Our home requires a lot of care and there are plenty of things we can do to make it comfortable, functional and in perfect condition for years to come. The key lies in a good organization, taking preventative measures as well as being prompt about any potential issues and it also requires a little time, effort and skill. There are some home maintenance tasks and repairs; everyone should know how to do – take a look at them!

When it comes to home maintenance, there are some things on that checklist that we somehow forget to do. Cleaning front-load washers are one of them. Have you noticed that sometimes your clothes end up smelling icky after being washed? That’s because these washers are perfect for breeding mildew and mold. It’s essential to clean these washers at least once a month. It’s done quite simply: just set your washer to the hottest and longest washing cycle, add two cups of vinegar and a quarter cup of baking soda and let it run the cycle. After it’s done, take a damp cloth and clean the inside of the drum, and rubber seal.

The same goes for front-load dryers. The cleaning process is even simpler when compared to washers. Clean the dryer vent as well as the duct. Unplug the dryer and check the duct for lint. You might need to replace the duct if vacuuming it doesn’t help.

Your garbage disposal can easily start to smell bad. That’s because of all the food residue in it. You can eliminate the odor by pouring half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar down the disposal. Remember to put a stopper on it and leave it for a few minutes. Flush it down with hot water afterward.

Keeping your drains clean is one of the most important things as far as home maintenance is concerned. This is one of those issues that can cause you a lot of problems and that will require you to hire professional help eventually. Unclogging blocked drains is something you can try yourself with a plunger and different chemicals. However, if it doesn’t work, you can always hire professionals to deal with your problem.

The main function of gutters is to collect water and dispose it away from the roof and foundation. And if they are full of leaves, they can’t perform their function and they can easily cause damage to the foundation and invite pests. Make sure to clean your gutters at least twice a year.

Replacing air filters is also an important chore that we often forget about. They have multiple functions that consist of supporting the longevity of the AC, conserving the energy of your home and preventing mold. You should replace them once a month.

During harsh weather conditions that our homes usually face during winter and fall, window screens can get easily damaged. In order to prevent them from causing further damage and being functional, we should replace any damaged ones when spring comes.

Our carpets are the spot to which we drag all the dirt from outside. We should vacuum and clean the carpets to keep them dirt and debris-free.

Getting rid of unnecessary clutter is something that requires quite a lot of consideration and time. But once done, it makes your home a so much better place. Think about all the things you haven’t used for a while and get rid of them.

One of the things most often slips our mind: replacing batteries in safety devices. You should check if all the safety devices such as alarms and smoke detectors have functional batteries and replace them from time to time.

Doing these simple things around your home promptly can bring you years of peace and tranquility when it comes to more serious and demanding home maintenance tasks that require professional help.