Now the fun stuff: time to roll up those sleeves for a complete cleaning. Start off

by dusting and vacuuming and wiping down/disinfecting hard surfaces. If you find mice droppings in a cupboard, put all the dishes through a sanitizing dishwasher cycle. Check for moths! They have a tendency to stay close to food sources. Be sure to store pantry items in sealed containers and clean up spilled foods immediately. Steam cleaning and protecting furniture and carpets will also help stop infestations. Use outdoor lighting only when necessary as it attracts pests at night.

As people build larger style cottages, air duct cleaning is becoming more common. If your seasonal residence has a ducted system, your air ducts are inevitably harbouring a wide variety of trapped toxins, as pests and insects will find their way inside. Professional duct cleaning both sanitizes the ducts and restores indoor air quality, so that you can be confident that your family is safely enjoying both the great outdoors and the great indoors!