We look to our home as a sanctuary, a peaceful place of comfort to come back to after a hard day at work. But homes don’t run themselves and being in charge of the household can easily be a full-time job in itself, especially if there are children to take care of as well.
In many cases both partners in a relationship have to work full-time jobs, and the household chores have to somehow fit in around this. In that situation it’s hardly surprising that many less urgent household chores often get overlooked, or at least postponed until another day. And sometimes weeks, months or even years can pass before that day arrives.
Vacuum under furniture
Some tasks, like basic cleaning, paying the bills and essential repairs won’t be put off: we know they need doing and generally get on with it. But others are far too easily overlooked. For instance, we can look at the carpet and know that it needs vacuuming. But what about underneath the furniture and appliances, where dust, dirt and debris gather but we can’t see it? Make a note to get underneath the beds, couches and other bulky items for a thorough clean at the first opportunity.
Clean the outside too
It’s easy to clean inside of your home and turn a blind eye to the exterior or assume it will somehow take care of itself. When you do notice that a part of the outside needs attention, the chances are it’ll be your windows. These should really be cleaned both inside and out every two to six months. Paying a local window cleaner to do the outside is a worthwhile investment and is a good way to put money back into your community.
Don’t stop at the windows though: buy yourself a pressure washer to clean off the sidings and your steps or patio. You should also make sure that you clear your gutters regularly, removing debris like leaves and other matter that can stop them from doing their job properly. Again, if you’re not confident working off a ladder, pay a local professional to do it for you.
Change and clean vents
There are a number of appliances in your home with vents that can get clogged or dirty through everyday wear and tear. Check how often to change the air filter for your air conditioning, and also look at the vents on your clothes dryer. The built-in vent should really be changed after every load, as this rapidly gathers lint which causes clothes to take longer to dry and can become a fire hazard if left unattended. The exterior vent should also be cleaned at least once a year.
Behind the fridge
Who knows what lurks behind your fridge? It’s worth finding out and giving that area a good clean, but even more important is cleaning the coils at the back of the fridge where dust and dirt will build up. This makes your fridge work harder and use more energy, so if you want to keep your appliances in good working order and keep your bills down you should add this to your cleaning list.
See to the stove
Cleaning the oven is one of those jobs that we put off for as long as we can because of how tough and unpleasant it is, but it is also one that we’re reminded needs doing every day when we cook a meal. It’s much easier to go a long time without considering the fan above your stove, which will also get clogged with grease and may eventually stop working. Both of these jobs need doing, so pull on your rubber gloves and have a stove day soon.
Go through your closets
At the start of every new season, go through your closets and pull out any clothes that you no longer wear. They can be given away to charity to free up more space. While you’re doing that, move the clothes that are appropriate to the new season to the front, and those you won’t be wearing for a while can go to the back. So as winter gives way to summer, move thick sweaters and overcoats out of the way and pull lighter clothes to the front. You might even re-discover some overlooked favorites.
Keeping on top of household tasks can seem never-ending. It’s worth taking the time to draw up a list, maybe in the form of a spreadsheet online that can be accessed via your PC or smartphone. You can add to this when you think of another job that needs doing. This will help you stay on top of the jobs that need doing in your home.
To read more on topics like this, check out the Home & Garden category.
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