Home ownership and home maintenance are joined at the hip, so I am sure you are aware that there’s plenty of work you should be doing. Sorry to lengthen your list, but I thought you should know that there are a few more things that should be on it. Here are some important, but lesser known maintenance activities to save you money and reduce your exposure to mold & bacteria.
1. Wash your dryer lint screen
You know that your dryer lint screen gets gross. You are always scraping piles of lint, shredded tissues, and other weird substances off of it after every load. But it can get clogged in less obvious ways as well. The residue from dryer sheets and fabric softener can start to build up on the screen, blocking the airflow. That can lead to less efficient (more electricity use) drying and even fires. Soak it in hot water and dishwashing soap designed to remove grease and oil. Gently scrub it with a soft brush, rinse it, and let it air-dry before reinserting it into the dryer. It’s an easy task, but it’ll help extend the life of your dryer, reduce your energy bills, and keep your home safer.
2. Clean your refrigerator drip pan
You may not even know that your refrigerator has a drip pan. For that matter, I am sure you don’t know that it is a great place to grow mold. To ensure it doesn’t become a mold haven, the first thing you must do is find the drip pan. Remove the kick panel at the bottom of your fridge, and trace the defrost drain line to the pan, which is where it empties out. Having a flashlight handy will help you located it. Pull the pan out gently as it may be full of water and dump any excess liquid in the sink before cleaning with an all-purpose cleaner.
3. Reseal your grout
When your tile was installed, whether it’s floor tile, bathroom surround tile, or countertop tile, the grout was sealed to protect it. However, if you don’t reseal it every year, it will quickly begin to absorb bacteria while creating a great place for the bacteria to multiply. A grout sealer protects your grout so it’s waterproof to ensure bacteria can’t get to it. To reseal grout, apply some grout sealant and wipe off any excess that gets on tiles. After 15 minutes, you should apply a second coat. It is best to let it cure for 24 to 48 hours before exposing it to water.
4. Flush your water heater
You need to remove the water sitting in your water heater from time to time to remove any sediment that may collect there over time. Sediment causes corrosion, reduces efficiency (uses more electricity), and shortens your water heater’s life span. To flush it, you first must turn off the electricity or gas to the heater. Open a hot water tap in your house and let the hot water run for a few minutes to lower the temperature of the water in the tank. Then shut off the cold-water valve at the top of the tank and put a bucket under the water heater drain valve. Open the valve and drain the water until it runs clear, with no particles or sandy stuff. Be careful, because the water can come out hot! When the water is clear, put everything back the way it was, and you’re done. If all this sounds intimidating, remember YouTube can be your friend.