Important Maintenance Tips:
Floors:
- Wood floors should be mopped or vacuumed. Use a paste
wax (if recommended by the flooring manufacturer) on hardwood floors, and if
excessively soiled, clean with mineral spirits or a commercial cleaner. Check
with a flooring company to find out if your hardwood floors should be
professionally cleaned and resealed after a certain period of time.
- Linoleum, asphalt, vinyl, vinyl-asbestos and rubber
floors should be swept, mopped or vacuumed regularly. You can clean these
floors with diluted detergent or a recommended floor cleaner and then wax if
required.
- Slate or clay tile should be sealed to protect and
prevent staining. Use a diluted detergent or tile cleaner to clean.
- Carpeting should be vacuumed regularly and shampooed
when needed. Avoid excessive wetting when shampooing.
Windows:
- For lightly soiled windows, use a solution of one cup
of vinegar to one gallon of warm water.
- For heavily soiled windows, use a solution of one
tablespoon of household ammonia and three tablespoons of denatured alcohol or
vinegar to one quart of warm water.
Walls:
- Some painted surfaces may be cleaned with a mild
solution of detergent and water. If you are not sure about the washability of
the paint, try washing in an inconspicuous place.
- Glazed brick or tile should be washed with soap and
water. Use a non-abrasive household cleaner to remove stains.
- Wood paneling should be cleaned with a wood cleaning
product and then treated with paneling wax or with linseed oil.
Drains:
- Never pour grease down your drains. Keep hair and
food out of the drain. Do not use any kind of lye if you have a plastic pipe
system.
- Always use only cold water when operating the
disposal.
- Occasionally grind some ice cubes.
Cabinets:
- Do not clean with abrasive cleaners; use a
"soft-scrub" type cleaner.
- Wood cabinets should be cleaned and waxed just like
fine furniture.
- Plastic coated cabinets may be cleaned with a
detergent solution.
Counter Tops:
- Counter tops should be cleaned with a "soft-scrub"
cleaner.
- Although most counter tops are heat and stain
resistant, you should not place hot objects directly on the counter top.
- Formica tops can be cut easily, so a chopping block
should be used.
Bathroom:
Regular cleaning of fixtures prevents a soap scum build-up. Never use a harsh
cleaner
- Use a glass cleaner for chrome or brass.
- Use a "soft-scrub" cleaner for marble and cultured
marble.
- Use a stiff brush to clean grout. For a heavy stain,
use a commercial grout cleaner.
Heating and Cooling Systems:
- Close registers and doors in rooms not normally used.
- Hot air rises and cold air falls. With this in mind,
in the summer you should close some downstairs registers and open some upstairs
registers, reverse the process in the winter.
- Keep registers and cold-air returns free from
obstacles, such as drapes, furniture and other items.
- Check the filter in your heating system at least every
3 months, it should be cleaned or changed. The filter should be checked more
often if there is a lot of traffic in and out of the house.
Landscaping:
- Be sure splash blocks and downspout extensions are in
place and carry roof water away from the foundation.
- Keep
lawn manicured and free of debris.
Winterize:
- Drain water from outside faucets and put away the
hose.
Safety Devices:
- Test
smoke detectors, replace batteries if necessary.
- Keep a
charged fire extinguisher in an accessible location.
- Test CO detectors, replace batteries if necessary.