Most people think of spring cleaning but I would like to give my home a thorough cleaning not just once a year but twice. What are some things I should be doing?
Here are some home refreshers that can be done anytime of the year, advises Carla Haley Hadley, a Miller County extension agent in the Family & Consumer Sciences division of the University of Arkansas Division of Agricultural Research Extension.
• Replace air filters
Regularly replacing air filters is important for the home's upkeep and residents' health. Dirty filters can affect the quality of the air inside the home as well as the air conditioning and heating units' performance.
"Make a note on your calendar and check your filters monthly to ensure air flow is not restricted, and replace filters as recommended by the manufacturer," Hadley advises. "Think about buying filters that cost a little more than the economical ones. They will clean the air in your home better. Dirty filters reduce the efficiency of the furnace or heating system and increase your energy bill."
• Trim shrubs around air conditioner
"Unruly leaves and branches can block your air conditioner unit's airflow so you want to get those trimmed and cleaned up," Hadley says. "If the leaves and branches block warm discharge air where it can't escape, then the temperature of the intake air rises and the air conditioner won't operate as efficiently."
• Check HVAC units
"It is important to have the heating system serviced by a professional each year to ensure efficient operation," Hadley says. "An efficiently running HVAC unit means more money in your pocket and who doesn't need that?"
• Remove mineral deposits from shower heads
The buildup of excess minerals around your shower head can cause water discoloration and block the flow of water into your shower. This adds minutes to your shower time.
"Be sure the water is flowing freely from your shower head," Hadley says. "There is no need for harsh chemicals. Reach for the white distilled vinegar
instead. Just make sure you check with the manufacturer of the shower head first to make sure it will not harm the finish."
• Clean blinds
"If the blinds are made of materials heavy enough, take them down and outside to hose off with the garden hose," Hadley says. "If they are wooden, a damp cloth or vacuum attachment should do the trick."
• Refresh refrigerator
"To keep the foods safe, store the foods in a cooler with ice while you clean," Hadley says, adding that all foods past their "use-by" dates should be discarded. "Unplug the refrigerator and vacuum with an attachment to remove dust underneath the refrigerator; keeping the coil free of dust will save electricity.
"Next, remove the shelves and bins and wash them in warm water and detergent in the sink and dry and wipe down the door and door handle, using warm, soapy water," Hadley says. "After returning the clean shelves and bins back to the refrigerator, plug the unit back in and refill with the foods stored in the cooler."
• Clean dishwasher
"Start by taking out the dishwasher's filter and soak it in soapy water for about 10 minutes," Hadley says. "If you are not sure where the filter is, find your product guide online. Once the filter has been replaced, toss one cup of white vinegar on the bottom of the dishwasher and use the heavy cleaning cycle. When the cycle has run, sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher. Let it set overnight, then run another heavy cleaning cycle in the morning. When it's done, the dishwasher should smell like new again."
• Take the time to do a quick inspection of your property, making sure fences are secure, the irrigation system is working efficiently, shrubs and bushes are trimmed, and any patio surface is in good condition.
Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We'll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark., 72203 or email:
lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
HomeStyle on 11/22/2014