A well-maintained apartment or house is more comfortable to live in. This ultimate maintenance guide provides a comprehensive overview of all household chores with recommended frequencies.
The ultimate maintenance guide for apartments and houses: contents
- Daily tasks
- Weekly tasks
- Monthly tasks
- Annual tasks
- Larger maintenance tasks
Daily tasks
- Sweep your floors in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen and hallway.
- Clean up your clothes. Store your worn clothes in the closet or laundry basket.
- Ventilate your bed for a few hours every morning, but then make it.
- Clear out the dishwasher when it is finished. This way you make room and prevent foul odors.
- Empty your trash cans daily to avoid nasty odors and pests, especially the GFT. Separate your trash.
- Take care of your pets. Give them food, clean drinking water and clean any litter boxes to prevent odors. Go for a walk with your dog(s).
- Wash dishes and clean up the kitchen. Put all dirty dishes in the dishwasher immediately. Wipe down countertops, stove and dining table after use to remove food residue and grease.
- Take care of your plants. Water plants and check that they get enough light. Remove dead leaves and branches. Note: Some plants need water less often.
Weekly tasks
- Vacuum and mop all floors to remove dust and dirt.
- Clean your balcony. Remove leaves, dirt, dirty water and other debris.
- Clean kitchen appliances such as the microwave, oven and other kitchen appliances.
- Wipe the dust away from all places. Don’t forget tops of cabinets, baseboards and other hard-to-reach areas.
- Do laundry. Wash clothes, towels and bedding. Sort the laundry by color and material and observe the washing instructions.
- Clean your bathroom. Clean the sink, toilet, shower/bathtub and mirrors. Use a limescale remover to prevent limescale buildup.
- Change your bedding. Wash your sheets, pillowcases and comforter covers to maintain a fresh sleep environment and minimize the buildup of dust mites.
- Maintain common areas if you are part of an apartment complex. Keep the areas clean and tidy.
Monthly tasks
- Scrub bathroom tiles and grout to prevent mold and lime buildup.
- Wash the interior and exterior of your car. Read here 8 steps to thoroughly clean your car interior.
- Move furniture to clean underneath and behind it, so you also remove hidden dirt and dust.
- Cleaning ventilation systems: Clean vents and exhaust fans to remove dust and dirt.
- Deep clean the cooktop and oven: Clean the cooktop and oven thoroughly to remove burned-on food and grease residue.
- Wash your windows inside and out. Use a window squeegee and a soak of water with a little vinegar for streak-free windows.
- Clean drains. Pour boiling water down the drain to prevent clogs. If necessary, use a plunger or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to remove stubborn clogs and accumulations.
Annual tasks
- Lubricate your hinges.
- Check your radiators. Vent them if necessary.
- Test your smoke detectors and replace batteries if necessary.
- Wash your curtains and other window coverings to remove dust and allergens.
- Check drains and pipes for leaks or blockages and have them repaired if necessary.
- Replace filters of appliances that required it e.g. hood filters, coffee maker filters etc.
- Clean your refrigerator and freezer. Remove all food from the refrigerator and freezer, throw away expired products, and clean the shelves and drawers with soapy water. Defrost the freezer if it is full of ice.
- Have a professional sweep your chimney to prevent accumulation of soot. This is how you prevent fire hazards. Find out who is liable for fire in a rental apartment.
Larger maintenance tasks
- Inspect your roofing. Have it repaired if necessary.
- Replace carpet and other floor coverings as they wear out.
- Make sure the drainage system around your home is working properly to prevent flooding.
- Check your home’s insulation to see if it is still effective. Supplement or replace them if necessary.
- Paint or stain wooden window frames, doors, siding and other exterior wood. This is how you protect them from the weather.
- Prune large trees to maintain their shape and prevent them from growing too large or causing damage to your home.
- Have your home’s foundation checked for cracks or subsidence, especially if you notice doors or windows not closing properly.
- Maintain your facade. Depending on the type of facade (masonry, wood, etc.), you should clean, repoint or treat it to prevent wear and tear.
- Have your (solar) water heater, boiler, instantaneous water heater, air conditioner, solar panels, heat pump, electricity, plumbing, gas checked and inspected in a timely manner (read the manual) by a professional.
- Clean gutters and downspouts. Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts to prevent clogs and flooding. Do this especially after autumn. During this time, many leaves and branches fall.
- Repaint walls to freshen up your apartment or home. Read the 9 most common mistakes when painting here.
Would you like to cite this article as a source? Then use:
Stiasteny, L. (2024, Aug. 12). The ultimate maintenance guide for apartments and houses. Apartment.com. Accessed on (date XX/XX/202X), from https://www.appartement.be /ultimate-maintenance-guide-apartments-and-homes/ Related articles:
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