Home Maintenance Tasks To Keep You Busy

Getting bored sitting around the house while practicing physical distancing? Although these are difficult and strange times, being productive is one great way to help you stay positive and make the time pass by.

We’ve compiled some small home maintenance ideas that will help keep you busy and keep your home in tip-top shape.

Many of these tips may seem like obvious general maintenance tasks, but they’re easy to forget about amid the bustle of everyday life. Now that you’re spending more time at home, it’s a good opportunity to finally get around to these tasks.

#1 Clean Ceiling Fan Blades

You may be shocked (and disgusted!) at how much dust gathers on top of your ceiling fan blades. While it’s good practice to dust these routinely, it’s easy to forget about them!

First, make sure to clear the area underneath the fan to ensure that no dust scatters onto your other belongings. We recommend finding an old sheet to put underneath to contain the falling debris.

Don’t have a duster lying around? A quick, effective method to clean the fan blades is to use an old pillowcase to wrap around the blade, then slide the dust off. Follow up with a quick wipe using a dry cloth to ensure the fan blades are dust-free!

#2 Replace Batteries in Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Keep yourself and your family safe by checking the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. A general rule of thumb is to replace batteries twice a year, if not more. After inserting the new batteries, hold the test button down for approximately 20 seconds (depending on the model) to ensure the battery is working properly.

#3 Clean Your Range’s Hood Filter

Hood filters collect a huge amount of grease and grime. Depending on how often you cook (and the last time you cleaned it), this can be a pretty serious task.

Fill a basin with boiling water, dish soap, and a ¼ cup of baking soda. Remove the filter from the hood fan and place it inside the basin and leave submerged for at least 10 minutes. Then, remove the filter, scrub it clean and leave it to dry.

#4 Clean Your Dryer Vents

Your dryer vents collect lint every time it is used. Keeping these vents clear of dust and lint is crucial to ensure the dryer cools down as it should. If the dryer vent is clogged, the dryer will be less efficient at cooling down, and will not dry your clothing as fast as it should. However, this is more than an inconvenience. When dryer vents are clogged, it presents a fire hazard.

To prevent this, remove the vent from your dryer (found at the back of the machine), and vacuum the entire area behind the appliance. You should also take a cloth and wipe the dust from all over the machine, which has likely built up considerably at the back.

#5 Clean Refrigerator Coils

The area behind your refrigerator is covered in dirt, grease, crumbs and dust, all of which stick to the refrigerator coils. While this can cause a decrease in the efficiency of your appliance, it’s also very dangerous. When these coils get too hot, they can be a fire hazard.

Your refrigerator needs these coils to keep the appliance cool, so it’s important to keep them clear of any debris. To do this, unplug the refrigerator and pull it away from the wall. Once you can access the coils, use your vacuum cleaner’s brush attachment to gently clean away the dirt. Follow this up with a damp cloth to wipe away any grime left behind.

Plus, while you’re cleaning around your refrigerator, it’s a good idea to wipe down the inside too!

We hope this list will help keep you busy and productive while you’re spending more time at home! Checking off the small jobs around the home will alleviate some stress and allow you to think of the larger projects you want to take on this year.

If you are considering any exterior home renovations, give us a call! Our team at Smart Home Improvement would love to chat with you.