This New Year, don’t forget to include one of your most valuable assets in your list of resolutions – your home! Check out these easy ways to make your home cleaner and greener in 2017!
Purge the Paper
With busy schedules, it’s all too easy to let excess paper pile up. Go through the piles in your countertops and shred bills and other sensitive information. Toss school papers you don’t need, and scan special artwork to keep a digital image of your kids’ creations. File items you need to keep, such as tax records, insurance information, and your most recent loan statements.
Safety First
Do a safety check on your home. Start with the easy tasks, like checking and replacing the batteries in your smoke detectors. If you don’t have a carbon monoxide alarm, purchase at least one for each level of your home and place it near any gas appliances, such as your furnace or dryer. In addition, clean your dryer vents – lint is actually highly combustible, and can build up on heating elements inside, posing a major fire hazard. You can purchase vent cleaning tools to do it yourself, or hire a professional for a more thorough job.
Keep It Clean
Revamp your housekeeping routine this year, and have everyone do their equal share of cleaning around the house. Young kids can wipe tables and countertops and put their toys away. Teach your older children to do laundry, vacuum, take out the trash, and help with simple food prep. Divide and conquer the biggest tasks, such as lawn mowing and mopping, with your significant other. Consider using stickers, small treats, and other rewards for a job well done, and turn on the music to keep it fun!
Save Energy and Money, Too
There are some easy ways to make your home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, and put some dollars back in your pocket at the same time. Set your hot water heater to 120 or 130 degrees. Don’t reduce it below 120 degrees, as lower temperatures may promote bacteria growth and provide insufficient sanitization. Installing low-flow shower heads is another easy way to conserve water and save on costs. In addition, consider replacing halogen or CFL lighting with LED bulbs. LED bulbs use up to 75% less energy, last for years, and are cooler to the touch, making it a safer option for table lamps and other exposed fixtures.
Richardson Housing Group (RHG Homes) builds new homes in Atlanta. For more information on our new home communities in Gwinnett, Jackson, and DeKalb Counties, including available homes, photos, floorplans, and more, visit us online at www.RHGHomes.com. To keep up-to-date on the latest news and offerings by RHG Homes, check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RHG.homes. You can also catch up with us on Twitter and see footage of our beautiful new homes and communities on YouTube!
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