Bunnings

Sign in or sign up

No Bunnings account? Sign up
or
PowerPass customer?
Visit the dedicated trade website

Project list

Sign in to your account

DIY - Extra - How to clean your BBQ - Eric
Make the most of the warmer weather to tick off some must-do maintenance tasks around the house. Here’s your summer maintenance checklist.

Summer is the perfect time to do those odd jobs around the house – the weather is perfect for spending time in the garden and with longer and hopefully fewer rainy days, you should get a good run at your outdoor projects, too.

Quick 30-minute jobs

Got half an hour? Then we’ve got three jobs you can tackle right now.

BBQ cleaning 101

The barbie is also bound to be getting a workout. It’s fine to give it a quick clean after use but for better results, give it a dedicated clean every couple of weeks.

How to do it:

1. Watch this step-by-step video on how to clean a BBQ, and disconnect the gas bottle.
2. Remove the drip tray and use a BBQ scraper to remove fat. Use BBQ wipes to remove excess grease.
3. Soak the hotplates in large tubs filled with hot water and dishwasher detergent. Give them a scrub with a metal scourer.
4. Wipe the rest of the BBQ inside and out with soapy water and BBQ wipes.
5. Once dry, replace everything and spray the hotplates and grills with cooking oil – this stops rust

Clean the garbage bins

The hot Australian sun combined with household rubbish can make for a stinky situation. Give your wheelie bin a good clean every few weeks in summer.

How to do it: 

1. Remove any stray garbage from the bottom of the bin.
2. Hose it out. A regular garden hose will do the trick but a high-pressure hose is even better. If the bin is particularly dirty, add an eco-friendly dishwashing liquid.
3. Use a long-handled scrubbing brush and give it a good going over.
4. Leave the open bin upside down to dry.

Clean your air conditioner

It’s summer: your air-con is probably getting a workout. It’s important to do regular maintenance on your unit to maximise efficiency and air quality and minimise energy bills.

How to do it:

1. Turn off the unit and read your instruction manual.
2. Remove the filters and brush them clean. If they’re really clogged, warm water can help, just make sure they’re dry before putting them back in the unit.
3. Wipe the louvres.
4. Head outside and make sure the compressor is clear of grass, weeds, sticks and leaves.

An extra quick job: Keep an eye out for pests. If it’s needed – and safe to do – spray for cockroaches and put down a mouse trap or two (keep them away from pets and kids).

Jobs that can be done in an afternoon

These jobs take a little longer but are just as satisfying. Set aside an afternoon to knock them over.

Wash your windows

Sparkling clean windows are super satisfying. Make a plan to do it now.

How to do it:

1. Wait for a cloudy day – hot days make cleaning solutions dry before you can finish the job, resulting in streaky windows. It’s also easier to see the streaks when it’s cloudy.
2. Watch this window cleaning video to see how easy it is to get a crystal clear result.

DIY - Extra 5 - How to clean windows - Micky

Clean the gutters

Cleaning gutters can help prevent leaks and blocked downpipes, but in summer, it’s an even more important job – dry leaf litter is a fire hazard.

How to do it:

1. Watch this video on how to clean gutters.
2. Once you're safely up on your ladder and wearing gloves, use one hand to pull any debris out of the gutters and put it in a bucket. Your other hand should be holding the ladder. The debris can go in your compost or green bin.
3. Use a brush to give the bottom of the gutter a sweep.

Get the pool crystal clear

The pool needs to be ready all summer long. It’s a good idea to skim the leaves regularly and do a more detailed clean weekly.

How to do it:

1. Use a pool water testing kit to check for things like chlorine and pH levels. Read how to do a complete pool test before getting started.
2. Empty the skimmer and pump basket.
3. Run the pool vacuum regularly and spot clean the pool edges and tiles with a damp cloth or brush.
4. Cover it with a pool cover when it’s being used. As well as keeping the pool clean, pool covers protect against sunlight, which can deplete water levels and make the water cloudy.

A pH testing kit being used to test pool water

Bigger projects 

Now for the jobs that take slightly longer – these are your weekenders.

  • Give outdoor furniture a second life: Brush up on how to revive outdoor furniture and get ready for some sanding and painting.
  • Give the garden some D.I.Y.: An irrigation system is great for maintaining your garden’s moisture levels and saving you watering time, too. Watch this video on how to install irrigation. Adding mulch is also a good idea to help keep the moisture in and stop nutrients washing away. Here’s everything you need to know about mulch.
  • Maintain your deck: To keep your deck in tiptop shape you need to clean and oil it. A couple of coats of oil takes time to dry so set aside a weekend for this job.
  • Seal your home: Sealing up any gaps around the house can help make it more energy efficient, in turn lowering your energy costs. Here’s how to caulk windows.

Don’t stop there

Got some time to spare? Here’s even more great project ideas for around the home this summer.

Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.