Let's get ready for the grilling season!

Memorial Day is the official kick off of summer, so let's spend time working on the outdoor living space. My first couple of items have to do with your deck and grill.

• Inspect wood decks, steps & rails for loose or damaged boards & raised nails. If you come across a nail that has worked loose from a board, remove the nail with the claw end of a hammer (tip: put a spatula under the hammer to prevent damage to the wood). Use a screw that's longer than the nail to reattach the board. 
• Clean the green!  If you have green moldy spots on your deck pour on white vinegar (don't dilute it!), let it sit for 15 minutes, give it a scrub and rinse off.
• Stop the grill flare ups.  Mix a solution of ½ water and ½ white vinegar.  Spray down the grates of the grill and the inside of the grill box.  The vinegar will help loosen up the mess.  Let stand 15 minutes and then give it all a good scrub down with a wire grill brush.  And don't forget to change out the drip pan.
  

• Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily, the latch may need to be adjusted or the seal may need to be replaced.
  
• Clean your dryer lint trap and exhaust vent.  When I say clean the link trap - I don't mean just wiping the link off (you should do that all after every load) - what I'm referring to is scrubbing the actual lint screen - ESPECIALLY if you use dryer sheets.  Dryer sheets leave a residue that impedes the flow of air.  Don't believe me?  Take the lint screen out and put it under running water - if water pools on the top then you have a residue build up. The solution is simple - use a little soap and water, and give it a scrub.