🏡 We know how it goes: walking around the house, busy, moving to the next chore, soccer game or backyard barbecue, and you notice that one thing you’ve been putting off for months. Be it the chirping smoke detector, the horrors from under the fridge, or the aroma wafting up from the dishwasher — these are the tasks that get added to your mental checklist, then promptly forgotten because they’re out of sight, and very much out of mind. Add these simple tasks to your calendar every month, and make some extra room in the back of your mind for enjoying this beautiful summer weather.
Clean the dishwasher.
Much like the washing machine, cleaning your dishwasher is a task that gets overlooked when chore time comes around. Being an appliance that spends its whole life cleaning, you’d be surprised at how much gunk and bacteria builds up with regular use.
Depending on the model, most dishwashers have a filter at the bottom that should be cleaned out on a monthly basis at minimum. Once this filter has been cleared, place one cup of white vinegar on the upper rack in a dishwasher-safe container and run an empty cycle. Then, when that cycle is complete, sprinkle one cup of baking soda in the bottom and run again. That’s all it takes to clean the unsung hero of the kitchen.
Tend to your appliances.
Dust, crumbs, and small items always seem to accumulate quickly behind and underneath the microwave, refrigerator, and stove. In addition to affecting the air quality in your home, dust layers up on your appliances and can inhibit their performance (nobody wants a warm fridge), so make sure to put this on your calendar to check every month. First things first — unplug the appliances. Then, add a bristle brush attachment to your vacuum and gently clean any vents before wiping down surfaces with a damp rag and multi-purpose cleaning solution. Then, sweep, vacuum, and mop the floor before putting your appliances back in their rightful place.
Clean and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
While life-saving and invaluable in case of an emergency, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors usually fall into the “I’ll get to that at some point” when it comes to home maintenance. Make sure these are in good working order by clearing any cobwebs, wiping them down with a clean cloth, and blowing out the sensors with compressed air. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on routine maintenance, but plan to clean them at least quarterly.
Once you’re done cleaning, your alarms to make sure they’re operating correctly. If you need a replacement, stop in at your local Kenyon Noble and talk to our friendly and helpful staff today!
Clean out the lint trap.
In addition to keeping your dryer from doing what it does best, a clogged lint trap can be a major fire hazard. With a lint trap cleaning kit and your vacuum of choice, make sure to clean out your lint trap once a month to keep your home fire-hazard-free, as well as allow your dryer run efficiently, potentially reducing your utility costs.
Degrease your range hood.
Regular cooking can coat your range hood and vents with a nice sticky coat of oil. This film builds up quickly and, if not handled on a regular basis, can be a real pain to clean up. Start by removing the filter and soaking in hot water with an anti-grease dish soap and a 1/4 cup of baking soda for 15 minutes. Follow up with a foaming deep cleaner such as Dawn Powerwash and let sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a gentle brush. If that doesn’t cut it, try soaking overnight with two dishwasher pods and repeat the above steps again.
While keeping your home in order can seem like a never-ending ordeal, we can simplify and plan for the things that need to be done by scheduling them out in advance. So stay calm, whip out that calendar, and make life easier for Future You with the help of your friends at Kenyon Noble!
While do-it-yourself projects can be fun and fulfilling, there is always a potential for personal injury or property damage. We strongly suggest that any project beyond your abilities be left to licensed professionals such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Any action you take upon the information on this website is strictly at your own risk, and we assume no responsibility or liability for the contents of this article.