Having a cottage somewhere secluded or at least in the countryside is a dream for many city dwellers. After all, what could be nicer than closing the door of your apartment building behind you and heading out every weekend to peace and quiet? Sometimes, however, it’s a bit impossible to visit our oasis of calm all year round. That’s why, with a heavy heart, we winterize it in the fall and closely monitor the weather forecast in the spring so we can mark that pivotal date in our calendars when we’ll finally head to the cottage.
· What’s the first thing we need to do as soon as we open the door?
– Air it out thoroughly
.- You surely know that musty air.
WAIT! Don’t open all the windows at once or leave them open all day. That would shock your cottage, and it would end up getting damp as a result. The walls are cold after winter, and moisture could start to condense on them. So how do you ventilate properly? You can open all the windows at once, but only for a few hours. Repeat this process several times. And it’s definitely a good idea to choose a warm, sunny day. And under no circumstances should you forget the basement and attic.
After the hard work comes the joy
While the cottage is airing out, you can check for mold. If you find any, you need to act immediately. Move the furniture back a few centimeters and treat the affected areas with a suitable product. Meanwhile, the men of the family can go check the gutters. Are they clogged anywhere? It certainly wouldn’t be pleasant if rainwater were to drip into one of your windows. Now we can finally get to work. The worst is still ahead of us.
· Everything needs to be washed; the refrigerator should be wiped down with vinegar water; the kitchen cabinets should be disinfected; and the toilet and bathroom should be thoroughly cleaned.
· The mattress needs to be dusted.
And once you’ve finally finished the interior, you can start sprucing up the garden. After all, that’s one of the reasons you bought the cottage. So let’s get to it. Can you smell how beautifully the earth smells in the spring?