Guest Author - Rosemary Rugnetta

While walking around my yard yesterday observing what maintenance needs to be done now that spring is here, I spotted several birds flying back and forth to trees where they were building nests. I thought about how they are busy doing their own home maintenance while I’m looking around preparing to begin mine. Then it occurred to me that if I did home maintenance everyday throughout the year, it wouldn’t be so time consuming in the spring. There would be more time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. So to make this happen, I created a list of everyday home maintenance routines that will take only minutes to accomplish.

1. When doing your weekly cleaning, make sure to clean fingerprints and any other marks off of light switches, walls and moldings.
2. For each room you have painted, keep a small jar of paint under your sink for easy access for touch ups.
3. When dusting the furniture in each room, don’t forget to do the windowsills. This will keep them always looking new or freshly painted.
4. Keep a box of small wood nails handy. If you come across a piece of loose molding when vacuuming, repair it right away.
5. Never allow any type of spill to set into a rug or piece of furniture. Clean it up immediately. Doing this will prevent stains and make shampooing your rugs or upholstered furniture much easier and less time consuming.
6. Keep furniture touch up pens handy. Carry them with you when dusting and touch up any marks as you see them.
7. Clean out your refrigerator at least once a week. Throw out old food, clean spills and wipe fingerprints.
8. Make sure to clean the dryer vent every time you run a cycle. This is very important for preventing fires.
9. Clean the mirrors and television screens in your house every week. This will eliminate buildup which is more difficult to remove and can cause streaks.
10. Wipe your microwave and oven clean every time you use it.
11. When vacuuming, make sure to include any heating and cooling air vents at the same time.

“Your home is one of the single biggest investments you’ll ever make—be sure you do all you can to care for it. Get hands-on advice to help you make the most of your investment and ensure your home remains safe and comfortable for your family. From carpet care and general maintenance to mold and building materials, let NAHB be your guide.”

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By incorporating these simple tasks into your weekly chores, you will be saving time in the spring when you really want to get outside. These things take just a few minutes to do but can really help take the dread out of a scheduled deep cleaning.