Daylight savings time. Also known as the ultimate frustration to parents and kids whose sleep schedules rely on consistency. But daylight savings time isn’t all bad. We get an extra hour of sunshine at the end of the day giving the whole family extra time to enjoy the great outdoors. Additionally, daylight savings time is a great reminder to check up on some of those chores you’ve been neglecting for the past few months.
We all know that when daylights savings time comes around, it’s time to adjust our clocks and “spring” one hour forward. But switching the clocks isn’t the only thing you should have on your schedule. Check out this list of quick and easy home maintenance tasks you can get done around the house every six months or so.
Change the Batteries
Daylight savings is a great reminder that it’s time to check and change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. This simple, yet vital, home safety equipment can easily get forgotten from day to day. Since you’re already wandering around the house to find all the clocks that you need to change, take this time to also check that each of your alarms and detectors are working properly and change out batteries as needed. Pro tip: If you haven’t changed the batteries in your smoke alarms or detectors in over two years, even if the test button works, consider changing the batteries. Better safe than sorry!
Wash the Windows
Another chore that tends to get ignored is exterior window washing. It’s not that window washing is difficult, in fact on the scale of chore difficulty, window washing is pretty low on the list. However, it tends to be more of a hassle than anything. But if you get yourself a strong window cleaning solution – even a homemade one of vinegar and water will work – a large squeegee and a few paper towels, you’ll be done with the windows in no time flat. And if you have extra time, go ahead and shine up the inside windows as well. You’ll certainly appreciate all the natural light floods your home as the days get longer.
Clean Behind Appliances
We’ve all been there. You’re cleaning the kitchen and start chasing a dust bunny under the fridge or stove only to discover an entire colony of dust bunnies taking up shelter underneath your appliances. Use daylight savings time as an easy reminder to cut through the dust and clean behind, underneath and inside all of your major appliances. This can help reduce the amount of dust and debris not only in your kitchen but throughout your entire home. And don’t forget to clean underneath your washer and dryer in the laundry room.
Change out Filters
Can you even remember the last time you changed the filters in your furnace or forced air system? If not, then it’s definitely time to change them. Just think, every time your furnace turns on, it pulls air into the ducts and blows it back out into your bedroom, living room and throughout the entire house. Filters help to catch excess dust, allergens, pollutants (chemical and environmental) and other particles that are floating around in your home. It’s recommended that you change home air filters approximately every six months. However, if you have pets or a larger family, it’s recommended that you change filters even more frequently. As a bonus, high-quality filters help reduce the amount of dust you’ll find on your shelves and countertops the next time you go to wipe down your surfaces.
Get the Ducts Cleaned
Speaking of ducts, when was the last time you had the air ducts cleaned? Again, this is one of those things that you don’t think about because you don’t see the insides of your air ducts on a regular basis. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need a little love. Now, this is a task that only needs to be done every 2-6 years but performing this task around daylight savings time is a great way to remember the last time you cleaned them. You can easily use your home vacuum for quick cleans or call a company to do a thorough cleaning of the air ducts. In most cases, a lot of companies will multitask and help you with ducts, filters and carpet cleaning. Win, win, win!
Deep Clean Your Carpets
As mentioned above, another way to help extend the life of your air filters, keep air ducts clean and improve the air quality of your home is to regularly get your carpets deep cleaned. This is something you can have a professional do, or you can rent/buy a steam cleaner and do the work yourself. Steam cleaning your carpets can help reduce allergens, improve indoor air quality, and extend the life of your carpet by cleaning the fibers and removing dirt from deep down. And who doesn’t like fresh, clean, soft carpets?
Clean Out Those Closets
Now’s also a great time to get rid of extra clothing, shoes, bedding, and towels that you no longer use. Whether it’s that jacket that doesn’t fit or those sheets that haven’t moved from the closet shelf in years, grab a box and clean out the clutter. Lastly – don’t just put the stuff in a box and then leave it in your garage or basement. Either take it to a donation location or have them come to you. The goal is to organize and declutter, not just shift the clutter from your closets to your garage.
These are just a few of the easy ways to take advantage of daylight savings time. Additionally, if you feel like this list is a bit ambitious for just one weekend – spread it out over a few weekends. Or do half of this list in the spring, and the other half in the fall. We get to change our clocks twice a year – why not take advantage of both opportunities?
Looking to participate in more activities as we dive headfirst into spring and summer? Check out the Copperleaf HOA event calendar for details on upcoming community events!