When you own a home or business, it seems like the list of things to do to maintain it grows constantly, and you never seem to have the time to get it all done. The list of preventative maintenance projects seems small when you look at each individually, but as they add up, it seems daunting. We’re breaking down the list and sharing a handful of things that should be done in February to make it easier for you to tackle that list and care for your home or office.
- Clean and vacuum curtains, window blinds, and ceiling fans. You don’t often use those things during the winter, and it’s easy for dust to settle and collect on them. Wrap microfiber cloths around tongs and pull them gently along your blinds to dust. Put your hand in a fuzzy sock that you’ve sprayed lightly with water to collect dust from the top of ceiling fans. Curtains can either be vacuumed with a handheld attachment or thrown in the washer. You’ll be amazed as you clean them how dirty they’ve gotten!
- Clean up mud, dirt, and other buildup on the front porch. Rain, that tiny single snow we got, and the wind that blew storms in over the winter also blew allergens and dirt onto your front porch. Sweep the porch and use a pressure washer to get the buildup off your porch to create a clean space for spring visitors.
- Check caulking and ground around sinks, showers, and tubs. When we see things every day, we don’t often notice subtle changes in them. Caulking can wear down over time, so check to make sure it is still forming a tight seal around your sinks showers, and tubs.
- Clean garbage disposal. Even when you run your garbage disposal regularly, it can still have gunk built up in it. Run it with crushed ice to sharpen the blades, then run it with baking soda and citrus peels to clean. Be sure all the peels are gone before you walk away.
- Organize your garage or storage unit. You likely put spring things and outside toys away during the winter to keep them in good shape. You’ll want to use your bikes and outside toys as the spring days give nice weather, so reorganize your garage or storage unit to make those spring items easily accessible but not in the way.
- Clean out your oven. 8% of home cooking fires are caused by dirty ovens or ranges, so make sure your oven is clean. Many ovens have a self-clean function, so you don’t have to do much to clean them. It takes several hours for the self-clean function, so be sure you don’t plan to leave the house when you turn it on.
- Check your fire extinguisher. From 2012 to 2016, cooking was the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths. You want to have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen in the event of a kitchen fire. Make sure your extinguisher has been inspected and is not expired and teach family members how to use it.
Give Butler Contractors a call for all your home and office preventative maintenance needs: (844)6BUTLER
