Unmaintained dishwashers naturally prove to be a breeding ground for germs because it’s a moist area. Also, food debris, soap scum, and grease can build up over time in dishwashers. This will reduce the efficiency of your appliance. Read more to see how to clean your dishwasher.

Tasks can be done by: Homeowner, appliance companies, or handyman

How To Clean Your Dishwasher | Task Steps

Step 1 – Clean Dishwasher

• Remove the bottom rack from the dishwasher. Your dishwasher should be empty while you’re cleaning.
• Inspect the drain for any blockages and remove any as you see them. Put the bottom rack back after you inspect the drain.
• Place a cup of white vinegar (in a dishwasher safe container) on the machine’s upper rack and run the dishwasher through a hot water cycle. This process will wash away grease and removes odor buildup in the dishwasher.
• Once the first hot water cycle is done, take the cup out and sprinkle one cup of baking soda across the dishwasher’s bottom.
• Next, run a short, hot water cycle. This will ensure that your interior will be stain-free and fresh smelling.
  • Supply List & Costs: White vinegar and baking soda

Want to know more useful information such as this?

Sign up with us at HomeManager!

Also, check out the easy maintenance for other small appliances – How To Clean Your Small Appliances!

If your trash compactor goes too long without a good cleaning, odors may gradually accumulate.

Tasks can be done by: Homeowner, cleaning company, or handyman

Task Steps

Step 1 – Clean Trash Compactor

• First, unplug the trash compactor for safety reasons. Make sure to take out the trash bag as well, so it’s not in the way.
• Use your choice of commercial disinfectant to clean the inside and outside of the compactor, then let those chemicals sit on the wall for a few minutes.
• Wipe off everything and let your compactor fully dry because moist places are perfect for bacteria growth, which is unhealthy.
• After the compactor is completely dry, replace the trash bag, and it should be fine until the next cleaning.
  • Supply List & Costs: commercial disinfectant, damp rag, new trash bags

Want to know more useful information such as this?

Sign up with us at HomeManager!

Also, check out the easy maintenance for other small appliances – How To Clean Your Small Appliances!

It’s essential to clean your grill when you use it frequently because grease backup can become a huge fire hazard. Continue reading to learn how to clean your barbecue grill.

Tasks can be done by: Homeowner, cleaning company, or handyman

How To Clean Your Barbecue Grill | Task Steps

Step 1 – Clean BBQ

• Disconnect the propane tank.
• Remove grill grates and let them soak in soapy, hot water.
• Loosely cover the heating elements with a big piece of foil to protect them.
• With the grill brush, scrub the underside of the hood. Now use the grill brush to clean the inside of your grill walls.
• Take the grates out and lean them against a wall outside.
• Use your grill brush to scrub the grates thoroughly, then use a hose to rinse them off.
• Replace the grates once they have dried, then give the outside of your grill a good cleaning with hot, soapy water.
  • Tool List: grill brush and a hose
  • Supply List & Costs: soapy water and tinfoil

Have a great Summer by keeping your barbecue grills in tip top shape!

Want to know more useful information such as this?

Sign up with us at HomeManager!

Also, check out the easy maintenance for other small appliances – How To Clean Your Small Appliances!

Regular maintenance on small appliances can guarantee the extension of the lifespan of the product. This is how to clean your small appliances!

This is a Safety Task!

Many small appliances can quickly become a fire hazard if they are not properly maintained.

This is a Health Task!

Smaller appliances that are frequently used to prepare food can get caked up with unwanted bacteria.

This is a Preventative Maintenance Task!

Small appliances are often prematurely replaced when all they may require is a good cleaning or need to have filters replaced.

Tasks can be done by: Homeowner, cleaning company, or handyman

Choose what appliances apply to you! Learn how to clean your small appliances:

How To Clean Your Humidifier

How To Clean Your Dehumidifier

How To Clean Your Coffee Machine

How To Clean Your Toaster & Crumb Tray

How To Clean Your Microwave

How To Deep Clean Your Vacuum

Hopefully, this information can help you clean your small appliances and keep them in tip-top shape! Maintenance is important, whether it’s small appliances or big appliances. Above all, most homeowners don’t enjoy replacing their appliances every year because they up and break.

Want to know more useful information such as this?

Sign up with us at HomeManager!

Many homeowners go through several different vacuums over the years. A good deep cleaning can increase a vacuum’s life and prevent the unnecessary cost of prematurely buying a new one.

Tasks can be done by: Homeowner, cleaning company, or handyman

How To Deep Clean Your Vacuum | Task Steps

Step 1 – Inspect Vacuum

• Inspect your vacuum by reviewing the owner’s manual and familiarizing yourself with the vacuum’s various parts.
• Break down your vacuum by taking apart all the easily removable parts. You want these parts to be either washable or replaceable. Check the owner’s manual for which parts are washable.

Step 2 – Clean Vacuum

• Fill an empty sink with hot, soapy water and submerge the washable parts.
• All the parts that aren’t washable should be wiped clean with a cloth. Allow all the parts you washed to dry before placing them back in the vacuum.
• Take the vacuum outside to use the can of compressed air because it will generate a lot of dust. You want to get all the dust out of cracks and crevasses that are hard to reach.
• Now take a screwdriver and unscrew the bottom compartment and remove the rotating floor brush to clean it. Use scissors to cut around all the tangled hair to free up the bristles.
• Also, check the vacuum drive belts because they can wear over time. If there are tears, cuts, or stressed areas, they should be replaced. Replacements can often be found online.
• Check the air passageway behind the floor brush for clogs and remove any obstructions.
• Lastly, change or clean the filter before reassembling the vacuum.
  • Tool List: screwdriver, scissors
  • Supply List & Costs: cleaning cloth – damp/wet, compressed air can, dish soap

Want to know more useful information such as this?

Sign up with us at HomeManager!

Also, check out the easy maintenance for other small appliances – How To Clean Your Small Appliances!

A microwave should not look like a food war just went on inside of it. Food gunk buildup prevents it from working efficiently and will eventually result in having to replace it.

Tasks can be done by: Homeowner, cleaning company, or handyman

How To Clean Your Microwave | Task Steps

Step 1 – Inspect Microwave

• Inspect the inside of the microwave to determine what needs to be cleaned. Most removable parts in the microwave are dishwasher safe.

Step 2 – Clean Microwave

• Make sure to use a microwave-safe bowl.
• Place the bowl filled with water and a couple tablespoons of vinegar inside the appliance.
• Microwave that bowl on high until the window begins to get foggy, then let the bowl sit for 10 minutes until it has cooled.
• Use a sponge to wipe out the inside of the microwave. If the unit’s window is greasy, clean it with a mixture of half vinegar and half water, then let it dry.
• Lastly, wipe down the outside of the microwave with a damp cloth.
  • Tool List: Microwave safe bowl
  • Supply List & Costs: water, vinegar – white, sponge, damp cleaning cloth

Want to know more useful information such as this?

Sign up with us at HomeManager!

Also, check out the easy maintenance for other small appliances – How To Clean Your Small Appliances!

Allowing crumbs to accumulate in the toaster becomes a fire hazard over time. You want to prevent having to prematurely purchase a new toaster by properly maintaining it.

Tasks can be done by: Homeowner, cleaning company, or handyman

How To Clean Your Toaster & Crumb Tray | Task Steps

Step 1 – Inspect Toaster

• Make sure the toaster is unplugged before beginning the cleaning process.

Step 2 – Clean Toaster

• Clean the toaster over a sink, trashcan, or newspaper-covered table.
• Pop-out the crumb tray and shake off all the loose crumbs. If your toaster doesn’t have a crumb tray, simply turn the toaster, and shake it.
• If the tray has crumbs stuck on it, wash it with warm, soapy water until clean.
• Use a small dry pastry or basting brush to get into the hard-to-reach corners of the toaster.
• Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth and gentle soap if necessary.
• Lastly, pop the crumb tray back into place.
  • Tool List: brush – basting/pastry
  • Supply List & Costs: Old newspaper, soapy water (dish soap), damp cleaning cloth

Want to know more useful information such as this?

Sign up with us at HomeManager!

Also, check out the easy maintenance for other small appliances – How To Clean Your Small Appliances!

A coffeemaker is a perfect place for mold and bacteria to fester because it is constantly moist. If you do proper maintenance, you will avoid the expense of purchasing another. Do you know how to clean your coffee machine?

Tasks can be done by: Homeowner, cleaning company, or handyman

How To Clean Your Coffee Machine | Task Steps

Step 1 – Inspect Coffee Machine

• Check the coffeemaker’s water chamber and make sure it is empty.

Step 2 – Clean Coffee Machine

• Fill the water chamber with half white vinegar and half water.
• Using a paper filter, allow the mixture to brew until the chamber is half empty.
• Turn the coffeemaker off and let it sit for 20 minutes, then finish the rest of the brewing.
• Rinse your machine by using a new paper filter to brew a pot of clear water. Do this twice.
• Now empty the pot and refill it with warm, sudsy water and some rice as a gentle abrasive. Swirl this mixture in the pot, then use a sponge to remove any gunk.
• Lastly, rinse and dry completely and use a damp cloth to wipe the outside of the machine to remove any excess gunk or stains.
  • Supply List & Costs: White vinegar, paper filter, rice, sponge, damp cloth

Want to know more useful information such as this?

Sign up with us at HomeManager!

Also, check out the easy maintenance for other small appliances – How To Clean Your Small Appliances!

It’s so easy to forget to replace in-line water filters! Inline water filters can be attached to your water supply. These water filters help remove contaminants from your drinking water, so it can be important to maintain routine maintenance and replace the filters.

This is a Safety Task!

It’s important to ensure that your water filters are clean and working because you don’t want contaminants infecting your household.  If you don’t change your filters regularly, there is no point in having a water filter because your water will still become contaminated.

This is a Preventative Maintenance Task!

Your spigot aerators and shower heads can deteriorate and clog up over time due to sediment buildup. Also, your water will flow better once they are cleaned, preventing pressure build-up that can damage valves.  Damaged valves can burst and cause water damage to drywall and wood areas.

This is an Energy Efficiency Task!

If sediment gets into valves or toilet tank valves, it can prevent the valves from sealing or shutting properly, resulting in wasteful water leakage and higher water and sewer fees.

Tasks can be done by: Homeowner, Handyman, or Plumber

Replace In-line Water Filters | Task Steps

Step 1 – Inspect & Replace Filters

• Always reference the owner’s manual for your specific device before doing any maintenance to ensure you’re following exactly what they recommend
• To change your water filter, you will need to turn off your water supply and unscrew the housing from the cap
• Now remove and discard the dirty filter and replace it with a new filter. Make sure you put the filter in correct side up
• Finally, screw the housing back onto the cap. then turn the water supply back on
• If you’re dealing with pesky clogged drains, follow these steps. First, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the clogged drain
• Second, pour 2 cups of boiling water down the drain and wait a few minutes
• Third, plug the drain, add 1 cup of baking soda plus 1 cup of the white vinegar, and let sit. There will be a chemical reaction in your drain, and it should start bubbling up
• Finally, after you can see the bubbling die down, pour your final cup of boiling water down the drain. This step is an eco-friendly alternative to using drain cleaner, and if you have a septic tank it will not damage the bacteria that helps your septic field operate properly

Want to know more useful information such as this?

Sign up with us at HomeManager!

Also, take a look at another interesting article: Inspect and test all GFCI outlets!

Doing routine maintenance on your fridge or freezer can help extend its overall lifespan. If you have pets in the household, their hair can quickly cover the condenser coils. This can lead to your appliances needing to use more energy to work efficiently, which will can mean you’re paying an extra $7 a month on your energy bill (per each individual freezer and fridge).

This is a Safety Task!

Make sure that when moving the refrigerator, you keep the electric cord from being pinched between the floor and the refrigerator. Vibration from the refrigerator can cause the cord to fray, exposing wires that can arc and cause a fire.

This is a Health Task!

What you don’t see in your refrigerator could be contaminating your food and making you sick. Dirty fridges can act as a breeding ground for harmful bacteria such as salmonella, listeria, and E. coli. Proper cleaning should be performed regularly to avoid bacterial growth. Expired foods can grow bacteria in your fridge, so remove all expired food products.

This is a Preventative Maintenance Task!

Cleaning your refrigerator properly can increase its useful life by 40% or longer.

This is an Energy Efficiency!

Cleaning your condenser coils can also mean your freezer and refrigerator will work more efficiently, saving you up to $7 per month per unit on electricity.

Tasks can be done by: Homeowner, Handyman, or Cleaning Company

Task Steps

Step 1 – Inspect Freezer

• Go through and remove anything that is out of date. You can choose to dispose of out-of-date food however you see fit.
• Having removed all the disposable items, take out everything else and put it in coolers or cover it with blankets to keep from defrosting.
• Unplug the unit. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water to make a paste
• Use a rag to disperse the paste on all sides of the freezer. This will clean and deodorize it.
• Finally, make sure the freezer is immaculate and dry before returning any food to it.
• Make sure your unit is still unplugged, locate the freezer grille, open it, and find your condenser coils. Note only some units have coils you can reach. Otherwise, the coils are located within the freezer walls. At that point, just make sure to reference your owner’s manual for the specific unit.
• If you locate your freezer grills, grab a brush and lightly scrub the coils while also using a vacuum to clean up the excess dirt and dust that you’re scrubbing off.
• Clean your freezer fan the same way you did the condenser coils but be careful not to bend them
• Make sure you plug the unit back in.

Step 2 – Inspect Fridge

• Go through and remove anything that is out of date. You can choose to dispose of out-of-date food however you see fit.
• Having removed all the disposable items, take out everything else, put it in coolers, or cover it with blankets to keep everything still good.
• Unplug the unit—mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water to make a paste.
• Use a rag to disperse the paste on all sides of the fridge. This will clean and deodorize it.
• Finally, make sure the fridge is immaculate and dry before returning any food to it.
• After you’re finished cleaning out the refrigerator, change the water filter (if applicable)
• Now locate the fridge grille, open it, and find your condenser coils
• Grab a brush and lightly scrub the coils while also using a vacuum to clean up the excess dirt and dust that you’re scrubbing off.
• Clean your refrigerator fan the same way you did the condenser coils but be careful not to bend them
• Make sure you plug the unit back in.

Want to know more useful information such as this?

Sign up with us at HomeManager!

Also, check out another interesting article- How to properly test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors!

Your home is one of the most significant investments you’ll ever make in your lifetime. This is why you’ll do whatever you can to make sure that it lasts for many years. However, ignoring the simple broken parts of your home while it is still easily fixable can cost you more expenses and inconvenience when it causes bigger emergencies later on.

To make sure your home is always in good condition, you must invest in proactive home maintenance and repair. Taking immediate action on various home problems will avoid massive damages in the future! You might also want to check your home systems and materials to see if you can spot these common emergency home repairs:

• Busted pipes
• Roof leaks
• Clogged toilet
• Broken windows
• Cracks in the foundation

Now that you know the common emergencies that can happen in your home, here are five effective house maintenance tips for your consideration: 

1. Keep a list of trusted professionals in your locality

Search for home repair companies near you that have good reviews or ask friends in the neighborhood for contacts of their trusted professionals. Then, list as many recommendations as you can get and trim it down by comparing the pros and cons of each service. You may even refer to the photos in the review section so that you can check them out yourself. 

2. Establish an emergency fund for home maintenance

Emergency funds are a must, especially if you have a family. Since it is about safety in the home you are living in, it is best to keep at least a small amount from every paycheck that will be dedicated to home repairs. Remember—small problems can result in bigger ones when not given proper attention, and having an emergency fund will surely go a long way!

3. Discuss your home insurance policy with your agent

If you invested in home insurance, make sure you completely understand what is included and excluded in your policy. If you’re unsure, call your agent and discuss it with them. Understanding your home insurance allows you to make extra preparations for any emergencies that may not be covered by it. 

4. Do a regular home inspection and maintenance

Schedule household maintenance times when you should walk through your home and inspect every part of it that might need some fixing. Be sure that you are doing this consistently so that you can easily spot the things that need to be prioritized before it even gets worse. If you are not sure what to look for or often forget to schedule a time, you can always ask for professional help. 

At HomeManager, we offer the best app for house maintenance and give you reminders on what to do. When you become a member, you can even keep track of your home expenses or get help any time you need it!.

5. Conduct a general cleaning once in a while

Cleanliness is the simplest home maintenance tip. Some parts or systems at home can be easily broken by just getting covered with dirt. As such, you must conduct a general cleaning at least once a month to keep the dirt from getting stuck in your home equipment. Also, do this as the weather requires. Pipes, for example, can burst if the water inside them freezes. 

Conclusion

Following the simple tips that we’ve shared above can save you a lot of time and hassle of fixing broken things at home. From keeping a list of trusted professionals in your locality and conducting a general cleaning once in a while, you can rest assured that your home will stay strong for many years. Yet, these tasks can possibly be neglected when you have to manage other responsibilities. 

HomeManager allows you to take complete ownership of your home by alerting you what part of your home needs to be fixed and when it should be given attention. If you are looking for the best home maintenance app, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!

Everyone wants to live in a clean and well-maintained home, especially in a season when we’re spending more time than ever indoors. Hygiene is of utmost importance this year, and it goes beyond the dust bunnies. We want clean, sanitized homes where germs don’t reside.

However, when it comes to home maintenance, there are quite a few tasks that go unspoken or just generally forgotten about. Since they only need to be done on a biannual basis at most, it’s easy to put them off to another day. It can be hard to keep tabs on what you should be tending to.

Here are a couple of duties that you may not have included in your list:

1) Cleaning The Gutters

Having a gutter system is important when your home is located in an area that gets a lot of rain. It helps to collect the water from the roof and streamlining it down and away from the house to protect the property’s foundation. However, aside from water, dirt and leaves, rocks, and many more can build up in the gutters. You’ll need to have them cleared out at least twice a year to keep the system and your roof in best condition!

2) Checking The Roof

While you’re cleaning the gutters, don’t forget to check the roof. This part of your home is often susceptible to a lot of cracks because it bears the brunt of what your house is going through, be it heavy rain or a snowstorm. Check the roof a couple of times for any damage, mold growth, or missing shingles. You can better maintain the structural integrity of your home if you attend to the problems immediately.

3) Resetting The Water Heater

Unbeknownst to a lot of people, the water heater should be reset annually by flushing it out. It can be a pain to deal with a faulty heat source, and letting debris collect inside the tank will make it even harder to fix up in the future. Save yourself the trouble by making the reminder.

4) Dusting Out The Dryer Vent Pipes

These vent ducts help remove any vapor in the home, but it’s prone to getting lint stuck in there. Instead of letting it build up and create the potential for a house fire, try not to forget to clean it next time. You also get to check for bugs that might be lurking in the pipes too!

5) Clearing The Weep Holes

This chore goes unspoken primarily because no one knows what weep holes are. They’re located by the bottom of a window and are used to drain out water from the windowsill and frame. Unclog them of any dirt by using a small metal clip.

6) Tidying The Fridge’s Coil Area

Most appliances go unwritten in the list of things to do for home maintenance, even though you use them every day. Not a period goes by where the refrigerator isn’t open. Do it a favor by checking the coils and removing the dust from them. 

7) Running A Cleaning Cycle With The Dishwasher

The dishwasher helps to get you fresh and clean dishes, but many seem to forget how exactly they should be maintaining it. If you use your dishwasher every day, aim to run a cleaning cycle monthly. Just add some vinegar and run a hot dishwasher cycle. You’d be surprised at the difference it can make!

8) Scrubbing Your Cleaning Tools

Even if certain tools like your broom, duster, vacuum are used for cleaning, this doesn’t mean they’re immune to getting dirty and dusty too. Be sure to give the proper care and maintenance to your tools every couple of weeks to lengthen their lifespan. 

Conclusion

Carrying out these tasks is vitally important to maintaining a functioning home. Proper maintenance can also save you a lot of dollars from any potential repairs, meaning that keeping up with them is more than cleanliness—it’s also safety and smart money management! 

We understand that busy homeowners don’t have the time to remember every single detail of home maintenance. That’s why we’re making it easier with HomeManager! Our app to manage household chores was developed in Livingston, Montana, and it’s perfect for reminding you every month about what you need to do to maintain your home. It’ll even tell you how much you’ll save by DIY-ing it. Sign up today!

How often do you clean your home? Do you set aside a few hours every week, every month, or every other month? Also, what is the extent of your cleaning? Do you happen to clean only the first floor of your home, and then decide to do the other floor on the next set schedule? Furthermore, do you clean all by yourself, or do you have your other family members do the other parts of the house for you? Are you well-equipped with all the proper cleaning tools?

These questions may seem simple and trivial at first glance—but if you happen to give vague answers to the majority of the questions above, then you may be overlooking a few important pointers in effectively cleaning your home! 

You see, cleaning isn’t just something that you could do carelessly and leave off for a few months. Over time, dust would accumulate within the crevices again—and if you weren’t able to wipe them off during your past cleaning sessions, they might come back to haunt you and the other inhabitants of your home by causing allergic reactions or even bacterial infections.

“How do I clean my home efficiently?”

Right from the start, we have to mention that you’re going to need help—home maintenance isn’t easy, after all. If you happen to live all by yourself, ask some friends to come by during a weekend to give you a hand! It’ll save you a lot of time, and you’ll be able to hang out with them right after. If you happen to live with your family, then feel free to delegate and lead the cleaning session.

To efficiently go through the process, here are some tips you must keep in mind:

1. Prepare the necessary cleaning tools and supplies

Ready your broom, your mop, your brush, your vacuum cleaner, your feather duster, a bottle of bleach, and whatever else you need to clean up your home. Missing even one of these would interrupt the flow and momentum of your cleaning session, thus, wasting precious time. A task that would only take an hour would extend into two or three hours, with the added time being allotted in trying to find the missing cleaning supplies!

2. Organize and discuss the flow and progression of your cleaning session

Assign each of your ‘helping hands’ into the other sections of the house. Divide and conquer to cover more ground in less time! Discuss the room assignments accordingly, and once you’re finished with your task, feel free to help out the others who aren’t done yet.

3. Don’t just wipe off dust—disinfect surfaces as much as possible

This is such timely advice, given the pandemic. 

You may apply bleach or other cleaning solutions to your surfaces; just make sure to read the labels, as some cleaning solutions aren’t applicable to be applied on wood and metals!

4. Brush off the crevices and other usually unreachable surfaces

If you can’t reach it, get an adjustable brush handle or vacuum nozzle, or have a mini ladder nearby. Leave no stone unturned; clean out every tight and unreachable spot. Remember, just because they’re unreachable doesn’t mean that the dust accumulated in them wouldn’t affect you on an average day.

5. After the cleaning session, never forget to clean your tools

You’ll be using them again in a month or two. Dust off your brush and vacuum nozzle, wash your dirty cloth, and squeeze the residue off of your mop. Take care of your cleaning tools, and they’ll take care of you as well!

The Bottom Line

Maintaining your home and its overall cleanliness is not an easy task. You always have the option to ask for help, so never hesitate to reach out to those closest to you. Of course, preparations should be made so that you wouldn’t skip or overlook any part of your home. Ready your tools and supplies and take the lead in making sure that your home would be spotless by the end of each cleaning session.

If you need any help and additional advice with your home cleaning efforts in Montana, then we at HomeManager are your top choice! We will show you how to keep track of home maintenance in easy-to-follow steps. Our online videos and professionals are ready to give you a hand. Get in touch with us today to find out more!