| Whether you live in your cabin year round or it's | | | | treatments. Drapes, curtains, louvered blinds, |
| been closed up for the winter, it's time for spring | | | | cornices, screens and sunscreens all get a |
| cleaning. It's hard to get motivated. We'd all rather | | | | thorough cleaning. It's a good days work just on |
| be out playing in the sun and enjoying the spring | | | | windows but it's worth it as I love to open my |
| after the long cold winter. I thought I would share | | | | blinds and enjoy the beautiful spring sunshine and |
| my "to do" list and some helpful tips to get you | | | | blooming flowers. |
| started so we can both get the chores done. | | | | Something I always do as part of my spring |
| I like to start with my fireplace. Hiring a local | | | | cleaning is bug control. Our local feed store sells a |
| chimney sweep is not always possible in very | | | | battery operated fly spray dispenser. Every |
| rural areas such as we live. I have a heavy 25' | | | | spring and fall I change batteries and replace the |
| chain that works very well. From the roof I | | | | canister as needed. We still have open range in |
| remove the spark arrester then slowly drop one | | | | parts of Arizona and when the cattle come in |
| end of the chain down the chimney, holding onto | | | | they bring flies right along with them. I have found |
| the other end. Slowly rotate the chain so it rubs | | | | the fly spray dispenser helps a great deal and it |
| firmly against the inside of the chimney. Keep | | | | has a fresh scent as well. I have one by my front |
| swirling the chain for several minutes, pull out the | | | | door and one by the back door which helps keep |
| chain, clean the spark arrester with a soft brush | | | | them out of my cabin. Spraying pest spray inside |
| and replace the arrester. Keep in mind 2 things: 1. | | | | and out is a must. Hire a pest control company or |
| make sure the pitch of your roof is safe to stand | | | | do it yourself but do spray. |
| on and 2. Your chimney must be straight with no | | | | A very important part of my spring chores is |
| elbows for this technique to work. If the pipe has | | | | outside! All dry material is hauled to the dump. |
| an elbow use the chain technique then disconnect | | | | Keeping weeds, leaves, pine needles and grasses |
| the pipe at the elbow to clean it with a wire brush | | | | under control is very important to help keep your |
| and remove the ash and pitch. Reattach the pipe. | | | | cabin safer against forest fires and helps keep |
| All that's left is to clean the inside of the fireplace | | | | snakes and small varmints away from the cabin |
| or wood stove, remove all the ash and pitch | | | | too. We also keep trees away from the cabin for |
| residue that has dropped from the chimney | | | | the same reason. This is also a good time to |
| cleaning. I use oven cleaner, a Teflon scrubby | | | | check all the fire extinguishers and have them |
| then window cleaner on the heat tempered glass | | | | recharged if necessary. Make sure your garden |
| when the pitch has built up that awful amber film. | | | | hose is in good shape and attached to the outside |
| My wood stove gets a new coat of black stove | | | | spigot. Yes, I am forest fire paranoid! I have a log |
| polish too. | | | | home with all wood heat in the middle of the |
| Now that the fireplace and wood stove are clean | | | | forest; fire safety is always on my mind. |
| and all the ash has settled I dust and vacuum the | | | | My husband doesn't get out of spring chores |
| entire cabin thoroughly. I use lemon oil on my log | | | | either. Tuning up the chain saw, boat and quads |
| walls and a small pan of water stays on my wood | | | | are on his list as well as outside furniture cleaning |
| stove to put some moisture back into the dry air | | | | and the grill but I keep finding him admiring his |
| from wood heat. Next I tackle the windows. | | | | fishing poles. "Don't let spring fever sidetrack your |
| Okay, so everyone knows how to clean the | | | | chores, get the work out of the way!" As I throw |
| windows but don't forget the window runners, | | | | out my dusting cloth and bait up my hook ready |
| check for any leaking that may have occurred | | | | for friends and family to enjoy spring at our cabin. |
| during the winter and clean all the window | | | | |