Welcome tothe final segment of our three-part series. If you’ve been following along with us, you’ve learned how spring-into-summer cleaning and organizing can make you feel like whole new you. All it takes is a little patience, effort, and a desire to create your best self.
Keeping your home in great shape isn’t just about looks. What’s going on behind the scenes is just as important. Part three of our series is all about safety. By doing a little maintenance once a year, you can extend the life of your appliances and furnace, and keep your family safe too.
This list can seem a little overwhelming, so don’t try to tackle it all at once! You can spread these tasks out and only take on a few at a time. Remember, you can always hire a handyman to do the work for you if you feel at all uncomfortable doing them yourself.
8 Safety & Maintenance Tips
Open Your Windows:
Wipe down the interior of widow sills as they tend to collect dust and dirt over the winter months. Clean them thoroughly to prevent mold from forming. Once finished, open your windows to let your home fill with fresh air.
Perform Safety Checks :
Smoke detectors:
Check your batteries to see if they are still in working order. Remember to replace your entire smoke detector unit every ten years.
Fire extinguishers:
Make sure your fire extinguishers are charged and in the green zone. If your home doesn’t have a fire extinguisher, purchase a few for various rooms.
Exhaust filters:
Check your filter over your stove. Be sure to clean and replace these as needed.
Furnace:
Because your furnace has been working hard all winter, make sure you clean the filter system, blower and motor. This will extend the lift of your system. If you are unsure how to do this properly, hire a professional to help.
Dryer Vent:
Cleaning your vent will allow you to save money as it reduces drying time. Even more, a clogged vent could cause a fire, so remember to do this often!
Washing Machine:
Check washing machine hoses to see if they are cracked. Cracked hoses could lead to leaks.
Refrigerator:
Thoroughly clean refrigerator coils. These are located either on the bottom or the back of the fridge. Remove the panel on the bottom of the fridge to vacuum out the entire area.
Water Heater:
Over time, you will get less and less hot water from your tank. Because of this, it is recommended to drain and remove sediment from your water heater once a year.
Appliances:
When it comes to appliances, consider upgrading them. Spring is a good time to evaluate your appliances to see if they are still in good working order. Better appliances could be more energy efficient and could help lower your utility bill.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our Spring into Summer Cleaning segment and are feeling motivated. Take that renewed energy and put it to good use with our helpful tips for a happy home.