The Ultimate Seasonal House-Cleaning Quiz | HowStuffWorks

The Ultimate Seasonal House-Cleaning Quiz

By: Staff

Image: refer to hsw

About This Quiz

Cleaning a house can be a pleasant chore or a daunting task. If you have a daily cleaning routine for each season, then larger cleaning jobs will be a lot easier. Take our quiz to learn the basics for handling any cleaning job.

What do experts recommend that you do each day in your home?

Wash your dishes after every meal.

Take under less than a half an hour every day to take care of basic cleaning tasks

Clean your toilet with a good toilet cleaning solution every night.

What should you do in your home at least twice a year?

Change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Change filters in your furnace and air conditioning units.

Both of the above should be done at least twice a year.

What is a good, inexpensive and environmentally friendly all-purpose cleaning solution that you can formulate yourself?

Mix four tablespoons of baking soda to one quart of warm water.

Mix five tablespoons of baking soda, ½ cup of vinegar to one quart of warm water.

Add four tablespoons of baking soda, 1/4 cup of ammonia to one quart of warm water.

What is the first thing you should do in the spring when the weather warms enough that you no longer need to run your furnace?

Clean the ashes out of your fireplace and vacuum the hearth after the ashes are bagged.

Change any filters that serve your furnace and air conditioning ductwork.

Both above steps are recommended in the spring.

What is an important routine maintenance task in a home that many people tend to ignore or forget about?

Cleaning out hair and soap scum that accumulates in the P-trap under sinks.

Draining sediment from the bottom of the water heater.

Flushing all floor drains in the basement.

What is another thing you should do in the spring while you are changing air filters?

Test run your air conditioning system to insure that it is still functional before you really need it.

Check and renew any damaged caulking around windows and doors.

Have the furnace checked for heat exchanger cracks or any carbon monoxide leaks.

What is another task that is best performed on your home in the spring and fall seasons?

Wash down the exterior siding on your home with a high power jet sprayer.

Clean your windows on the inside and outside.

Rake out all dead grass and leaves from your lawn.

What is a good thing to do when you pull out warm weather clothing and store winter clothing in the spring?

Launder or dry clean everything even if it was freshly cleaned before you stored it away.

Check all bedding, pillows, mattresses and pajamas for signs of bed bugs as now is the time to deal with infestations.

Now is the time to separate out clothes that don’t fit or that you don’t wear anymore and donate it to charity.

What is another important cleaning job that is important to perform in the fall as well as during spring-cleaning?

This is the best time to move and vacuum under furniture and appliances.

Check and oil all doors and windows to make sure they open and close smoothly.

Clean your computer and keyboard of dust and accumulated grime.

What is an important area to clean with a soft dust mop while you are working at spring-cleaning?

Ceilings do not show the dust that they harbor on their surface so dust those ceilings now.

Most people do not realize that their walls also collect a layer of dust and only clean the obvious cobwebs.

Basement floors are a haven for accumulated dust and it is surprising how much dust your mop picks up.

What tasks do you want to focus on when you move out to organize your garage in the spring?

Bring seasonal toys and equipment to the front where it is easy to access and clear out clutter.

Sweep up accumulated salt and sand residue and wash down the floor with a garden hose.

Both tasks are appropriate as part of your spring-cleaning routine.

What else should you do after a rough winter or in the fall before the weather turns bad?

Walk around your property and check for any areas that require maintenance.

Rake up leaves, dead grass and any litter that has blown into your yard.

Change the oil in your vehicles and power tools.

What kind of window cleaning product should you use for best results?

You should use only heavy-duty ammonia based window cleaner solution for best results

For best results use one of the newer crystal-clear solutions that contain an ingredient to prevents dust adhesion.

Save money and achieve results with a simple solution of three tablespoons of white vinegar in a quart of water.

What is a great way to stop mildew or mold in its tracks before it gets a hold in your bathroom?

Squeegee your shower walls after each shower and wipe down with a strong bleach solution once a month.

Clean up mold monthly with a commercial mold killing spray keeping the area well ventilated while working.

Keep a spray bottle with a mix of one cup of water and one drop of tea tree oil to spray after each shower or bath.

What is one of the most appropriate cleaning tasks to tackle in the fall?

Launder hockey and football uniforms and air out protective equipment on your clothesline.

It is time to clean up and organize your kitchen to prepare for traditional cooking that starts with this season.

Head for the bedrooms to give them a good cleaning and airing out to prepare for long winter nights inside.

What other tasks should you complete in the late fall before the first freeze?

Clean and store your patio furniture and wash exterior windows now.

Drain, disconnect and store your garden hoses and prepare your garden for winter.

Both of the above answers are lists of things to take care of in the fall.

What is an important routine maintenance task that often is ignored until there is a problem?

Professional cleaning and inspection of chimneys connected to a fireplace or wood burning appliance.

Addressing areas where caulking has deteriorated.

Oil all door hinges to insure that they work freely and lubricate locks so they will not freeze up.

What is the best way to open up a slow moving drain before it is completely plugged?

Pick up a can of drain opener and follow directions on the label carefully.

Pour a half cup of baking soda in the drain, add a half a cup of vinegar, and let it sit for 10 minutes.

Call a plumber to clean out all drains for you every fall.

What should you do if you enjoy decorating for the festive holiday season?

Make sure that your house is clean before you start decorating.

When you are taking down your decorations and ornaments take the time to dust and wipe them down for next year.

Both of the above are appropriate for the holiday season.

What is a good idea in any area that is subject to severe weather, flooding or frequent power outages?

Put together a survival kit for each car and one for the house that will last for a couple of days.

Try to keep a full or almost full tank of gas in your cars especially when travelling in the winter.

Both of the above is a good practice in areas where there is severe weather.

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