1) Shut off the main water supply.

The main water valve controls the water supply for your entire home. While it’s not necessary to adjust for an overflowing toilet (just turn the valve located directly behind it the toilet), it is necessary in emergencies. A burst pipe, leak, or plumbing repair might require you to shut off all water.

To find yours, look for your water meter. Your valve could be located in the basement, on the side of the house, or even the garage.

2) Unclog a drain.

I bet you’ve never thought to use a plunger outside of the bathroom, have you? I don’t recommend that you use the same one that’s used in the bathroom for unmentionable events.

But, a plunger can be a useful tool for a clogged sink too!

3) Clean front-load washers and dryers.

Unless you’re Monica from “Friends,” you probably don’t think about cleaning the appliances that clean for you. But when you don’t take care of your washer, it stops doing its job properly and your clothes can come out smelling icky. Front load washers, especially, are a breeding ground for mold and mildew since they never completely dry after running a load of laundry. So it’s recommended that you clean your front-load washer once a month.

As inconvenient as it might sound, it’s fairly a simple and quick process. Simply set your washer to the hottest, longest cleaning cycle (some washers have a self-cleaning cycle), add two cups of vinegar and a quarter cup of baking soda then let it do it’s thing. Once that’s done, grab a little water, a scrubby sponge, and wipe down the inside of the drum, and rubber seal. That’s it!

And dryer maintenance is even more simple. Aside from clearing out the dryer vent, which you should do before or after each load, you should also clear out the dryer duct. Unplug the dryer, pull it away from the wall, and look for lint in the duct. The duct might need replacing, or you might be able to get away with vacuuming.

4) Re-caulk.

Showers, while they do their job well, tend to hold a lot of moisture. None of us are surprised by the presence of mold and mildew from time to time. However, the caulking reaches a point where it’s beyond cleanable and needs replaced.

You’ll want to remove the old caulk with a sharp tool and some mineral oil or vinegar. Next, tape the area you want caulked (this ensures that the caulk only goes where you want it to). Then, using a caulking gun, apply it to the desired area and finish by smoothing it out with a gloved finger or ice cube to get a smooth, concave surface.

5) Clean the garbage disposal.

If there’s a yucky smell coming from your sink, you’re not alone. Our kitchen sinks are used and abused so it’s important to show them a little TLC every once in a while. And there’s no reason to call for help.

Eliminate odor by pouring half a cup of baking soda, followed by a half cup of vinegar down each side of the sink. Leave it and carry on with other chores or stick around the watch to see it fizz. Just be sure to put the stopper on before the foam spreads beyond the disposal. After a few minutes, flush it down with hot water.

If the smell persists, feel free to try a couple other methods like citrus peels or ice and vinegar,  then get ready to get your hands dirty and clear the drain, not just the disposal. You can either try to clear the drain trap yourself or call a professional.

6) Clean the dishwasher.

It’s normal for food and grease to leave a residue in the dishwasher. But that residue will wind up leaving your dishes dirty and smelly, so it’s crucial that you budget time to clean it occasionally. And all it takes is a cup of vinegar and the run of a cycle.

Just put a cup of vinegar in a dishwasher safe container on the upper rack and run it. Feel free to do that once a month. And on a regular basis, be sure to clear food from the drain.

7) Patch a hole in the wall.

Wall scrapes, dings, and even holes happen. From things as simple as rehanging pictures to moving furniture to playing a little too hard inside the house, wall damage is a given.

If it’s just a little ding or hole from a screw or nail, then you can simply use quick-drying spackle to fill in the hole, sand to smooth, and cover with touch-up paint. And if it’s a larger hole then head to the hardware store for a patch kit!

8) Install weather stripping.

Ever hear your parents say, “I’m not paying to air condition the whole neighborhood!” growing up? That comment was often made after a door was left open in your haste to play outside or run inside for a snack.

Well, gaps around windows and doors in your home can work the same way. They’re certainly not as obvious, but they can cause you to lose the precious cold air that you’re paying for and, more noticeably, the heat in the winter. Ever feel a cold draft when you walk past the front door? You probably have a gap and need to install some weather stripping.

Never done it before? That’s okay. Actually, the hardest part of weather stripping is knowing which kind you need. There’s a variety, but this article by This Old House can help you sort it out. And if you’re still unsure, strike up a conversation with the department experts at Lowe’s, Home Depot, or your local hardware store.

9) Fix sticky drawers.

Everyone has had one of those drawers. It needs an extra strong yank, a rattle, or a push then pull. If you’re fed up or your technique no longer works, you can fix this minor issue with a small purchase and a few minutes.

First thing to try is some wax. You can find paraffin wax with the canning supplies at the grocery store (or order it online now while you’re thinking about it). Just rub the wax on the edges of the drawer where it gets stuck and you should be good to go. If it doesn’t work or the drawer starts to catch again after some use, purchase some nylon tape and run it on the drawer or the shelf where it rubs.

10) Replace air filters.

Replacing the air filter is that annoying chore that we constantly forget to do. And maybe that’s because we don’t think about how important it is. Did you know that air filters help support the longevity of your A/C unit, the energy efficiency of your home, and prevent mold?

With that being said, it’s extremely important that you replace your air filters (including ground level return air vents) every 30 days. However, some filters have a 90-day life-span or are reusable, assuming you clean them regularly.

AUTHOR: DANIELLE KEECH