1. Wash your dishes after every meal.
   Take under less than a half an hour every day to take care of basic cleaning tasks
2. Clean your toilet with a good toilet cleaning solution every night.

They say you should take less than a half an hour every day to take care of basic cleaning tasks beyond things like washing dishes. Use this time to wipe down countertops, sinks, spilt food on floors and mirrors, wipe down toilet and clear clutter.

1. Change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
   Change filters in your furnace and air conditioning units.
2. Both of the above should be done at least twice a year.

It is important change batteries at least twice a year in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and this is easy to remember if you change them when daylight time comes and goes. You should also change filters in your HVAC systems as well as flipping and vacuuming your mattresses.

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

You can make a good all-purpose cleaner by mixing four tablespoons of baking soda to one quart of warm water. The ammonia formulation is for a heavy duty cleaner that you would use in a well-ventilated area and mixing vinegar with baking soda will produce a miniature volcano.

1. 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.
2. Both above steps are recommended in the spring.

Air currents will scatter ashes sitting in your hearth throughout your home, so make sure you clean them up and vacuum the hearth. Air filters that sit in the ducts clean the air from the furnace and the air conditioner, so it's important to replace them to reduce circulation of dust, mold and allergens.

1. Cleaning out hair and soap scum that accumulates in the P-trap under sinks.
   Draining sediment from the bottom of the water heater.
2. Flushing all floor drains in the basement.

It is important to drain any sediment collected at the bottom of your water heater, because ignoring this task can result in inefficient operation and early tank failure. It is not necessary to clean out P-traps unless water drainage is slowing down and flushing floor drains is not necessary, but you may want to check that they are fully functional.

1. 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.
2. Have the furnace checked for heat exchanger cracks or any carbon monoxide leaks.

You will probably want to test run your air conditioning system to insure that it is still functional before you really need it when it gets hot outside. Never run a central air conditioner if your furnace has just finished running as drastic temperature swings can damage a heat exchanger.

1. Wash down the exterior siding on your home with a high power jet sprayer.
   Clean your windows on the inside and outside.
2. Rake out all dead grass and leaves from your lawn.

Spring and fall are the best seasons to wash windows on both the inside and the outside. It is much easier to clean windows while temperatures are cooler so the cleaning solution does not dry out too quickly.

1. 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.
2. Now is the time to separate out clothes that don’t fit or that you don’t wear anymore and donate it to charity.

Spring and fall are good times to separate out clothes that do not fit or that you do not wear anymore and donate them to charity. Most communities have clothing drop boxes or charity organizations that will accept or even pick up used clothing in good condition.

1. 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.
2. Clean your computer and keyboard of dust and accumulated grime.

Spring and fall are the best times to move and vacuum under all furniture and appliances. When you pull out your refrigerator, take a few minutes to also vacuum around the compressor at the bottom and the cooling coils at the back with the soft brush attachment.

1. 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.
2. Basement floors are a haven for accumulated dust and it is surprising how much dust your mop picks up.

Walls collect a layer of dust and you will want to dust the entire wall surface with a soft dust mop. Avoid focusing only on accumulated cobwebs and dust a wall starting at the top and working down, covering the entire surface.

1. 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.
2. Both tasks are appropriate as part of your spring-cleaning routine.

Take a good look at your garage, sweep up and hose down the floor before you reorganize and remove clutter. Arrange sports equipment, bikes, garden tools and camping equipment so that it is easy to access.

1. 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.
2. Change the oil in your vehicles and power tools.

This is the time to do a circle check on your property and home. Walk around while paying particular attention to spotting problems such as missing roofing tiles, loose drain pipes or eaves troughs, damaged siding, etc.

1. 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.
2. Save money and achieve results with a simple solution of three tablespoons of white vinegar in a quart of water.

Save money and achieve results with a simple solution of three tablespoons of white vinegar in a quart of water. Put solution in a spray bottle and wipe the window clean with crumpled up newspaper.

1. 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.
2. 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.

You can 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. This inexpensive homemade mix is environmentally friendly and leaves a nice fresh scent in your bathroom.

1. 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.
2. Head for the bedrooms to give them a good cleaning and airing out to prepare for long winter nights inside.

You will want to clean and organize your kitchen to prepare for traditional cooking that starts with the fall season. With Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years around the corner, make sure you are set up for easy cooking.

1. Clean and store your patio furniture and wash exterior windows now.
   Drain, disconnect and store your garden hoses and prepare your garden for winter.
2. Both of the above answers are lists of things to take care of in the fall.

Clean patio furniture along with summer toys and store them away before washing all exterior windows. Drain, disconnect and store garden hoses and wading pools along with preparing your garden for winter.

1. Professional cleaning and inspection of chimneys connected to a fireplace or wood burning appliance.
   Addressing areas where caulking has deteriorated.
2. Oil all door hinges to insure that they work freely and lubricate locks so they will not freeze up.

Although fixing caulking around doors and windows or oiling hinges and locks is important, chimney maintenance before the wood-burning season starts is a safety concern that is often ignored. Have your chimney professionally cleaned. While you are at it, clean accumulated lint out of your clothes dryer vent.

1. 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.
2. Call a plumber to clean out all drains for you every fall.

Although commercial drain openers work well most times, it is better to avoid their use and a plumber is usually unnecessary. Use our simple earth-friendly recipe and 10 minutes after it stops foaming simply flush the drain with boiling water from a kettle.

1. 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.
2. Both of the above are appropriate for the holiday season.

If you enjoy decorating for the holidays, make sure to clean the house before you start. When the holiday season ends, take time to dust and wipe down your ornaments and decorations. You can shower your artificial tree before you put it away.

1. 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.
2. Both of the above is a good practice in areas where there is severe weather.

Keep your car gas tank almost full and carry a survival kit in the car along with supplies for a few days stored at home. Include items like blankets, flashlights, batteries, matches, a couple of candles, energy bars and tin foil.