It’s February, which means it’s time for a little romance and a lot of indoor chores. Might as well get them completed while the weather is still too cold to do much outside.
Kitchen Clean-up. If your oven has a self-cleaning function, select a time to run it while you’re at home. Afterward, use a sponge soaked in vinegar and water to wipe it clean. Use the same vinegar solution to clean food residue off the stove top. For stubborn deposits, apply a paste of vinegar and baking soda, then wipe after several minutes. If you must scrub, use a plastic scrubber, never a hard bristle brush or steel wool.
Roll out the refrigerator. If it has been a few years since the last cleaning, brace yourself for the grime and dust beneath. After vacuuming the loose debris, use a cloth dampened with vinegar and water solution to wipe the floor clean. Also, vacuum the refrigerator’s condenser coils.
Tighten hardware. Grab a screwdriver and tighten every door and cabinet knob until snug.
Laundry TLC. Over time, dryer lint builds up within the vent hose, which runs from the back of the dryer to an outside port. To prevent this from becoming a fire hazard, periodically disconnect the vent and clean. Remove lint, vacuum, then reconnect. If your dryer hose is extremely long, contact a professional to do the job.
Tax preparation. By now you should have received all forms from employers and earning statements from bank and investment firms. Compare to last year’s return and request any missing items. If you haven’t already, call your tax accountant for an appointment or download tax software to do the job yourself.
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