20 Things Homeowners Need to Do Once a Month

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Being a homemaker might seem easy, but it takes a lot to maintain a healthy, happy, functional household. A homemaker has to take care of multiple responsibilities in their day-to-day life. However, even after ensuring that every day goes smoothly, there comes the challenge of monthly home maintenance. Here are 20 things every homeowner must do every month.

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Inspect Dampness and Leakage

Once every month, inspect the interior and exterior of your house for dampness. Identify potential leakage issues, particularly in the kitchen, bathroom, and other common areas with water fitting. Upon finding any leakage, address it promptly before it leads to dampness in the walls and foundation. Preventing water leakage is the first step in preserving the structure of your house.

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Do A Deep Clean

No matter how dedicatedly you clean your house daily, it is obvious that some areas get neglected. Therefore, to address them, dedicate a day monthly for deep cleaning of the entire house. Target difficult-to-reach areas, corners, and sections hidden due to furniture. Deep cleaning is important to ensure a comfortable living space.

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Inspect Your Drains for Blockage

Every month, inspect all your drains and ensure they are working smoothly. Check the drain for any blockage and clean it immediately. You can either follow natural remedies or use a commercial drain cleaner to clear any buildup. Proactive drain maintenance is crucial in kitchens, bathrooms, and drains closer to gardens.

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Clean And Seal Grout

Cleaning and sealing grout improve the appearance of any place. Besides that, it promotes hygiene and keeps the floor/ surface from absorbing any extra moisture. Therefore, battling the grim on your titled surfaces monthly is important. Follow it by sealing the grout, leaving no areas exposed. This monthly maintenance is crucial, especially for kitchens and bathrooms.

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Get Pest Control Done

Pest control is not a fancy word but a necessity for every household. Getting pest control done is important to stay healthy and hygienic. Not only that, but it also saves your property from any permanent damage. Although monthly pest control might seem like a lot, it can save you from a large bill when you try taking the service annually.

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Check HVAC Filters

HVAC filters (furnace filters or AC filters) need frequent changes. If you have Fiberglass filters, change them every month. Or, if you have Pleated filters or others, at least check them monthly, ensuring they are not clogged with dirt and dust. Doing so is important to ensure optimal air quality.

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Check All the Locks

Check all the locks at home monthly to ensure optimal home security. This check includes door locks, window locks, any entry and exit locks, or any lock present around. Although this inspection is crucial almost every day, a detailed check once a month is sufficient. Upon finding any issues, make sure you address them promptly.

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Lubricate Your Doors

Every month, apply lubricant on all the doors and windows at your home, preferably to the ones that are jamming. Lubricating is extremely important to prevent squeaky doors and hinges. This simple monthly maintenance task not only saves you from repairs but may enhance the functionality of your doors.

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Inspect Window and Door Seals

If you live in a temperature-controlled home, inspect the seals of your windows and doors frequently. Take a focused look at all your windows and doors, inspecting the sealing around them. Upon suspecting any cuts, cracks, or misfits, get it repaired immediately to avoid any inefficiency in the heating/ cooling system.

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Trim Shrubs

Maintain the exteriors of your home by trimming shrubs monthly or as soon as they outgrow. This routine helps enhance the landscaping appearance and also prevents risks on your property that might appear due to overgrowth. Pay attention to shrub overgrowth near the A/C unit, ensuring it does not block the airways.

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Check Smoke Alarms and Fire Extinguishers

Homeowners must always ensure safety as a part of their regular maintenance schedule. Frequently check your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers and ensure they are working swiftly. In fact, the US Fire Administration also insists on checking smoke alarms/smoke detectors every month. Upon finding any dysfunctionality, contact a professional immediately.

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Deep Clean Your Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposals are one of the dirtiest and smelliest parts of the house, yet they are often neglected. As a part of the monthly cleaning routine, homeowners must deep clean their garbage disposals. Use ice cubes and citrus peels for electric units and run the disposal unit. Or pour a cup mixture of baking soda and vinegar (equal amount).

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Clean Filters of Your Appliances

Cleaning filters of your electrical appliances enhance their performance and longevity. Routinely clean your dishwasher’s filters, drinking water system, tap water, etc. While some appliances have self-cleaning filters, others might need human assistance. Besides that, routinely maintain your water softeners to maintain their efficiency and longevity.

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Clean Kitchen Appliances

Regularly cleaning your kitchen appliances is crucial. This not only improves their functionality but also enhances their energy efficiency. Check and clean your dishwasher, microwave, food processor, refrigerator, coffee maker, toaster, and other appliances you frequently use in the kitchen. Make sure you remove all the dirt, dust, and grime settled on their interior and exterior.

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Vacuum Your Bed and Couch

Beds and couches collect more dirt and dust than you can ever imagine. Therefore, regularly vacuuming your furniture is extremely important to remove allergens, dust mites, and debris. They are not just affecting your indoor air quality but are also affecting the life of your furniture. Make it a monthly habit to vacuum and clean your personal space.

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Inspect The House for Cracks and Damage

Cracks in the foundation of your house can reduce its strength. Besides that, it can even reduce the overall value of your house by 10 to 15%. Therefore, it is crucial to inspect your property for cracks and damage now and then. Upon inspecting any, make sure you get them repaired immediately to save the cost in the future.

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Flush Your Water Heater

Flushing the water heater is very important, although often overlooked. Water heaters collect sediments, calcium, and minerals at the bottom, making the heating process harder with time. Therefore, it is crucial to flush your water heater every three months or every month if used daily. If your area receives hard water, do it more frequently.

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Work On the Monthly Expense List

Tracking your monthly expenses is extremely important to manage your finances in both the short and long term. This habit helps you observe whether you are overspending and how you can manage it. Always keep track of your past month’s expenses and prepare your next month’s budget list accordingly.

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Do Groceries

Grocery shopping is a part of daily life for many. However, when you shop for groceries frequently, you spend more than necessary every few days. Therefore, a smart homemaker should prepare a monthly list and do groceries accordingly for the next 25 to 30 days. This helps in money management and also saves a lot of time.

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Do Energy Audit (Home Electricity Bills)

An energy audit means evaluating your house’s electricity bills. This monthly habit helps identify safety concerns with the electricity system and determine if you are overspending. Check your electricity expenditure within a month from the last payment and make changes to reduce your electricity consumption.