What did people do before email? You had to call your friends to make weekend plans? And actually remember when it was time to test the smoke alarm? Thankfully, we live in an age when email makes home maintenance reminders fool-proof. These 5 tasks are so regulary forgotten, but it doesn't have to be that way. Take 5 minutes today to set ongoing email reminders that keep regular home maintenance at the top of your inbox.
Flip Your Mattress
While this tip about labeling your mattress is a great one, you still might need something to remember to check for that label under the sheets. Set a quarterly email reminder to keep your mattress comfier for longer and improve your sleep.
Set a reminder for: Every 3 months
Check and replace the Batteries in Your Smoke Alarm
Some people can remember to make this habit part of the spring forward/fall back clock change, but not us. Besides, it's reccomended you test smoke alarm batteires more frequently than twice a year. But you don't have to throw them out if they're bad. Battery levels that are too low for smoke alarms will still usually have enough jucie for the TV remote or other small appliances.
Set a reminder for: Every 3 months.
Change Your Water Filter
Leading refrigerator brands like Whirlpool, Maytag and KitchenAid recommend changing built-in water filters every six months to ensure that your water and ice remains fresh and great tasting. Standalone pitcher-filters, like Brita, reccomend changing them once every two months.
Set a reminder for: Every 6 months or Every 2 months
Change Your Air Filter
How often you should change your air filter is a point of contention. This post will help you figure out what schedule is best for you (based on your pets, allergies and cleaning habits), then you can set a reminder based on your rotation.
Set a reminder for: Every 2 to 6 months
Clean Your Fridge Coils
This might be a habit you never do (especially if you're renting), but you can extend the life of your most-used appliance(and save on your bills year-round) by remembering to clean the fridge coils annually.
Set a reminder for: Once a year
...So how do I send email reminders?
Using your calendar app of choice, set an event for some time in the future that will remind you to complete one of these household tasks, and make sure to set an email reminder for your event. If you don't keep a digital calendar, you can use a site like FutureMe.org to compose emails and send them at a specified date in the future.
(Image: Taryn Fiol)
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Why can't we "like" comments?
Thanks Pixie, you just did.
There's an app called Time Flies that I use to track the last time I cleaned the gutters, washed the shower curtain, or changed the furnace filter. I think combining it with this tip might work perfectly.
I am old fashioned and don't want to be reliable on these short lived electronics.
I use my desk calender, I also would like to add to put baking soda and vinegar mix once a month in your drains.
I use the Dashboard on my Mac. I have a list of all the filters that need replacing, with either the date they were replaced, or the date to replace.
Another trick is to write the date installation on the filter itself. Most are paper and have an edge to note the date.
I pour hydrogen peroxide down my drains to keep them clean. It just takes a little: pour slowly until you hear the hiss.
Another easy to do task is draining the sediment from the water heater. Simply attac a garden hose to the hook-up at the bottom of the tank and open the valve. Make sure to do this slowly to avoid stirring up the sediment. After the water draining out turns clear close the valve. There are some pictures for this home maintenance here.
maybe my condo hoa is unusual, but they post reminders in the elevators for these tasks. since a lot of the systems are interconnected and we are all responsible for the building its in the interest of everyone that things like smoke detectors, pipes, and air systems stay nice.
I have things like this set as repeating tasks on Google Calendar.
HomeSpot HQ (http://www.homespothq.com) will generate all these reminders for you, as well and give you a place to record the history of each item or the part number for specific things like the water filter in your refrigerator.