Check your stock before shopping
Before you make the trip to the store to stock up on toiletries, cleaning supplies or pantry staples, check to see what you already have in your home. Sometimes we can be guilty of grabbing a “few” items just because we arent sure how much we actually have stored away already. These items can accumulate quickly and take up storage space, so double check your stock before you shop!
Cut down on energy use
Set a goal to cut down on your energy use this year. Unplug anything in the house after you are done using it, such as the coffee pot or toaster, and turn off the lights every time you leave a room. Your wallet will thank you for this.
Form a recycling routine
Sometimes it can be easier to just throw everything in our trash bins and set it out on the sidewalk once a week. However, recycling is important for the sustainability of our environment, and what better way to start the New Year than by making a plan to help improve our planet in 2021? If you struggle with recycling, create easily accessible, labeled bins to help clearly separate your home’s waste. If you do not have a recycling service that does regular pickups, set a weekly time to take it to a recycling drop-off instead. The sooner you can get into a routine, the easier this will become.
Maintain your home’s safety
Owning a home comes with safety risks. Are your fire detectors installed properly? Have you changed out the batteries? Do you have a working carbon monoxide detector? These are all things that you should check on as we enter 2021. You should also ensure that your home is ventilated properly and perform a yearly radon test.
Work out a cleaning system
Does it seem like you’re constantly cleaning your home just for it to become dirty again within the hour? Implementing a cleaning system can help keep your home clean, and you hopefully won’t have to do it alone. If you have a family, assign a daily or weekly chore to each member. Some cleaning tasks, such as loading the dishwasher, can be done daily, while others, such as vacuuming, can be done weekly. If you have a scheduled time for cleaning, and you divide these tasks up between your family, you can keep your home clean year-round.
Looking for more advice about managing your home? Visit www.crye-leike.com/blogs for more real estate tips and tricks!