If you’re a new homeowner (and even if you’re a longtime homeowner!) you don’t want to neglect the home maintenance tasks that keep everything running smoothly. This checklist will help.
When you are lucky enough to move out of a rental and into a home of your own, you are so excited! You feel like you made it in life! And somewhere along the way, you learn a lesson. Maintaining a home takes work. If you don’t maintain it, bigger problems appear. A small leak, turns into mold, a dryer vent not cleaned can cause a fire, filters that are not changed can break down a AC system….
Like the Mishna says מרבה נכסים, מרבה דאגה the more possessions, the more worry.
Now the thing about worry is–the worrying itself is more of a nuisance than the actual act of getting things done. And we’ve found that having checklists on Between Carpools takes away some of the worry. You have a list. You know what you need to do. You can now schedule it, delegate or get it done asap!
Our most popular checklists that have become staples is our Sleepaway Camp List, Our Seminary List. We also have the Master Kallah List, a going away Packing List, a Yom Tov checklist, the Erev Shabbos Checklist , Wedding Day Checklist, Bris List, Hospital Bag list and some more coming up!
There’s more specific how-tos on cleaning and maintaining your appliances here.
We divided this checklist based on how many times a year you need to check / or when.
Some people like to make home maintenance part of their routine by taking care of things on the first of the month or Rosh Chodesh.
Daily/Weekly (After Every Load)
Dryer Lint Removal – to minimize build-up. **
Every 1-3 Months
** Wash your Dryer Lint Screen
Dryer sheets have a chemical coating that breaks down and lands on your filter, clogging the screen.
HVAC Filters
Dishwashing Filter
Twice a Year
Change Batteries on Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Hard Water Areas: Add Salt to Water Softener
Fridge/Freezer Filters (if you have)
Once a Year
** Clean your Dryer Vent – professionally.
Vacuum Refrigerator and Freezer Coils
Clean Kitchen Stove Vent (filters can be washed or replaced easily)
Washing Machine Filter
Fall
Shut Down Sprinkler System and Drain Outdoor Faucets
Check Gutters (clean as needed)
Spring
Powerwash Exterior Siding
Exterior Window Washing
Seasonally or As Needed
Wash and Clean Outdoor Garbage Cans
Wash Washing Machine with Affresh
Dishwashers with vinegar loads
Pour Draino in Drains That Clog Easily
Hot Water Tank Filter
Water Filter in your sink
Vacuum Filter
Exhaust Fans
Vacuum AC Returns
Landscaping
Carpet Cleaning
Share in the comments what maintenance tasks you learned about over the years?
With thanks to Ruti Hertano.
Thanks for this helpful list!
How can I learn the specifics of each task? For example, I know that I should change my AC filter, but where is it located, how is it done, what equipment do I need…?
And the same for most of the tasks! Any tips or resources?
Sometimes it’s in the actual return that is on the wall in your house, sometimes it’s on the side of your actual aching in your basement
Can you make this list printable or in a format to download?
Would also love more information on these items! How to clean a dryer vent? How to clean kitchen stove vent…
Thank you!
For those who use steam heat, to let out the water in the boiler once or twice a season.
Just be careful if you have a septic system. The plumbers do not recommend Drano…
I clean my washing machine and dryer during the 9 days 🙂
Has anyone figured out how to clean the bottom seal of a glass shower door? Soap scum, limescale, and dirt accumulate in there and it ends up looking very unappealing. I would appreciate tips or an article on this.
Yes!! would love to hear, the silicone is horrid!
Yes!
What is a dishwasher and washing machine filter?
How do you do a vinegar load in a dishwasher? And how do you clean the filter?
I would love a post about washing windows.
Use winded and wipe clean with newspapers. It might sound crazy, but it works. Oh, and make sure there’s no rain in the forecast. You don’t want to do all that hard work and then you see rain coming down.
Clean out chimney
how 2 clean inside oven door. meaning between 2 doors how to do you get in and clean the glass?
Any info how to clean mold out of the washing machine- like in the front inner rim.