Do these chores every month to keep your home pristine
With a new year comes fresh motivation for a clean and tidy home. And while you’ve got this feeling of positive productivity, you should take advantage! However, that’s not to say you should start cleaning and decluttering everything in sight immediately as that tends to lead to overwhelm and exhaustion. Instead, try breaking up the additional but essential chores and approaching them gradually. We’re talking about the jobs you deal with less regularly – think, cleaning out the washing machine filter or scrubbing your carpets. Not sure how often jobs, like washing the windows, need doing? To help break down the seasonal chores you shouldn’t forget about, we’ve listed them month-by-month to make them more manageable. Pencil these into your calendar, and your home will feel that much cleaner this year.
January
Wash bedding for a fresh start – Washing the bedding is something many of us will put off because it’s such a hindrance. Duvets and pillows take a long time to dry when washed at home, which makes timing fiddly. Ideally, you should complete this chore at least twice a year, otherwise, sweat and grime start to build up and stain. Make sure to wash two pillows at once in the washing machine, or pad out one pillow with additional towels, otherwise, the weight will become unbalanced and cause the machine to shake and vibrate as it attempts to spin.
Declutter a cupboard – January is a great time to declutter unused spaces, such as storage cupboards. Set aside time to clear and organise cluttered zones. And be strict on what you decide to keep, donate, and toss. Once you’ve accomplished this, it will put you in a great frame of mind moving forward.
February
Clean your mattress - As well as refreshing your bedding, you should aim to vacuum your mattress at least once a month too. Always refer to your mattress brand's care instructions first though, as some will rule out the vacuum cleaner and require specific care. Otherwise, you can use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner along with a low power setting and run this over the surface and sides of the mattress to pick up immediate dust and dead skin cells. Remember, not all mattresses can be flipped nowadays - many are designed with alternate layers of support and need to be positioned the right way up. But, it should still be rotated every week when new, decreasing to once every few months over time. If it's suitable to flip, flip and rotate it weekly for three months when new, then once every three to four months thereafter. Again, follow the manufacturer's guidance on this if you're unsure.
Shine up silverware – If you want to take Valentine’s dinner to the next level, why not break out the silverware? Most likely, it will need cleaning and polishing first. You can either buy a ready-made silver polish or make up your own with three parts bicarbonate of soda to one part water. Apply the solution using a lint-free cloth, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth for sparkling silver.
March
Clean and polish vases - With Mother’s Day coming up, you’ll want to make sure your best vase is ready for display. If it’s dishwasher-safe, run it through on the fragile cycle for a cleanse. Alternatively, leave a dishwasher tablet to dissolve in hot water overnight in the vase, then give it a good scrub.
Put away summer clothing – Now that hotter days are coming to an end, it’s time to store away your summer wardrobe and rotate your clothes. You can do this using vacuum storage bags to save on space. It will also keep them safe from moths and other nibbling nasties.
April
Clean the patio – With winter on the way, it’s a good idea to give your patio a once-over to remove any moss and grime. First, scrub away debris and leaves with a broom, then apply a decking or patio cleaner to suit the surface. A pressure washer with the relevant attachment may be suitable for use too, but this depends on the patio type. Bear in mind, that some types of wood decking will need preserving as well.
Clean the Braai –With all the braaing this summer and over the festive season, your grill will need a clean. For smaller grills, this can be a simple case of taking them apart while cooling and washing parts in soap and water before rinsing, drying, and replacing them. For larger grills, you can also burn off the residue.
May
Replace air purifier filters – Air purifiers are handy for keeping the dust in our homes to a minimum. Check that the filters in your air purifiers are still efficient. Some brands recommend replacing after a certain number of months, but most machines now feature a filter replacement indicator to guide you.
Clean windows – Take the time to give your windows a clean and get your them sparkling again. You can do this using a lint-free cloth and a window cleaner or mix your cleaner with diluted white vinegar (nine parts water to one part vinegar).
June
Deep clean your washing machine – This chore isn’t exactly timely - in fact, you should complete it at least every few months - but now is as good a time as any to do it. Remove the detergent drawer and give it a good scrub. Run the machine on a hot wash using a proprietary cleaner, to tackle soap scum and limescale. You should also clean the drain filters and wipe down the seal regularly.
Remove grass stains from white trainers – Grass stains are inevitable, and they can quickly ruin your favourite white trainers. Luckily, these are easy to shift; spritz a few drops of WD-40 on leather or tennis shoes, before wiping away.
July
Steam your wardrobe – For evenings out or any upcoming weddings, now’s a good time to steam your delicates using one of the best clothes steamers. It only takes a couple of minutes per item for wrinkles and creases to be gone.
Wash your beachwear – If you’re planning to hit the beach in the summer, be sure to wash your kit the right way. Remove all traces of sand before you start washing and steer clear of fabric conditioner; this will reduce the absorbency of the material. Wash swimwear by hand after soaking for 20 minutes in cool water, only using detergent every few washes. Hang to dry rather than resorting to the tumble dryer, otherwise you could damage the material. Now it is all ready to go once its hot again.
August
Clean your curtains – Now is a good time to give your curtains a clean in preparation for the summer nights. This isn’t as daunting as it sounds; some can be gently hand-washed or even washed in your washing machine (check the care label to confirm). Otherwise, you need simply take them to the dry cleaners.
Clean carpets – Vacuuming your carpets isn’t enough for a deep clean; it’s a good idea to wash them with one of the best carpet cleaners once in a while, too. It is recommended to do this
twice a year or more often with pets and children. It will refresh your carpet and remove any embedded stains. Make sure the carpet is completely dry before replacing any furniture and rugs.
September
Clean and store your gardening tools – As one of the 5 things in the garden that need cleaning, taking care of your garden tools will help them last longer. Secateurs and loppers will need cleaning carefully to remove residual debris – wire wool or a scourer works well for this and helps remove rust at the same time. A wire brush combined with an oily rag can deal with stubborn residue or toughened mud on items. WD-40 can prevent rust on metals too. Make sure tools are completely dry before you store them away.
Clean dishwasher – Even the dishwasher needs cleaning once in a while – in fact, you should be doing this every two months. Once empty, run a proprietary cleaning solution through the machine, such as Finish Dishwasher Machine Cleaner. For a household solution, you can alternatively add a cup of distilled white vinegar to the base of the machine - leave it upright to distribute gradually throughout the cycle. Then run your dishwasher as usual.
October
Deep clean tumble dryer – This appliance requires maintenance as well. Make sure you clear out the lint filter between uses and empty out the water tank as well (if you have one). While switched off, wipe down the control panel and around the door with a damp lint-free cloth - remember to leave the door open when not in use. That way, any remaining moisture can vent.
Clear gutters – Your gutters can get blocked in the winter time from leaf fall. Keep an eye on gutters and unblock them if necessary. You can do this yourself if you’re confident enough or call in a professional to handle the work. The best DIY method is to climb a sturdy ladder and clear the debris into a bucket while wearing gloves. Flush with water once you’re finished.
November
Switch your duvet – If you find yourself sweating at night, now’s a good time to switch over your winter duvet for a summer one. With a thinner design and a lower tog rating, it should help you stay cool at night while keeping things breathable.
Clear out the fridge and freezer – If there’s a time of year when you need space in your refrigerator, it’s Christmas. So, before the build-up to the big day, take a moment to clear food out of date food from your fridge and freezer. Make sure everything is visible (a lazy susan works well for jars of sauces and pastes) so nothing gets forgotten about.
December
Clean the oven – No one likes a dirty oven and it’s always a good idea to clean it before you start hosting and cooking over the holidays. You can do this using a branded oven cleaner – make sure you follow the directions carefully, use safety gloves, and make sure there is plenty of ventilation. Or you can try an eco-friendly solution by combining bicarbonate of soda and water to make a paste for use on the door; leave it for 20 minutes before wiping it away. The shelves can be soaked in a solution of biological washing detergent before scrubbing.
Adapted from: GHK
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