Getting Organized – Housekeeping and Home Maintenance Checklist

Housekeeping and home maintenance tasks can easily get forgotten, and constant worry about your to-do list can create a lot of undue stress for you. If left unchecked, small, manageable chores can build up and become a major task. However, if you follow our easy checklist of weekly, monthly, and yearly chores, you can keep on top of your housekeeping and home maintenance tasks.

Weekly Checklist

1. Vacuum all carpets thoroughly, mop all tiles and if you have hardwood floors, give them a once over with a dust mop.
2. Do a thorough wipe down of all kitchen countertops and the outside of your appliances.
3. Thoroughly clean each bathroom including bathtubs, showers, sinks, and toilets.
4. Wash all of your household linens.
5. Spend up to an hour each week tackling a task in the yard, whether it be mowing the lawn, leaf blowing, or pulling weeds.
6. Complete ¼ of your monthly checklist items each week.

Monthly Checklist

1. Clean the stove hood and filter, which tend to build up a layer of grease over time. By ensuring to tackle this once a month, you will find it easier to maintain.
2. Clean a slow draining sink or shower/tub with a drain snake.
3. Dust all surfaces, including light fixtures and ceilings, and wipe down your baseboards.
4. Rinse and disinfect your kitchen garbage bins. Give them a good soak which will help keep the flies away and keep your kitchen smelling fresh.
5. Wipe down kitchen cupboards and handles to keep your kitchen looking its best.
6. Clean doormats and bath mats.
7. Clean the inside of your fridge – throw out old food and wash down the shelves.
8. Check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and if they are not hardwired, check to see if the batteries need replacing. This task is an important safety feature that you should not neglect.
9. Visually inspect the outside of your home for any maintenance issues that have arisen such as broken eavestroughs or downspouts, loose roof tiles, insect nests, etc. It is important to discover problems promptly before they become more significant issues.
10. Clean behind and underneath the furniture in one or more rooms.
11. Replace furnace filters as necessary. This keeps the air in your home clean while also maintaining the efficiency of your furnace and air conditioner.
12. Complete 1 of your yearly checklist items each month.

Yearly Checklist

1. Wash your exterior windows and window screens. Although many incorporate this into their spring cleaning, you can schedule this task at any time of the year.
2. Clean out your eavestroughs and take care of any trees or shrubbery nearing the house.
3. Clean out your freezer – allow the built-up frost to thaw to avoid build-up.
4. Clean/repair/replace dirty or worn-out grout and sealant in your kitchen and bathrooms.
5. Refresh one room in your house with a fresh coat of paint, new furniture, or new décor.
6. Clear out the garage, attic, or basement. Although this is one of the most dreaded tasks, you could be hoarding valuable items in your junk pile. It is worth sorting through everything thoroughly and donating to your local thrift shop or selling online to make extra spending money.
7. Take on an outdoor improvement, such as replacing broken fencing, laying sod, re-sealing your decked area, or installing raised flower beds.

By following our weekly, monthly, and yearly checklists, you can have a well-maintained home without the constant stress of keeping a running to-do list in your mind. Keep this list somewhere visible. Add or remove items from the list as necessary.

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Michelle Stevens

REALTOR®

RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty Inc. Brokerage

Email: michelle@jewelhouserealestate.com

Phone: 705-970-6137