10. Digitally Declutter
Physical clutter is more obvious; the pile of junk mail on the coffee table is hard to miss. Digital clutter is easier to ignore, but it is just as important to organize.
“During the last week of the month, empty your phone pictures (and your regular digital camera) onto your laptop or computer,” says Giaquinto. “Organize them into folders, so you’re not overwhelmed with endless photos.”
11. Evaluate Your Finances
“Take a bird’s eye view of your finances to see where you spent your money, how well you budgeted, and how well you saved,” Giaquinto says.
| Benefit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Prevents overspending | It is very easy to spend without purpose |
| Reduces stress | Knowing where your money went does wonders for your stress level |
| Supports future planning | Monthly financial planning helps you stick to a home renovation budget when the time comes |
12. Inspect Sinks and Tub Drains
“If you notice that your sinks or tubs are not draining as quickly, there may be a buildup causing a blockage,” says Kyle Gesuelli, a home improvement expert at handy.com.
How to Clear Drains
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Try to remove anything obstructing the pipe manually using a pipe cleaner |
| 2 | Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain |
| 3 | Follow with hot water |
This should clear things out before the clog becomes a problem. Unclog kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, bathtubs, and any other drains before the clog becomes a problem.
13. Clean the Garbage Disposal
“The best way to clean out your garbage disposal is with baking soda and white vinegar,” says Gesuelli.
Step-by-Step Disposal Cleaning
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Put ½ cup baking soda and 1 cup white vinegar down the sink |
| 2 | After a few minutes, pour boiling hot water down |
| 3 | Fill the drain with ice cubes and add 1 cup of salt (removes debris) |
| 4 | Add lemon halves to the disposal |
| 5 | Keep both the water running and the garbage disposal on |
The lemon halves leave your kitchen with a refreshing scent.
14. Clean Your Range Hood Filters
“The purpose of the range hood filter is to collect grease, so over time, it will become less effective as the grease builds up,” Gesuelli says.
How to Clean Range Hood Filters
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Remove filters |
| 2 | Place in a sink filled with hot water, dishwashing liquid, and baking soda |
| 3 | Leave to soak for 10 to 15 minutes |
| 4 | If needed, scrub remaining grease off with a brush |
| 5 | Rinse clean |
| 6 | Dry with a paper towel before replacing |
15. Keep a Monthly Home Maintenance Calendar
“Staying on top of all the preventative maintenance tasks throughout each month of the year is important to reduce energy costs, avoid early replacement costs, and keep the home healthy and safe for the family,” says Bodrozic.
| Tool | Benefit |
|---|---|
| HomeZada app | Creates these tasks and many others automatically for homeowners |
| Paper calendar | Simple visual reminder |
| Digital calendar | Set recurring monthly alerts |
Remember your yearly home maintenance, too. It can be helpful to break it up by season for spring, summer, fall, and winter home maintenance tasks.
