Yearly Habit: 8 House Chores to Do Every Year

Doing household chores on a regular basis is crucial if you want to keep your home tidy, functional, and comfortable. For example, certain parts of the house—like kitchens and bathrooms—should be frequently cleaned in order to prevent bacterial growth and dirt accumulation. That being said, there are some chores that you only have to accomplish on an annual basis. Once you cross them off your to-do list, you can rest easy until the next year.

On that note, below are eight chores that should be completed annually to keep your house in tip-top shape:

Deep Clean Your Air Conditioner

Technically, air conditioners require regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Parts like filters, fins, and coils require cleaning every few weeks. However, even with regular maintenance, you’ll still need to schedule a proper deep clean once a year. This is especially true if you own a split type aircon. Split-type air conditioners require yearly professional cleaning and maintenance from a reputable HVAC technician due to their complex construction.

Give Carpets and Upholstery a Thorough Cleanse

Carpets and upholstery tend to collect a lot of debris, such as pet dander, pollen, dirt, and food crumbs. Hence, you should give them a thorough cleanse before the year ends. It’s best to hire a professional to do this task, as simple vacuuming is normally not enough. However, if you’d rather do the job yourself, you can opt to rent or purchase a deep cleaner made for carpets and upholstery. Additionally, if your upholstery has textile covers or throw pillows, be sure to wash them in accordance with maintenance instructions.

Change Your Draperies and Wipe Your Blinds

Draperies will also gather dust throughout the year, so be sure to change and clean them. Curtains should be taken out and washed at home or at a professional cleaning service. If you have valances that are fixed to boards, cleaning them with a small handheld vacuum should suffice. Blinds also require yearly maintenance to prevent dust accumulation. Be sure to give them a good wipe down with a damp cloth and some cleaning spray.

Buff Your Windows

Besides cleaning your draperies and blinds, you’ll also need to buff your windows. After all, things like fingerprints, grime, watermarks, and dust can make it difficult to get a good view. Vinegar-based cleaning solutions are ideal for this task. Just mix equal parts water and white vinegar inside a spray bottle, and you’re good to go. Spray some solution on a window surface, then use a squeegee or cloth to wipe it with even strokes. Lastly, be sure to clean both the inside and outside parts of your windows.

Wipe Down Your Outdoor Furnishings

If you have furniture outdoors—such as tables and chairs—you’ll need to give them a good wipe down on a yearly basis. The best way to do this is to spray a mixture of dish detergent and warm water on furniture surfaces and wipe them dry. Any textile covers should also be thoroughly washed. Of course, cleaning methods may differ depending on the materials of your furniture, so be sure to check their maintenance instructions first.

Reorganize Your Bathroom Storage

While bathroom fixtures and surfaces should be cleaned regularly, you can opt to organize your bathroom storage on a yearly basis. Any empty or expired medications, cosmetics, and toiletries should be properly disposed of. If you have storage shelves or racks, be sure to give them a thorough wipedown with a damp cloth. Lastly, don’t forget to organize your remaining supplies and restock any missing items after you’ve finished decluttering.

Lubricate Your Locks

Locks should be lubricated yearly to keep them working properly. Avoid using any form of oil at all costs, especially if your lock is already stiff. Oil will only add to the accumulated grime, which will likely exacerbate the problem. Instead, purchase graphite powder from your local hardware store. Apply some to your key and insert it into the lock, then apply some to the exterior locking mechanism. If you can’t find any graphite powder, you can rub the lead of a pencil on these parts instead.

Have Your Gutters Emptied

The Philippines often experiences stormy weather and strong winds, causing gutters to get clogged with leaves and other debris. Failing to empty your gutters at least once a year can result in improper water drainage, which causes a variety of problems later on. Therefore, try to inspect your gutters before the rainy season. This ensures that they’re adequately prepared to take in large amounts of water. You can opt to hire a professional cleaning service, or you can try doing the cleaning yourself. Just be sure to wear proper footwear, gloves, and eye protection when doing so.

Of course, you can do the chores above as frequently as you want. However, doing them once a year should be more than enough. The most important thing is to complete them when they need to be done. By performing these tasks at the appropriate time, you can care for your house without exerting more effort than needed.

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