With about 95% of America’s population under some form of lockdown, or decision to self quarantine to stem the spread of Covid-19, many people are spending so much more time inside their homes, and with the warm weather, in their yards
So here are 10 key areas to pay special attention to to make your home clean, safe, and enjoyable for you and your entire family. These tips are good all the time, not just now.
The Roof. Your home’s roof gets the most abuse from the weather during the winter and spring. To ensure that your roof continues to keep the elements out and prevent potential water and wind damage, check if there are loose shingles or cracks.
Making repairs, even for minor issues, will ensure that your roof lasts for a long time.
The Gutters and Drains. It’s important to ensure that the gutters are cleared of any debris or leaves not only before fall sets in but also when spring comes. Regular gutter clearing makes sure that nothing blocks water flowing safely away from the side of your home.
The Windows. Windows are a top source of water damage. Include checking of window glass and casing for any cracks or gaps. Do necessary repairs to make sure your home’s windows are properly sealed to keep out water during heavy rains.
The HVAC System. Get your HVAC system ready for the hotter days ahead. If needed, clean or change filters. If you did not have a maintenance check in the fall, now is a good time to do it.
It’s better to have any maintenance and repairs done now than have your HVAC system give out during the hottest days of summer.
While you’re doing cleaning in your yard, clear out any overgrowth or debris around your HVAC’S external unit.
The Refrigerator and the Kitchen.
The center of all activity in our homes is always the kitchen. We are in and out of the kitchen all day, every day. Therefore, a deep clean of the area is a must.
The first part to start with is the refrigerator. Pay special attention to the refrigerator coils. Allowing build up of dirt including pet hair, food bits and other debris can seriously affect the efficiency of your appliance.
In fact, it’s important to do this not only during spring cleaning. Do this several times a year. It is simple enough - just use the handheld hose on your vacuum cleaner to clean the coils.
Because of the extra risk to health that COVID-19 brings, it is crucial to keep surfaces in the kitchen not only clean but DISINFECTED.
Wipe down the kitchen counter frequently. This is where grocery bags, mail, delivery boxes and other objects brought into your home are deposited.
Don’t forget tables and chairs that your family members often use.
Pay special attention to refrigerator handles and cabinet pulls.
Crucial Spots To Clean and Disinfect. While we may be mostly staying at home and practicing social distancing, there are still occasions that we do step out to do some essential errands. To prevent tracking the deadly virus into your home, here are spots you need to pay attention to during this pandemic:
Remote Controls, Keypads and Other Electronics.
Everyone touches them. Especially if you have stepped outside, you may be unintentionally transferring pathogens to these items. To keep the germs away, the first thing to do is to wash your hands frequently. The next thing to do is to clean and disinfect these items daily.
- Clean these according to the manufacturer’s manual.
- You can also use alcohol based wipes or sprays to wipe them down.
- For surfaces like screens, use disinfecting products that contain at least 70% alcohol.
Doorknobs and Handles. You and other members of your family touch them all the time! But often these are overlooked during traditional spring cleaning. It’s important to clean and disinfect these because they can harbor bacteria and germs. Do not forget these:
- Cabinet handles
- Faucets and shower door
- Toilet handles
Pay special attention to the outside door knobs or handles which are frequently touched by people outside of your own household.
Light Switches and Lamp Pulls. You often touch these without giving it a second thought. Because these are areas where germs can fester, these should be wiped down and disinfected regularly.
Bedding, Rugs, Pillows and Drapes. Evidence suggests that it’s harder to catch the virus from a soft surface (fabric) than it is from hard surfaces like door handles. However, as part of your spring cleaning, it does not hurt to clean and disinfect these items as well.
- Wash sheets and pillowcases according to instructions on their labels. Use the warmest setting appropriate for the water and for the drying.
- Clean rugs, pillows and drapes with soap and water or with cleaners designed for these fabrics. Follow with EPA approved disinfectant for extra precaution against COVID-19.
Kids’ Toys. Keeping your kids safe from the virus is your topmost priority. Routinely clean, sanitize and disinfect toys, games and other items that your kids frequently touch. When appropriate, clean them in a dishwasher or by hand with detergent and water, then rinse and sanitize with an EPA-approved disinfectant. Air-dry after cleaning.
COVID-19 and Dryer Vent Cleaning
A crucial area to check during your home cleaning is the vents that lead outside. This includes vents for your heating and cooling systems, and dryer. Dryer vent cleaning in particular, is important because lint buildup can pose several hazards including:
Dryer vent fires
Dust and toxins getting inside your living areas
Growth of mold or mildew
Build up of carbon monoxide gasses
Have your vent cap checked to ensure that it is opening and closing properly. A damaged or missing vent cap can allow birds, rodents and other small critters in. The nests they build can clog the vent and release toxins into your home.
They can also bring in bacteria and germs into your home. While COVID-19 virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected persons, it still pays to take extra precautions.
The washer and dryer should be included in your home cleaning list, as well. Make sure to wipe out your appliances to remove laundry detergent and fabric softener build up, as well as residue from dryer sheets. These can build up in the drum, detergent dispenser or the lint trap and subsequently affect the efficiency of your washer and dryer.
COVID-19 and Dryer Vent Cleaning: When to Do It?
How often do you need to have your dryer vent cleaned?
For an average, single-family home, the dryer vent should be cleaned once a year. Preferably, this should be part of your seasonal cleaning checklist - either spring or fall. However, you may need to have your dryer vent cleaned more often depending on several factors:
Family Size. If you have a larger family and do laundry more often, you need to have your dryer vent cleaned more frequently.
Pets. They shed their fur and hair and these make it into clothes and subsequently into the dryer lint trap and vent. You need more frequent dryer vent cleaning if you have pets in the house.
Type of laundry. If you launder more towels, blankets or fleece clothing, the dryer vent will fill up much faster compared to standard clothing and materials.
How does the COVID-19 pandemic affect dryer vent cleaning? People seem to be doing more laundry now and dryer vents are getting clogged.
If you’re unsure if you need your dryer vent cleaned, here are certain telltale signs to watch out for:
Your dryer is not as efficient in drying clothes as before. It may take longer to dry clothes or they may not dry completely after a drying cycle.
Your laundry room becomes unusually hot when you run your dryer.
You may notice a burning smell.
There is an unusual amount of lint in your lint tray every time you clean it out.