Looking after your home this Spring.
Spring in Cape Town is a season of renewal, as the days grow longer, gardens burst back to life, and the warmer weather inspires many of us to refresh our homes. It’s also the perfect time to tackle essential maintenance after the rainy winter months. Here are some detailed DIY care tips to keep your home in tip top shape this spring.
1. Inspect for Winter Wear and Tear
Cape Town’s winter rains, strong winds, and cold snaps can leave their mark on your property. Start with your roof. Look for cracked or missing tiles and check flashing around chimneys or skylights, as these are common spots for leaks. Clear gutters and downpipes of leaves and debris to prevent blockages that can cause water damage in possible spring storms. Inside, check ceilings for brown stains that indicate leaks, and run your hand along window frames to feel for damp patches. Repairing small problems now prevents expensive fixes later, so keep a tube of waterproof sealant and some roof patching compound on hand for DIY touch-ups.
2. Tend to Your Garden and Outdoor Spaces
After a wet winter, lawns and beds can look patchy or overgrown. Start by mowing the lawn on a higher blade setting to avoid damaging tender spring growth, and reseed bare patches if needed. Prune back shrubs and trees to encourage healthy growth and allow more sunlight into your home. For a splash of local colour, plant hardy indigenous blooms like arum lilies, gazanias, or proteas, they are water-wise and thrive in Cape Town’s climate. Clean patios, driveways, and decks using a stiff broom and a bucket of warm water with a bit of dish soap or vinegar to cut through winter grime. If you have a wooden deck or outdoor furniture, sanding and resealing with a weatherproof coating will protect it from the harsh summer sun ahead.
3. Freshen Up Your Walls and Windows
Nothing transforms a home faster than light streaming through clean windows. Mix a DIY solution of water, vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap for streak-free glass cleaning. Don’t forget to wipe window frames and sliding door tracks where dust and mildew often collect. If your interior walls are looking dull or scuffed, a quick repaint in fresh, light colours like soft grey, pale green, or warm cream can open up your rooms. For exterior walls, check for cracks or peeling paint caused by winter damp. Filling cracks with exterior filler and applying a fresh coat of weather-resistant paint not only boosts curb appeal but also adds a layer of protection.
4. Keep the Air Light and Fragrant
Cape Town homes are often closed up during winter, leading to musty air. Open windows and doors in the early morning to flush out stale air while temperatures are cool. For natural scents, bring in bunches of lavender, rosemary, or lemon verbena from the garden, herbs that thrive in the local climate. You can also make a DIY simmer pot by gently heating slices of lemon, sprigs of mint, and a cinnamon stick in a pot of water on the stove. For an easy all-purpose room spray, mix one cup of water, two tablespoons of vinegar, and 10 drops of your favourite essential oil (such as eucalyptus or citrus) in a spray bottle.
5. Small Fixes, Big Difference
The little details often make the biggest difference in how your home feels. Walk through each room with a screwdriver and tighten loose handles, hinges, and cupboard doors. Oil squeaky hinges with a dab of vaseline or cooking oil if you don’t have WD-40 handy. Check all your light fittings, replacing blown bulbs with energy-saving LEDs that keep electricity costs down. Test your smoke alarms and, if you have a fireplace, make sure the chimney is clear of soot. Outside, look at your boundary walls, gates, and fences—tightening bolts, repainting metalwork to prevent rust, or sanding and revarnishing wooden gates can give your home a neat, cared-for finish.
Spring is more than just a season. It’s a reset for your home. By tackling these simple yet important DIY tasks, you’ll not only refresh your living space but also protect your investment. With a bit of regular upkeep, your home will be ready to shine throughout the sunny months ahead.
