When it comes to homeownership, there are many maintenance tasks you know you need to keep up with – mowing the lawn, washing your windows, freshening up a coat of paint or two, to name a few. But there are also certain lesser-known tasks that, when avoided, can be detrimental to your home, not to mention costly to recover from.
But don’t despair – we’ve compiled a list of the top three not-so-common spring cleaning chores to add to your seasonal to-do list to keep your home spotless and in tip-top shape.
Swap Your Faucet Filters
Did you know your kitchen and bathroom faucets have filters which require cleaning and replacing every three to six months? The role of these filters is to prevent minerals and sediment from ending up in your water supply, which means that build up gets caught in your faucet’s filters. By neglecting to replace the filters, you’ll likely end up with a reduction in water pressure, along with an expensive system repair and unsanitary water.
To clean your filters, simply unscrew the aerator from the faucet spout (either by hand or with a pair of pliers), and use a small cleaning brush to scrub away any grime from the screen. If there’s a substantial amount of mineral buildup, you can purchase replacement filters from your local hardware store.
Once you’re done scrubbing your fitler, twist it back on to the faucet and set a calendar reminder to repeat in three to six months to keep your water pressure and cleanliness up to par.
Disinfect Your Dishwasher
While it sounds a bit like an oxymoron, the inside of your dishwasher needs a good cleaning and disinfecting every few months to run more efficiently, as well as to remove gunk and build up from food particles that get trapped in the filter.
Depending on your dishwasher’s model, the filter is typically located on the bottom of the interior of your dishwasher and can be popped out. To clean it, simply run it under hot water, then place it back in the dishwasher. Next, fill a dishwasher safe bowl with white vinegar and place it on the top rack of the dishwasher. Then sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of your dishwasher and run a full cycle on hot water. Once complete, your dishwasher will sparkle from the inside out – no scrubbing required!
Freshen Up Your Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are extremely convenient, but, let’s face it – with the amount of waste that gets thrown down them, they can get pretty smelly. By cleaning them regularly (once a month, at the least), you can freshen up the smell while keeping the blades sharp to improve your disposal’s effectiveness.
For an easy, scrub-free way to clean your garbage disposal, start by sprinkling about a half of a cup of baking soda into the garbage disposal, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 – 20 minutes, then turn on the disposal and flush it down with hot water.
If you want your sink to smell even fresher, follow up the process by putting some citrus peels in your disposal and letting the blades do the work to grind them up and release a fresh, citrusy scent into your kitchen.
Optimize your dryer’s performance and prevent fires with this simple weekend task
No one loves household chores, however, by completing these three simple tasks this season, you’ll be one step closer to a well-maintained home, while putting off costly repairs and damages. Happy Spring Cleaning!
