This list are from the collection of Kathryn (KJCdowns). Thank you Kathryn! TOP TEN MOST EFFECTIVE HOUSEHOLD HINTS 1. Eliminate mold and mildew from around bathtub caulking: Put on rubber gloves. Open windows and ventilate the area. Saturate paper towels with bleach. Mold moistened paper towels on top of mold and mildew in caulking. Leave it alone for a half hour or more. Remove paper towels. Caulking should be white; mold and mildew should be gone! 2. Remove soap scum from shower doors quickly and easily. Wipe with a used dryer sheet such as Bounce. For maximum effectiveness, shower doors and dryer sheet should be dry. Scum comes right off with little effort on your part! 3. Clean bathroom mirrors and leave them streak free. Mix ammonia and water in a squirt bottle. Squirt the mixture onto mirrors. Wipe clean with newspaper. The newsprint will not come off on the mirror and it will leave mirrors streak free! 4. Vacuum linoleum, tile, and hardwood floors. Scrub them less often. 5. Keep kitchen sponges fresh and germ free. Microwave them for one minute or put them in the top rack of the dishwasher when you run it. 6. Clean stuck on food out of microwaves more easily. Microwave a cup of soapy water (in a microwave safe cup) for two minutes. Remove cup and wipe clean. 7. Clean blenders and food processors quickly and easily. Fill with water and a dab of dishwashing liquid. Replace lid and activate on low setting. Let the soap and water blend for a couple of minutes. Turn off. Pour out soapy water. Rinse well and let air dry! (Note: Do NOT fill blender or food processor all the way to the TOP. Fill about 3/4 full) 8. Vacuum baseboards clean. The long, thin vacuum attachment works the best for this kind of job! 9. Vacuum blinds clean. Use the vacuum attachment with the brush for best results. 10. Keep paper clutter to a minimum. Purchase a file cabinet. Create files for all of your more common documents such as "Bills to Pay" "Auto Insurance" "Investment Statements" "Bank Statements" "Tax Returns" and "School Papers". File or toss all mail as soon as it arrives! (If you throw mail away be sure to tear it up or shred it first) Cleaning Supply List Items you might need for to keep the house clean. WHAT YOU NEED FOR HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE Pick and Choose and what is best for your needs Bags for trash Razor blade scrapper Baking soda Silver and metal polish Bathroom cleaner Sponges Bleach Squeegee Broom Toilet plunger Brushes, (scrub, tile, etc.) Toothbrush (for small places) Bucket Vacuum cleaner Cloths for cleaning (rags) Vinegar Dish wash soap or detergent Wastebaskets Dust cloths or dust wands Wood cleaner and dusters Extension cords Floor cleanser Glass cleanser Gloves, latex Kitchen cleaners, disinfectants Mop Oven cleaner Powdered cleanser SAMPLE CLEANING SCHEDULE DAILY..... Dishes Make bed Wipe off kitchen counters Wipe the stove Wipe off dining room table Straighten living room floor before bed Vacuum, if needed WEEKLY..... Monday: Dust, Change bed sheets Tuesday: Laundry, Clean Laundry room Wednesday: Clean out fridge and microwave, Mop Thursday: Dust, Edge, Sweep out furniture and behind Friday: Scrub bathroom, Mow Saturday: Laundry, Garden, Wash windows Sunday: Just daily chores - my day 'off' MONTHLY..... Week 2: Deep clean bathroom and laundry room Week 3: Deep clean living room and catch up on Week 4: Deep clean bedrooms Week 5: Wash car and van YEARLY..... January: Rearrange furniture February: Taxes March: Clean out shed April: Clean out closets (put away winter things, bring out summer) and throw out broken toys May: Get the carpet cleaned, Prepare the flowerbed June: Concentrate on flowerbed July: Vacation - August: Get materials together for homeschooling September: Prepare the house for winter October: Clean out closets (put away summer things, bring out winter) and throw out broken toys November: Get the carpet cleaned, Clear out the garden December: Make holiday gifts Inspirational Homemaking by Lady Rose Mr Fix it's Home Maintence Schedule, Keeping your home in tip top shape like a fined tuned Car Doing Household Maintence also is a safety precuation and helps keep you and your family safe and your home operating smoothly. DAILY/WEEKLY Be aware of any changes or strange sounds in your home. If the automatic grage door opener is groaning, the door and track may need lubrication, or perhaps a roller is broken. If you smell sewer gas in the basement, you may have a dried out floor drain trap. If the central air conditioner is squeaking, you may have a bad bearing on the fan motor. If a gutter is overflowing, expect water in the basement or crawl space. Just watch for changes, and address issues as they arise. Be watchful during drastic weather changes. Weather can have a huge effect on our homes. A big snowstorm may make it necessary to clear your furnace's intake and discharge vent pipes. During periods of heavy rain, it is wise to check gutters and downspouts and make sure that the sump pump is working properly. If the furnace runs constantly or more often than you expect, check for a problem. MONTHLY When these systems are in use, perform the following checks monthly. System Check Fire and smoke alarms. Test alarms. Fire extinguishers Check pressure; service as needed. Carbon monoxide alarm Test alarm, and check reading. Warm air heating system Check and change or wash filter (unless it is a special type). Furnace, high efficiency Check condensate drain to make sure it is clear and draining. Gas water heater Check flue pipe (smoke pipe) to chimney for damage, rust, condition. Air conditioning Check and change or wash filter (unless it is a special type); check condensate drain to make sure it is clear and draining. Heat pump Check and change or wash filter (unless it is a special type). Steam heating system Check water level and service as needed. Shower and tub drains Clear out hair and other debris. GFCI Test GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) out lets and breakers. Plumbing Check for any leaks at fixtures, traps and piping. Water softener Check salt supply. Clothes dryer Clean lint from filter (after every use) and check duct for lint. Garage door operator Test auto-reverse safety feature. Spring Air conditioning Schedule professional service. Check that unit is level and clean and has proper clearance. Adjust main duct dampers if needed. Humidifier Turn off unit and water supply. Switch humidifier's duct damper from winter to summer setting as needed. Duct dampers Adjust dampers for switch from heating to cooling if necessary. High and low returns Open high returns and close low returns for cooling season Whole house fan Check belt, lubricate, clean. Gutters, downspouts Clean gutters and make sure downspouts are attached and extended. Roof Visually inspect for any damage. Trim trees if needed. Roof vents Inspect for damage or bird nests. Chimney Visually inspect for any damage to cap, flashing and masonry. Sump pump Test sump pump to make sure it removes water from the crock. Exterior, general Check condition of paint, caulk and putty. Exterior, grounds Check that grading of soil and hard surfaces slopes away from the basement. Attic Check for signs of leaks, mildew, condensation. Basement Check for any signs of leaks, cracks, movement, rot, mildew. Crawl space Check for adequate ventilation to remove excess moisture. Dehumidifier Clean; start operation in basement as needed. Plumbing Open outside hose connection shutoff. Clothes dryer Clean lint from duct and from unit per manufacturer's instructions. Refrigerator Clean coil, clean drain pan, and check drain. Range hood Clean filter, wash fan blades. Bathroom exhaust fans Clean grill and fan. Bathroom tile Check grout, caulk and tile for damage. Water heater Draw sediment from tank as needed. Sprinklers, irrigation Service and start system. Decks Cleans and seal as needed. Summer Air conditioner Keep bushes and plant material clear of unit. Maintain air conditioner's filter on furnace. Gutters & downspouts Clean gutters, and make sure downspouts are attached and extended. Sump pump Test sump pump to make sure it removes water from the crock. Exterior Complete any major paint, putty, wood repair and caulking projects. Fireplace Schedule professional cleaning and service as needed. Wood stoves Schedule professional cleaning and service. Chimney and roof Schedule profession service as needed. Exterior metal Check metal railings, and paint as needed. Fall Air conditioning Cover top of unit if desired at end of cooling season. Heating Schedule professional service; lubricate fan, motor, and pumps. Oil heat Arrange for maintenance and oil delivery. Water heater Service gas and oil water heaters. Draw sediment from tank as needed. Check for carbon monoxide. Humidifier Service, clean, change water panel as needed. Switch duct damper as needed from summer to winter setting. Duct dampers Adjust dampers for the switch from cooling to heating if necessary High and low returns Open lower returns and close upper returns for heating season. Gutters, downspouts Clean gutters and make sure downspouts are attached and extended. Roof Visually inspect for any damage; trim trees as needed. Roof vents Inspect for damage or bird nests Chimney Visually inspect for any damage to cap, flashing and masonry. Sump pump Test sump pump to make sure it removes water from the crock. Exterior, general Check paint, caulk and putty condition. Weatherstripping Check and repair weatherstripping on windows and doors. Exterior, grounds Check that grading of soil and hard surfaces slopes away from basement. Basement Check for any signs of leaks, cracks, movement, rot, mildew. Crawl space Check for adequate ventilation to remove excess moisture. Plumbing Close outside hose connection shutoff. Clothes dryer Clean lint from duct and unit per manufacturer's instructions. Bathroom tile Check grout, caulk and tile for damage. Garage door Tighten all hardware, and lubricate moving parts. Fireplace Check flue, damper, firebox. Sprinklers, irrigation Drain and service system. Room air conditioner Remove unit, or install cover. Swimming pools Service and close. Hoses Remove from hose bibs; drain to prevent freezing. Winter Fire and smoke alarms Change batteries, vacuum to remove dust, and test. Carbon monoxide alarms Change batteries, and test. Roof and gutters Monitor for ice dams, and record problems for future corrective work. Sump pump Test sump pump to make sure it removes water from the crock. Furnace Lubricate fan, motor, and pumps as required at mid-season Washing machine Check supply hoses for damage. Clean screens in hose connections. Doors and hardware Lubricate hinges and moving parts. Periodic Maintenance and Service As Needed Septic system Schedule professional pumping and inspection at least every 2 years. Water softener Clean brine tank and screens or filters as needed. Well system Test water for bacteria and other contaminants. Check pressure tank operation. Fire and smoke alarms Replace alarms every 10 years. Fireplace Schedule cleaning and inspection as needed, depending on use. Water filters Replace as needed. Water treatment units Replace and service as needed. Electric baseboard Vacuum and clean based on usage. Gas appliances Check flexible gas connectors for stove, dryer, etc., yearly. Range hood Clean filter and fan. Shutoffs Periodically have your whole family review all utility disconnects. Termites and other pests Schedule professional inspections and service as needed. Electrical Eliminate extension cords. Check for damaged cords, plugs or outlets. Water heater Test pressure and temperature relief valve. Replace leaking valves. Plumbing Test main water shutoff. If it is hard to operate, call a plumber. Have A Good Day :) Kathryn Thanks again Kathryn!