40+ things most homeowners aren’t doing but need to

Just because you’re washing clothes regularly, it doesn’t mean your washer doesn’t need cleaning. Once a month, run an empty load with just hot water and bleach.

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You don’t need to wash your pillows every week like you do your sheets, but every three months or so, throw them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with hot water to remove dead skin cells and sweat. And when drying, add a couple clean tennis balls to help speed up drying and keep the pillow guts from clumping.

Just like your phone, you touch the remote with dirty hands and spread those germs and dead skin cells around. So wipe it down once a week with a microfibre cloth and a little rubbing alcohol, or a disinfectant wipe.

Your shower head should get a wipe down every two weeks, and a deep cleaning twice a year or more depending on how much use it’s getting. Don’t fear, you won’t have to remove your shower head to clean it, you just need a few items you probably have around the house to give it a solid cleaning.

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Even if you pull the hair out of your hairbrushes and combs, they should still get a little rinse off every so often to get rid of any lingering debris and residue left behind from your hair products. Give them an overnight soak in warm water and baking soda (seriously, what can’t baking soda do?) to have them feeling brand new.

Your shower curtain attracts all kinds of yucky mildew and more from being in a moist environment like a steamy shower, so it’s best to give it a good wipe down with baking soda or a turn in the washer every once in a while.

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Buy a ring binder and keep insurance papers, repair receipts and all other paperwork pertaining to the house in it. Storing all your house information in one handy place makes life easier for the homeowner and can be a sales ‘plus’ when selling the house later.

Here are 13 things you’re doing to your home that real estate agents wouldn’t.

The tiny gaps around outlets on exterior walls and ceiling boxes let cold air in (and warm air out). Sealing these areas takes just half a day and will help cut down on drafts (and your heating bill!).

Lawn products like seed and fertiliser soak up moisture in damp garages. To keep them fresh, store them in giant zip-top bags (available at discount stores).

You should replace your air filters at least four times a year, but it’s best to check them once a month. This keeps air in the house healthy and your system running efficiently because they are not clogged with debris or dust.