Last week we talked about exterior projects for the spring, this week we’re looking indoors – beyond the usual spring cleaning tasks – to some interior home maintenance tasks to tick off your list!
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Vacuum lint from dryer exhaust vent
The National Fire Protection Association says that more than 15,000 fires are started each year because of clothes dryers. To prevent this, make sure you clean your lint screen after every load and periodically vacuum out the exhaust vent (inside and out with an attachment like this). If your exhaust runs more than a few feet to the outside, then have your entire exhaust duct cleaned by a professional.
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Check HVAC filters
If you have central AC units serviced in the spring, your pro should check these at the same time. If not, have a look. If you replaced them in the fall, give them a quick vacuum (being careful not to tear). If its been a year, it’s time to replace.
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Test smoke and CO alarms / change batteries
It’s a good idea to test your smoke detectors and CO alarms at least once a year and change the batteries while you are at it. AllState has a good write-up on this here.
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Clean shower heads with white vinegar
Showerheads can get clogged with sediment just like any other faucet in your house. You can go ahead and remove the showerhead to clean it or place a plastic bag filled with white vinegar over the showerhead and let it soak for a couple of hours. I have handheld showers in my house and I just let them hang while they soak as seen in the picture above. Better Homes and Gardens explains how to do it here.
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Snake bathroom drains
Regularly snaking out bathroom drains with a drain stick is an easy, non-chemical way of avoiding larger clogs. You might want to do this more often if you have a lot of long-haired family members using a bathroom! We’ve had good luck with these.
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Clean faucet aerators
Over time small particles can build up in faucet aerators making your water flow less than optimal. Twice a year, take off the aerator and clean it to keep your water flowing strong. Dummies.com has a good video how-to here. You can also soak the aerator in vinegar if flushing alone doesn’t do the trick.
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Clean kitchen exhaust hood & filter
These workhorses of the kitchen are often overlooked, but they collect lots of grease as they suck the odors from the room. The exhaust hood has filters that can be removed. They can be washed in hot, soapy water in the sink or put in the dishwasher (check your hood’s manual first, but I’ve had good luck doing it this way!) Epicurious has a very detailed tutorial here.
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Clean garbage disposal
Wikihow has a list of methods to clean and deodorize your disposal here.
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Install window AC units
Time to get those AC units out of storage to stay cool during the summer months. If you didn’t maintain in the Fall, give your window AC units a little TLC before putting them into service. Apartment Therapy has three simple steps here.
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Vacuum refrigerator coils
Keeping your refrigerator coils clean is the number one thing you can do to extend the life of your fridge. These coils are either located on the back of your refrigerator or at the bottom behind the kickplate. Be sure to unplug your fridge before you do anything and we like an inexpensive vacuum attachment like this one to do the job.
Download a printable version of this list here. Get the full Home Maintenance Planner that includes an equipment checklist, seasonal interior and exterior tasks, home maintenance contact sheet and paint reference list, here.
Kristen
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