the-best-thermostat-setting-for-a-heat-waveplus-how-to-stay-cool-without-overworking-your-ac
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The Best Thermostat Setting for a Heat Wave. How to Stay Cool Without Overworking Your AC

ByStan S.

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When extreme heat hits, it’s tempting to crank the air conditioning as low as it will go. But while that might offer short-term relief, it can lead to sky-high energy bills and put unnecessary strain on your cooling system. So, what temperature should you set your thermostat to during a heat wave?

We spoke with industry experts and rounded up smart strategies to help you stay safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient when temperatures soar.

What to Set Your Thermostat to During a Heat Wave

According to energy experts and the U.S. Department of Energy, the sweet spot is 78°F (26°C) when you’re home and need cooling. If you can, bump it up to 82°F when you’re sleeping and 85°F when you’re away. These settings help reduce the load on your AC, which can prevent breakdowns during critical times, and keep energy bills from skyrocketing.

When to Adjust Your Thermostat Lower

“Seventy-eight degrees creates the optimal balance between comfort and efficiency. Seventy-eight degrees may be warm for many people, but it is the standard recommendation to stay comfortable and be efficient during the summer months,” says Lane Dixon, Vice President of Operations at Aire Serv.

If you have vulnerable household members, like infants, older adults, or pets, you may need to keep the thermostat slightly cooler. In these cases, 76°F may offer a more comfortable balance between safety and savings.

It’s also helpful to use smart thermostats that learn your preferences and adjust automatically, especially during peak demand times.

What to Do if Your AC Can’t Keep Up

Keeping your air conditioner running smoothly during extreme heat isn’t just about comfort—it can help you avoid breakdowns and surprise repair bills. John McGaughey, vice president of sales at AUX AIR USA, shares several practical ways homeowners can help their cooling systems perform at their best this summer.

Replace Your Air Filter Regularly

“A dirty filter is one of the most common reasons systems underperform,” McGaughey explains. He advises checking the filter every month during heavy use and replacing it as needed (usually every one to three months.)

Keep the Sunlight Out

Direct sun exposure, especially on south- and west-facing windows, can dramatically increase indoor temperatures. To prevent excess sun from streaming through windows, consider adding blackout or dark-colored curtains and blinds.

Time Your Appliance Use Wisely

Large household appliances, like ovens, stovetops, and dryers, can heat up your living space fast. Use these in the early mornings or evenings when outdoor temperatures are lower.

Use Fans to Improve Comfort

Ceiling or box fans don’t cool the air, but they can help you feel cooler by circulating air across your skin and aiding in evaporation.

Check Your Outdoor AC Unit

The outdoor unit expels the heat your AC system pulls from inside. Keeping the area clear and occasionally rinsing the unit with a hose (while it’s off) can go a long way in improving efficiency.

If none of these steps help, it may be time to call in an HVAC technician, especially if you hear unusual noises, smell musty odors, or see ice buildup on your system.

DIY AC Fixes

Before you call in the pros, try these expert-backed maintenance tips that can improve your air conditioner’s performance—and might even help you avoid a costly repair visit, according to JustAnswer HVAC Expert Randy Huckstadt.

Rinse your condenser coil. The HVAC expert first addresses rinsing your condenser coil with fresh water.

“Dirty condensers do not allow you to reject the heat from inside the house that the refrigerant absorbed in the evaporator,” he explains.

Rinse your evaporator coil. If you can safely access it, he recommends rinsing the evaporator coil as well. He says that you cannot absorb the heat in the house if your coil is dirty.

Replace your air filter. Plugged air filters prevent quality airflow, which reduces the capacity of the AC system. Swapping in a clean filter is one of the easiest ways to keep your system working properly.

And if your condenser fan suddenly stops working, don’t panic—Huckstadt offers a clever temporary fix. He says you can use a small shower sprinkler to spray the condenser until a repair tech arrives. Water will take the place of a failed condenser fan.

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    6 Reasons Your Lights Are Flickering, Plus Easy Fixes

    ByStan S.

    Credit: Getty Images / Kateryna Kukota Lights flickering in your home might seem like a cause for concern, especially if you’re unfamiliar with how home electrical systems work. While flickering lights can stem from a major electrical problem, it is more likely that the issue is related to the bulb or switch. However, it is essential to identify the cause of the flickering lights so you can rule out any serious electrical issues. Learn the most common causes of flickering lights and how to fix them, as well as when it’s advisable to call an electrician. 6 Potential Causes of Flickering Lights Before calling an electrician, try troubleshooting these potential causes of flickering lights. 1. Bulb Issues One of the most common causes of flickering lights is an issue with the bulb. Fortunately, bulb issues are also the easiest fix. Solution: If you suspect the light bulb is burning out, you can easily test your theory by replacing the light bulb. If the new one doesn’t flicker, you’ve likely solved the problem. 2. Switch Issues Light switches see a lot of use. While premium switches may last a lifetime, budget light switches are likely to fail over time. In this case, you might notice the lights flicker when you touch the switch. Solution: If you suspect the light switch is causing the flickering lights, replacing the switch should solve the problem. To do so, turn off the electricity and the circuit breaker box, remove the switch plate, and uninstall the light switch. Wire and install the new light switch exactly like the old one, reinstall the switch plate, and restore the power. 3. Fixture Issues Less commonly, the light fixture itself may be to blame. If there are loose connections or corrosion in the fixture, the lights may flicker. Solution: You can attempt to repair the fixture by fixing the connections or removing corrosion, especially if it’s a premium fixture. However, it may be more beneficial to replace cheaper light fixtures. 4. Incompatible Bulb or Dimmer Switch If you’ve ever shopped for light bulbs, you may have noticed language on the box referring to dimmer compatibility. This is because some types of bulbs and dimmer switches don’t play well together. If you install a light bulb that’s incompatible with the light switch, it will likely flicker as a result. Solution: To ensure your light bulb is compatible with your switch, check the bulb’s specifications before purchasing a replacement. If you’re having trouble finding a light bulb that won’t flicker due to dimmer incompatibility, your best bet is to try a traditional incandescent light bulb. However, they may be difficult to find in some areas due to government restrictions on energy usage. Even LED light bulbs that specify dimmer compatibility can sometimes flicker when tied to a dimmer switch. 5. Wiring Issues Sometimes, the fixture, the bulb, and the switch may all be in good, working condition, but the wiring is to blame for the flickering lights. The wires could be worn or damaged, but it’s more likely that they are loose, causing an intermittent connection, which results in a flicker. Solution: With the power turned off, inspect the wiring and all relevant connections, including those at the switch, circuit breaker, and light fixture. 6. Electrical Load Issues If you notice the lights flickering whenever other appliances turn on, such as a vacuum, dishwasher, blow dryer, or other power-hungry products, it’s likely because you’re running them on the same circuit as the lights, causing an excessive electrical load on the circuit. Whenever these devices turn on, they draw a large amount of power, which causes the current running to the lights to fade, resulting in flickering. Solution: If the circuit is overloaded, move the high-power appliance to a different circuit. For something like a blow dryer or vacuum, unplug it and plug it into a different outlet. Install a dedicated circuit for large, permanently installed appliances, such as dishwashers. When It’s Time to Call a Professional Electrician If none of these solutions resolve your flickering lights or if the lights are accompanied by buzzing sounds, burning smells, heat around the fixture or outlets, or frequently tripping breakers, contact a professional electrician immediately. You should also consider professional help if multiple lights in your house are flickering and the issue isn’t isolated to a single fixture or circuit. If you haven’t already, a professional will likely instruct you to cut the power at the breaker until the problem can be remedied.

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    5 Summer Habits That Might Be Spiking Your Utility Bills (and What to Do Instead)

    ByStan S.

    Credit: Getty Images / StockSeller_ukr Summer weather is ideal for enjoying the pool, the yard, and the sun, but after being outside for a few hours, it can also be a great relief to step into an air-conditioned home. These hot temperatures often cause many homeowners to adopt certain habits that are more wasteful than helpful. In an attempt to escape the heat, keep the house cool, and maintain the lushness of the yard, it can be all too tempting to try things that actually increase utility bills, costing you more in the long run for minimal relief. Use this guide to discover what summer habits secretly spike utility bills and what to do instead. Scott Levene is the vice president of Levco, a fuel and HVAC solutions company. He is also a licensed HVAC professional with nearly 20 years of experience. Read on to discover the ways you might be increasing your monthly bills without even realizing. 1. Cooling Unused Areas of the House Air conditioners help to cool down the home, but when you aren’t actively using specific rooms, there is no need to keep the doors open to these areas of the home. Central air conditioning systems might still provide some cooling to these areas through the ductwork, but ultimately, the cooling capabilities will be more focused in the central areas of the home where the thermostat is typically located. Closing certain doors allows the temperature to drop more effectively in the areas you are actually using, while saving energy. This particular trick works incredibly well for window and standing air conditioners, since their output is already focused in a single area of the home. 2. Running Fans 24/7 Fans can help move cool air throughout the home and provide direct relief to individuals who are near the fan. However, fans do not actually cool down the house, and their continuous operation can even add heat to the house. “A common habit is leaving fans on in empty rooms. Fans cool people, not rooms, so leaving them on when no one’s around just adds to the electric bill without any benefits,” says Scott Levene, vice president of Levco and licensed HVAC professional. 3. Frequent Lawn Watering Watering the lawn frequently might keep the grass looking lush and the gardens blooming nicely, but it is also a huge use of water that will drastically increase the cost of your water bill throughout the summer. In some areas, watering the lawn and yard might even be against local regulations due to droughts and water conservation efforts. Instead, it’s best to consider possible alternatives that can avoid waste and help save on your water bill. 4. Running the Air Conditioner with the Windows or Doors Open Many homeowners know to turn off the air conditioner if they are opening a window or door. However, this same knowledge might not be as obvious to other people living in the home, like children or teenagers. Additionally, some adults might open the windows on cooler evenings to bring in fresh air, but then forget to turn the AC off, which increases energy waste and leads to higher energy bills. 5. Setting the Thermostat Temperature Too Low Unfortunately, just because you turn the thermostat temperature as low as possible, this does not increase the speed at which the home will be cooled, though this doesn’t stop many homeowners from trying year after year. “The most common habit we see is turning the thermostat down too low, thinking it will cool the house faster. Setting the thermostat to 65°F instead of 75°F doesn’t make it work any faster; it just makes the system run longer and work harder, which drives up utility bills,” explains Levene. How Do These Habits Burn Your Budget? Deciding to put a stop to these habits and making the switch to a more budget-friendly alternative will help keep more money in your wallet and reduce waste. “The examples listed might only cost a few extra bucks a day, but that adds up over time,” Levene says. “Additionally, the extra strain on the HVAC system causes faster wear and tear, which can shorten the lifespan of the equipment. Frequent repairs or premature replacement costs are a major expense.” Related 7 Budget-Friendly Alternatives to Beat the Heat The more unnecessary warm-weather habits you tend to do each year, the higher the cost of your energy bills and the larger your ecological footprint, which is reflected in water and energy waste. Instead, work toward adopting budget-friendly habits that can both keep you cool and reduce your spending this summer season. 1. Use a Programmable Thermostat When you have a regular thermostat, it’s your responsibility to change the temperature throughout the day and when you leave the home. “Set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature. We recommend 76°F to 78°F when you’re home and 78°F to 80°F when you’re away,” Levene says. With a programmable thermostat, you can simply set a specific schedule based on when you leave for work, when you typically go to sleep, and when you wake, so you can reduce energy waste without even thinking about it. 2. Set Up a Rain Barrel Constantly watering the lawn is a huge waste of water, and it can quickly add up on your water bill. Instead, use one or more rain barrels in the yard to catch and collect rain. The collected water

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    Surprising new indicator of B.C.s sluggish real estate market

    ByStan S.

    Call it a sign of the times? “There are so many listings right now in the Metro Vancouver area that there’s not enough signposts,” Kaitlyn Herbst, realtor with MRKT Real Estate Group said. “The company is actually offering, if we take down the signpost, if it’s already sold property and give them their signpost back so that they can use it for a new client, they will give us money back on our next signpost.” Herbst said in April there were more than 15,000 listings in the Greater Vancouver area. “That’s a lot of signs,” she said. “I mean, condos don’t always have signs and stuff, but buyers, they’re just not showing up. They’re a little bit uncertain with everything that’s going on and kind of taking a little more time to look.” Story continues below advertisement 2:07 Metro Vancouver condos sitting empty amid housing crisis Real estate experts say it has been an interesting start to the year in Greater Vancouver. “What we expected to happen was the market to be a little more active than what we’ve seen so far,” Andrew Lis, director of economics and data analytics at Greater Vancouver Realtors, told Global News. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. “Our forecast called for some growth in sales for the year, but sales have come in pretty slow since the beginning of the year.” Lis said it could partially be due to the uncertainty brought about by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the political uncertainty around the Canadian election and the federal government’s overall housing strategy plan. “So it could be a number of factors keeping buyers on the sidelines, but things have been sort of quiet on the buy side,” Lis said. Story continues below advertisement “On the sell side, we have a lot of people coming to market with their property. So we’re actually at a point right now where we have some of the highest levels of inventory we’ve seen in almost over a decade. So a really interesting time right now for the market.” Lis said that sales are down about 24 per cent year-over-year. “They’re hanging below our 10-year seasonal averages, you know, around 20, 30 per cent. They’ve kind of been around those levels for some time.” Lis said that the market started to pick up late last year but has been slower in the first part of 2025. “On the inventory side, however, what we’ve seen is a pretty significant increase in inventory levels in our region,” he added. “Our inventory level in the Greater Vancouver region that we track at our board has surpassed the 16,000 mark, which we have not seen in over about a decade.” Trending Now 4:55 New cabinet role puts former Vancouver mayor back in the spotlight Lis said that for buyers, it’s a good thing as there is finally some choice across the board — condos, detached houses and townhouses. Story continues below advertisement However, they have seen more sales of detached homes than attached or apartments. “Generally, price trends have been fairly flat over the past few months and even actually over the last couple of years,” Lis said. “There’s some very small minor ups and downs — a per cent here, up, down a per cent there — but generally the price trend has been flat and that’s been pretty much true across all product types.” Herbst said she has never seen a market like this. “When a couple years ago there was no subjects, you were buying places, sight unseen,” she said. “I had clients buy homes I had never actually seen. Subject free, all that. Now we’ve got, ‘Okay, we’ll come back and see you a second time’.” Herbst said there are even sellers adding incentives to lure in prospective buyers. “There is one home (in Langley) that is for sale that the realtor is offering a Disney Cruise to the buyers of this family home. A four-person Disney cruise,” she said. “It’s not cheap, but it’s a way to make it stand out. It’s a way to get those families through the door. And there’s a lot of options for those buyers. So it’s comparing apples to apples, but this one I get to go on a trip with my family.” &copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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    4 Updates to Invest in (Plus 4 to Skip) When Moving to a Home Short-Term

    ByStan S.

    Short-term moves can be stressful, and making a temporary space feel like home is important. But before you start knocking out walls and upgrading bathrooms, it’s wise to consider your return on investment—especially if you’re going to be reselling. “The decision to make improvements to a home intended for short-term use should be based on time, money, and immediate gratification,” says Dot Frank, a realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Alliance Group. “Since your stay is limited, limit improvements to those you can tackle in short order. Personally, if more than 10% of my stay is spent renovating, it would be a no-go.” Read on for expert tips on the kinds of investments and upgrades to a temporary space that make sense in the long term.  Credit: Jay Wilde Smart Investments for Short-Term Upgrades If you’re having trouble deciding what to invest in for your temporary home, consider your budget and timeline first. “Some upgrades can be very cost effective and can be done quickly, while others can leave you gasping for air and asking yourself ‘are we there yet?” says Devin Juarez, a real estate agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Elite. “Analyzing your budget and how long the project will take will help you prioritize your projects.” Next, decide whether the project you’re considering is a want or a need. “A beautiful bathroom might be a great improvement and make your day great when unwinding at the end of a long day, but if your house needs a new roof due to leaks or a new front porch because you’re afraid you might fall through the floor with every step you take, then it might make more sense to put off the new bathroom,” Juarez says.  Finally, consider the return on investment. If you’re only living in a home for a short time, it doesn’t make sense to sink tons of cash into an upgrade unless you can make the money back when you go to sell.  “Some upgrades such as new windows, new front door, new heater, or even an upgraded water heater to provide more hot water might be aesthetically pleasing, provide more efficiency with utilities, or an added comfort, but their cost does not provide a large return when selling the property,” Juarez says. “There are other investments in your home that could provide a better return with the same investment.” Frank says the ideal investment is a cost-effective improvement you’ll be able to appreciate while you reside in the residence, that also boosts your resale value. “Remember the end game is to resell, so make sure to keep it neutral and appealing to prospective buyers,” she says. “Remember the end game is to resell, so make sure to keep it neutral and appealing to prospective buyers.” — Dot Frank Here are a few projects the experts say are often good investments. 1. Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels Kitchens and bathrooms that have been remodeled or updated almost always yield the highest return on investments. “Many buyers go straight to the kitchen when searching for a new home. And many home seekers are paying more attention to the details in the bathroom, as many want that spa-like feel when entering the bathroom,” Juarez says. “We gather around the kitchen when having reunions or unwinding at the end of the day or at the beginning of our days to get the morning boost. An updated kitchen and bathroom can make all the difference between selling your home or it receiving any attention at all.” As you make your updates, try to keep them neutral and pleasing for the widest range of buyers. “Avoid trends that are permanent. You don’t want a permanent trend like your kitchen cabinets. That’s permanent,” says Tammy Doss, an agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central. Doss also cautions against making cheap upgrades like painting countertops, which won’t last long. Don’t have the time or budget for a major overhaul? Consider a small update. “Kitchens and bathrooms might be the heart of the home, but they can also feel daunting to renovate,” says Marjorie Adam, broker and owner at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Pathways. “The good news is that minor upgrades like swapping out cabinet hardware, replacing faucets, and updating light fixtures can be done on a budget and deliver impressive results. These changes elevate the look of the space without requiring a major remodel.” 2. Curb Appeal Updates Doss says curb appeal is one of the best ways to get eyes on your property when you go to sell. “I always tell my buyers, it’s like going on a dating app,” Doss says. “You swipe left or you swipe right. If you see a house that is cluttered with dirty dishes in the sink and it’s just a wreck, you’re going to swipe left. You’re not going to date that house.”  Doss says a well-manicured lawn and facade on your home will draw the most buyers and showings. “Once they’re in the door, they can decide if they want a second date or making an offer,” she says. “They want to see the lawn has been taken care of—no oversized shrub,” Doss says. “They want to make sure the gutters have been taken care of, the porch has been swept off.” If you want to go above and beyond, try adding to your beds. New buyers will be drawn to

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    How to declutter your home: comprehensive, room-by-room tips

    ByStan S.

    Clearing out your house can be an exhausting process: so many decisions to make, so much stuff to move around, and so much research into the best ways to donate or recycle your unwanted things. Tackling one room at a time is logical and helps to make things manageable, and there are few rooms that will take more than one day to clear and reorganise. Some people take to decluttering like a duck to water, but others need a little more guidance. As a general rule, we find that if you can’t remember the last time you used something, or if it takes a while to dive down and find that memory, it’s time to get rid of the item in question. We’ve broken it down room by room, so you can follow along with the process, and find tips on the easiest and most convenient ways to get rid of things (if you live in the UK, at any rate). Some general principles Take everything out of the drawer/cupboard/wardrobe before you start sorting and group it. You need to see all your shirts/tins of food/chargers in one place before you make decisions. When you put it back, keep the groups! If all of the same kinds of thing are together, it makes it much easier to keep track of what you have. If you can’t remember the last time you used an item (assuming it’s something functional), or retrieving the memory takes some effort, it’s time to get rid of it. If it’s expired (for food or bathroom products), if it’s been in the freezer for longer than three months (some might say six months), or it hasn’t fit you in the last year, get rid of it. Create seasonal storage, so that winter duvets, woolly jumpers and puffer coats are out of sight when you don’t need them. Underbed boxes are perfect for this. If you have a large house and lots of different places where things could be, it can be helpful to make a map or diagram of where everything is, and keep it somewhere easily accessible. Have a plan for what you’re going to do with unwanted items. It is overwhelming to pull everything out of your cupboards and have no idea what to do with them. Don’t throw things away unless you absolutely have to. Most things can be recycled, and there are more and more facilities to do so easily. As you begin with any given room, set up a box for things to throw away (keep it to a minimum), things to recycle, things to donate, and things to sell. This will make it easier to take action once the room is in order. Setting up a halfway house box in your house can also be helpful for ambiguous items. If you’re hesitating about donating something or putting it in the rubbish, relegate it to the box for a week or two, and then go through the box and see if your feelings have changed. Many retailers have started offering facilities to recycle old electrical items and textiles, or even buy back old furniture, and some offer vouchers in return. IKEA’s scheme to buy back assembled pieces of furniture is particularly worth knowing about, since old IKEA furniture can be hard to shift in other ways, and they will give you in-store credit for new pieces. John Lewis has promised to have similar schemes in place in every category by 2025, and currently recycle small tech appliances. Listing something for free on Gumtree is very often the quickest way to get rid of something. If you’re tempted to list an item for a small sum, but you want to prioritise getting it out of the house quickly, think about giving it away instead. People become remarkably unfussy when something is free, and they’ll come and collect it without a peep. For whole house clear-outs that involve multiple kinds of item (furniture, clothes, books, etc), booking a collection with the British Heart Foundation (which is great for furniture) or icollectclothes.com (which takes clothes, books, toys and small homewares) is a hassle-free way to go. How to dispose of different types of clutter If the thought of lugging old books and DVDs down to the charity shop is a dispiriting one, Ziffit (run by second-hand book moguls World of Books) is an excellent option for disposing of them, and you can regain a few pennies at the same time. Scan the ISBN or barcode with the camera on your phone, and the Ziffit app tells you how much they’re willing to pay you for it (usually somewhere between 50p and £5). You can then package them up, and organise a collection: minimal effort and a tiny bit of money back, hurrah! Electrical and electronic items Small electrical items like hairdryers/DVD players can be a pain to recycle. Looking at your local council website is a sensible place to start, as they will have the location of big recycling centres as well as any nearby WEEE (Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment) bins. These are usually located on major roads or in car parks, and take small devices that plug in. Some retailers also offer WEEE recycling: Currys is one of the best, and will take pretty much anything and give you a small voucher in return. Find out more here. You can also take small

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    6 Patio Pieces You Didn’t Know You Could and Should Clean with Dish Soap

    ByStan S.

    Outdoor patio furniture and decor is made of weather-resistant materials, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get dirty. Properly storing items is essential, as is regular cleaning. The good news is, you can effectively clean all kinds of patio items with one product that may already be sitting by your kitchen sink: Dawn dish soap. “Patio items accumulate all sorts of grime—from food spills and sticky drink residues to pollen, dust, and even environmental oils,” says Arianna Castro, P&G home care scientist. Whether it’s regular dish soap or one of the brand’s heavy-duty sprays, Castro says they are extremely useful for cleaning a variety of patio items, and remove up to 99% of grease and grime. “These products are designed to lift and break down these oily and greasy soils, allowing them to be easily rinsed away,” the she says. To help you keep your patio ready for lounging and entertaining all season long, here are the outdoor items you can clean with dish soap. 1. Outdoor Chair Cushions and Rugs If you notice a stain on your outdoor chair cushions or a dirty spot on the patio rug, Castro suggests spot-cleaning them with dish soap. “It’s great for treating stains, especially those that are greasy or food-based,” she says. Dawn dish soap is excellent for targeted stain treatment according to the expert, but she does recommend using a dedicated outdoor fabric cleaner for full cleaning. Before you use dish soap to spot-treat outdoor textiles, try it on a hidden spot such as the under-side of a rug to make sure it doesn’t cause discoloration. Related 2. Hard, Non-Porous Surfaces Dawn dish soap products are gentle on finishes but tough on dirt, which makes them ideal for cleaning a variety of patio pieces and backyard fixtures. “You can use them on hard, non-porous surfaces such as plastic or resin furniture, glass tabletops, [and] vinyl siding on sheds,” Castro says. One option is to mix a couple of drops of dish soap with warm water in a large bucket and scrub the items with a non-abrasive brush or sponge. Another is to use one of the brand’s sprays and spritz the dirty surface, wipe it down, then rinse with water. 3. Synthetic Wicker Furniture Not all outdoor furniture that looks like wicker is actually made of natural wicker—some is constructed from synthetic materials such as resin or plastic. Castro says you can clean synthetic wicker furniture with dish soap, but does not recommend using dish soap on natural wicker or wood surfaces to avoid damaging their finish. When cleaning synthetic wicker, make sure to use a non-abrasive sponge or brush that doesn’t cause scratches that can leave the material more vulnerable to weather-related damage. 4. Grill Grates Backyard barbecues may be fun, but cleaning sticky grill grates—not so much. Castro recommends using dish soap, which is both safe to use and effectively cuts through stubborn grease on gas and charcoal grills. As a general rule of thumb Dawn dish soap is safe to use on stainless steel, cast iron, and porcelain coated grills, but as with every appliance, it is best to check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to be on the safe side. 5. Kids’ Plastic Outdoor Toys If your kids have plastic outdoor toys on the patio, Castro suggests giving them a good clean with dish soap. In a large bucket, mix a couple of drops of dish soap with warm water and stir to combine. Use a non-abrasive sponge or bucket to scrub plastic toys clean, making sure you target any extra grimey spots or crevices that collect dirt and pollen. Rinse the toys with a hose and allow them to air dry completely. 6. Outdoor Coolers Between sticky spills and old food residue, outdoor coolers can get pretty gross. And since they hold food and drinks, it’s especially important to clean them properly and regularly in order to prevent mold from growing and potentially contaminating the cooler’s contents. Castro recommends using dish soap to clean outdoor coolers. If you notice that the cooler has an unpleasant smell, pre-treat it before cleaning. Mix equal parts water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle and generously spritz the inside of the cooler (including the lid) with the mixture. Let it work for at least 30 minutes before scrubbing down the cooler with warm soapy water. Rinse it off the suds with water, wipe it dry with a clean microfiber cloth, and leave it open to fully dry before stocking it again.

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