When we look around our home for stuff that needs doing, we tend to stick to what we can see. So we clean the mess, we fix the cracks that we’re scared our visitors will call us out on, and we repaint and wipe down those things that need a bit of TLC. We don’t give a think to the things that we can’t see – until things start to go wrong.
Bathroom
It’s a good thing to take a look around your bathroom and see what really needs a good looking-at. Faucets may need tightening, a quick reseal may need to be done and, although gross, take a look at the plug hole – there may be more gunk hanging around it than you initially think. If you have long hair or live with someone who does, it’s a good idea to have a hair catcher hanging over the plug hole so that you don’t block the drains. Hair is the biggest cause of blocked drains that plumbers come across. Simply getting them all out each time you think about it can be prevention in itself.
Outside
Not taking care of the paving outside of your home may not just start to look bad, but it can also be a safety hazard, too. Many gardens come equipped with beautiful patios that people have spent a small fortune on, but a mixture of both damp and humid weather over the years can cause algae to grow upon it which makes the surface extremely slippery. Get hold of a power washer or a stiff-bristled yard brush and give it once-over at least every three months to crack through the buildup.
Utilities
The things that do our jobs for us are seldom checked to make sure that they can keep doing them. Washing machines should be put on a hot wash with a sterilising detergent every month, and both the drum and detergent drawers wiped down thoroughly every couple of weeks. If you take the detergent drawer out fully, you may notice a buildup of what you’ve been using to wash your clothes tinged with mould – this is normal, but preventable and needs to be wiped down. Spray mould and mildew remover onto it, let it soak it in for a couple of minutes and then dunk it into a bowl of hot, soapy water to remove every trace.
Kitchen
When cleaning our kitchens we tend to wipe down a lot of surfaces, but very rarely do we pay attention to what we have just wiped. Check for cracks on the counters; these may be slight, but they could be harbouring a lot of bacteria that’s being forced in every time you wipe. Clear sealant can help to protect them, as can using a worktop saver each time you get out a knife or sharp tool in the kitchen. There are a lot of illnesses that can be attributed to this room in the house, and ensuring that you take a care of duty whilst cleaning can prevent them.