Focus on Prevention
1/11
Focus on Prevention
Home maintenance can be overwhelming, especially for new homeowners. Rather than waiting for serious issues to arise, however, it’s prudent to make a monthly schedule of simple tasks to tackle—many of which only take a few minutes to complete. Read on for a list of chores that, if completed regularly, will help to avoid bigger problems down the road.
Test Smoke Detectors
2/11
Woman putting batteries in smoke detector
Ensuring that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly is essential for the safety of your home. Check that batteries are working on both devices and change them if necessary. While focusing on fire safety, make sure that fire extinguishers are in working order and aren’t expired. It’s also a good idea to remind the other members of the household of where they’re located in case of an emergency.
Check the HVAC System
3/11
Man checking the HVAC System
A home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning or HVAC system includes a filter that should be checked and potentially replaced on a regular basis. Those with pets or dusty homes may have to be changed more frequently. While some filters are disposable, others can be cleaned and reused. Cleaning or replacing filters frequently will improve air quality in the home and increase the efficacy of the heating system in the colder months.
Maintain Kitchen Appliances
4/11
Cleaning Refridgerator
Cleaning the dishwasher, fridge, and oven should be on every home’s monthly cleaning checklist, but there are also some simple ways to maintain these appliances at the same time. For optimal performance, clean or change filters on the dishwasher and fridge if it has a water dispenser or ice cube maker. It’s also prudent to go through food in the fridge and pantry to toss expired items on a monthly basis.
Restock Essentials
5/11
Toilet Paper, soap, toothbrushes
Running out of toilet paper, bandages, or toothpaste can be an annoyance on a normal day, or a serious issue during a major weather event or other emergency. Keep an inventory of cleaning products, paper towels, personal toiletries, first-aid supplies, batteries and other household essentials and check each month to ensure everything is well stocked.
Check for Leaks
6/11
Checking for leaks
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), leaks in an average American household account for 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year. Do a tour of the home looking for signs of leaks around sinks, showers, bathtubs, and toilets. Even a small amount of water should be cause for concern and warrants further inspection.
Unclog Slow Drains
7/11
Unclog Slow Drains
Prevent serious clogs and backups by clearing out bathroom and kitchen drains monthly. Use a drain cleaning tool (available on Amazon) to remove hair and debris. Then, use a commercially produced drain cleaning product or a homemade drain cleaner to finish the job. If the drain is already clogged, a plunger or plumbing snake may be necessary to clear up the problem.
Clean the Garbage Disposal
8/11
Baking Soda and Vinegar
A kitchen’s garbage disposal can be a breeding ground for bacteria, but luckily there are a number of simple solutions to clean it. Add a combination of ice cubes and bleach into the system, which will both sharpen the blades and kill any lingering bacteria. For a more natural solution, a mixture of vinegar and baking soda will also do the trick. Another popular trick is making vinegar ice cubes by filling a tray with a cup of white vinegar and topping it off with water.
Check Electrical Cords
9/11
Broken electrical cord
A damaged electrical cord should be cause for concern because it can be a potential fire hazard. Examine all cords and wiring in the home monthly to look for cracks, splits, and fraying. It’s also important to ascertain whether household pets or mice have managed to chew through wiring. Any damaged wire should be repaired with electrical tape or replaced completely, depending on the severity of the issue.
Clean the Range Hood Filter
10/11
Range hood filter
A range hood is essential for proper kitchen ventilation, but a dirty filter impedes its performance. Some higher-end models have indicator lights that will turn on when the filter needs to be changed; for most range hoods, however, the filters simply need to be checked to ensure there’s no excessive grease buildup. While some have disposable filters that should be changed approximately once a year, others have reusable filters that can be washed with water and dish soap using a wire brush.
Do a Tour of the Exterior
11/11
Man examining crawl space
No matter the time of year, it’s prudent to ensure that the exterior, as well as the interior of the home, is in good condition. Once a month, do a tour of the yard to check for any potential issues. Look for signs of water damage, cracks in the foundation, and evidence of infestations of bugs or other critters. Take a peek under the deck, check large trees for signs of breakages or rot, and check for loose shingles on the roof.
I’m David Uria, the proud owner of Intex Janitorial & Maintenance. I look forward to sharing my story. I hope that you will enjoy getting to know me better.
Spring Cleaning Mishaps
1/13
12 Spring Cleaning Mistakes
Are you ready to shake the cold-weather blues and spruce up your home for the warmer months ahead? Before you overhaul your living space with cleaning projects galore, remember that spring cleaning isn’t as simple as it seems. With today’s powerful cleaning products, and high-tech appliances, there’s a lot of room for error. One simple mistake could damage your home, costing you a world of effort and a stack of cash. Keep these tips in mind before you clean and you’ll dodge disaster and be left with a no-mess, no-stress home.
Time to Shine
2/13
Cleaning Hardwood Floors
After surviving winter’s dry indoor air, your wood floors might be in need of some rehab. Before you reach for any old product to clean or restore your floor, make sure you’re using one that works for your material and finish. While wax may work great on a floor that’s already wax-coated, it can diminish the shine or smoothness of laminate, varnished, or polyurethane-finished wood. Always consult a product’s instructions and be sure it matches your floor type before using it.
Super Sudsy
3/13
using too much detergent
As springtime rolls around, it’s natural to feel the urge to go on a laundry spree, but an overzealous approach can do more harm than good. Using too much laundry detergent is actually worse than not using enough; a heavy-handed dose of soap can make clothes stiff and dingy. All that extra soap can also attract bacteria, leaving linens with an unpleasant odor. Instead, use the amount that the detergent label specifies (or even less, since modern washers are more efficient than many of their predecessors).
Shrinking Slipcovers
4/13
Cleaning Slipcovers
Slipcovers can be a fantastic, low-maintenance option to keep couches and chairs looking fresh and up-to-date, but washing them on the wrong laundry setting can ruin them altogether, causing you to invest in a replacement set. Never wash slipcovers in warm or hot water unless their tags specifically instruct you to do so; instead, opt for cold water to keep them from shrinking.
High and Dry
5/13
Use Water-Resistant Tubs
If you’re looking for a way to store all those books you read this winter, steer clear of cardboard boxes. In the event of a flood, leak or condensation issue, your books will quickly warp, smell, and mold if kept in containers that are essentially made of paper themselves. Instead, opt for water-resistant storage bins to keep your reading collection safe. Follow the same rules for putting away your winter clothes.
Crystal Clear
6/13
Wash Windows with Microfiber Cloth
Few things are more frustrating than spending your time and energy trying to make your windows gleam, only to stand back and see streaks. Avoid this common problem by using a lint-free microfiber cloth and either a store-bought, streak-free cleaning solution or one part white vinegar mixed with one part water. For truly grimy windows, try straight vinegar.
Perfect Plexiglass
7/13
Cleaning Plexiglass
While plexiglass is a wonderful and safe alternative to glass—particularly when used in windows and bathroom enclosures—its durability runs parallel to its sensitivity. Never clean plexiglass with a dry cloth; rather, use a moist cloth (and a light touch) to prevent minor scratches.
Breathing Room
8/13
Let Wet-Vac Carpets Dry
Having your carpets professionally cleaned—or renting a high-powered wet vac and doing it yourself—is a key part of keeping a clean home. But if you don’t allow the carpet enough time to dry before putting furnishings back into place, you run the risk of developing a mold (and odor) problem of epic proportions. Allow enough breathing room for carpets to dry completely before replacing a room’s contents. The proper dry time could be a few hours or a day, depending on the air flow in the room and the thickness of the carpet pile.
Top to Bottom
9/13
Clean from Top to Bottom
When most people start their spring cleaning regimen, things like floors, windows, and ceilings take precedence over everything else. But if these spots aren’t cleaned in the right order, your cleaning routine can allow copious amounts of dust and other allergens to accumulate. For a deeper clean, start by dusting the light fixtures and corners of the ceiling, then do the windowsills and trim, and finally the baseboards and the floors. In the end, you’ve tackled a lot of dirt with very little effort.
Bug Off
10/13
Springtime Pruning
Springtime doesn’t just yield blooms; it also brings bugs and infections, some of which could damage your trees. If you prune your trees and shrubs in advance of the growing season, consider coating the freshly-cut edges of vulnerable trees like birch, elm, and oak in pruning wax to seal the wounds, preventing bugs, bacteria, and fungi from destroying them later on.
Original Article Source Credits: How Stuff Works , https://home.howstuffworks.com/
You spend 40-plus hours a week in your office, and you’re doing the jobs of two people. It’s no wonder that at the end of the week, you’re searching under piles of paper for your car keys and cell phone when it’s time to go home.
A clean office makes for a clear head, but who has time to organize with your workload? Setting up systems and sticking to them allows you to work smarter while you work harder. It also gives the impression that you’re on top of things when your boss makes an impromptu visit to your office. Who wants to leave her standing there while you shuffle through mounds of paperwork to find the one file folder she needs? Here are five tips to get you started.
5: File As You Go
One of the biggest office offenders is piles of paper — on your desk, on your shelves, and eventually on your floor. It’s easy to get busy and start stacking papers to file for later, but before you know it, you have a task that’s too big to tackle. The key is to process papers as you go. Set up a system of trays or file folders that are clearly labeled and make it a habit to use them. The same goes for your computer desktop.
4: Clean Your Electronics
Hey you, with the food spattered monitor and keyboard full of crumbs. We know that you eat at your desk so you can work through lunch. And it certainly impresses your boss, but your co-workers are probably snickering about the week-old stroganoff stains. Fortunately, it’s a simple fix. Head to your local office supply store, pick up some wipes that are specifically made for electronics, and make it a point to wipe down your keyboard and monitor daily. Not only will it keep dust and debris from gumming up your computer, but it also helps keep germs at bay.
3: Declutter Your Desk
If you’re like many people, your desk probably acts as the kitchen table for your office. It’s the place where everything gets dropped, and pretty soon you have to dig to get to your computer. A clean desk will guarantee more productivity, but you’re already so busy trying to be productive, who has time to stop and clean? The key is to schedule it daily, and treat it like it’s a meeting you can’t miss. It helps if you minimize the tchotchkes and picture frames and only keep work essentials on, in and around your desk.
2: Assign a Place for Everything
The key to making cleaning your office easy is to put everything in its rightful place. So, this means that you need to assign a place for everything and label it clearly so you can find it in a pinch. Once you get in a habit of putting things away, decluttering becomes a quick task that’s second nature. This also means not filling up every single inch of storage. New items will come into play and need a place to live, so keep a few empty shelves or drawers to make room for the new.
1: Get Rid of Junk
The magnet business cards, the colorful array of cheap pens, the coffee cups, the calendars — all freebies that you just couldn’t say no to. Now, they’re strewn all over your desk. It may seem like stuff that’s useful, but really it’s just stuff that clutters up your space and makes you feel guilty for throwing it away. We know it’s hard to resist free swag, but learn to just say “no.”
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