Monsoon Season - Home Care Tips

After the brutal heat of the summer, the monsoon’s are a relief! While the rains bring down the mercury, one must be careful of the germs and water borne illnesses that arise from water stagnation and moisture in the air.

Mentioned below are some preventive measures you can take to make sure your house is well protected, clean, and dry during the monsoon.

Pre Monsoon Examination - Clean the pipes so there are no blockages and smooth drainage of rain water is possible. Call an expert to repair any cracks or damaged tiles to avoid seepage.

Cupboards – Wardrobes become damp in the monsoons. The air moisture can be absorbed by putting dried neem leaves, cloves, camphor, silica gel sachets, and/or commercially available moisture absorption sachets in the cupboards, drawers or wooden desks.

Ventilation – Try and get as much cross ventilation and sunlight as possible. This will help to take away some of the moisture from the air and remove the damp smell. Excessive moisture in the air can damage wall hangings, furniture and carpets. Dehumidifiers can also be used.

Home Cleaning – Regular home cleaning is a must. Use a safe floor detergent to mop the floors. A detergent with citronella would be good for the monsoons. Oil can be used to prevent wooden doors and windows from absorbing moisture and swelling up. Apply wax to the hardwood floors to protect it from excess moisture. Vacuum carpets, upholstery and curtains at least once a week. Dusting of furniture, especially wooden furniture is essential to prevent moisture build up. Get pest control done once a month in the monsoons. Light a small piece of camphor in every room and keep the doors and windows shut for 15 minutes every evening.

Garden / Plant Care – Trim hedges and tall plants / trees. The monsoons are known for gory winds, trimmed plants will create fewer chances of branches flying off. Also, when the sun shines it will allow sunlight to penetrate better. Rainfall causes easy growth of some unnecessary plants in the soil like that of weeds, which need to be pulled out frequently. These weeds can tamper with the nourishment of your useful plants. Prevent water stagnation in your garden or in the plates kept below indoor plants. These are breeding grounds for insects.