5 Things to Keep An Eye Out for When Cleaning Your House

As we go about our day-to-day lives, most of us pay relatively little attention to our homes; we’re simply too busy living in them. This is entirely understandable. Constant vigilance would soon take a severe toll on our mental health, but the opposite does mean that we can miss things that could actually do with extra attention. We need to be careful to watch for certain things when cleaning our house and be diligent about taking care of those things.

How to keep your home in good repair

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However, there is a perfect opportunity that, if harnessed successfully, can allow you to assess your home and check all is well: cleaning. After all, cleaning means moving through your home with your eyes peeled for dirt, dust, and debris – you’re already halfway there. By expanding what you look at – and for – when cleaning your home, you can combine two maintenance tasks into one. 

If you want to give it a try, then below, we’ve listed a few telltale signs of underlying issues that you can keep an eye out for when cleaning your home. 

Faded upholstery 

Unfortunately, even the best quality upholstery can fade. This is sually as a direct result of exposure to the sunlight that pours through your windows. As you go about your cleaning routine, you can inspect upholstery of the furniture you are cleaning around; it can be helpful to take photographs of each piece when it’s new, so you have something to compare to. If you do suspect that the upholstery is beginning to fade, you may want to consider adding a throw or blanket to disguise the existing fading and prevent the issue from worsening. Alternatively, and perhaps preferably, you could consider moving the piece to a different, more shaded part of the room for a while in order to minimize its continued exposure.

Plant hydration 

Having a clean and tidy house

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Most homeowners will have a regular watering schedule for their houseplants, but it’s still always worth double-checking. While plants can bounce back from long periods of dehydration, having to go through the process of nursing a plant back to health is far from ideal, so making sure all is well while you’re in the process of cleaning is highly advisable. For most plants, the best way to check hydration is to briefly press your fingers into the soil as you pass by. Ideally, the soil should be moist to the touch. If the ground is dry and hard, then a top-up of water is the best way to go. If the soil is noticeably waterlogged, then moving the pot into a sunny spot should help to encourage evaporation of the excess water and protect the plants’ health. 

Signs of bed bugs 

For close to four decades, bed bugs were on the wane, much to the delight of homeowners. Unfortunately, bed bugs are now starring in their very own comeback – which means that you will once again need to be vigilant for any sign of these unpleasant insects in your home. There are a few signs, in particular, to look out for as you go about your regular cleaning habits:

Blood stains on mattresses and bed linen

A musty odor, which is most commonly noticed on fabrics 

Signs of bed bug shells, which may have a slightly yellow hue

Dark spots, usually of a rusty color, on linens, walls, and mattresses

If you do see any of the above signs, then you’ll need to take action, ideally by calling a bed bug exterminator for further advice. Thankfully, if an infestation is confirmed, then an experienced exterminator should be able to clear the issue relatively quickly, much to the benefit of you and your family. 

Peeling paint 

Keeping your home in good repair

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It’s tempting to see peeling paint as a fact of life; perhaps a sign that you need to redecorate sometime soon. However, peeling paint can actually be a sign of a number of issues, with mildew and damp a particular concern. As you clean, it’s helpful to scan your eyes over your walls. This helps to ensure the paint is all firmly in place. 

If you do spot any peeling paint while cleaning, then it’s important to investigate further as soon as possible. To do so, examine the area to see if there are any dents. Sometimes accidental knocks and bangs can cause the paint to peel as a result of the impact rather than as a sign of an underlying issue. However, if there’s no sign of accidental damage in the surrounding area, then a little more caution is required: try rubbing a finger over nearby, non-peeling paint, very gently. If more flakes come away and come away easily at that, then there could be a more concerning issue at hand. Contacting a damp proofing company for an assessment is likely to be a sensible move.

Gaps in window seals 

Every time you clean your windows, take a moment to inspect the window seals. By far the best way to do this is to spray window cleaner onto the seals from outside. Then check to see if there are any signs of moisture on the inside of the frame. If there is, then there may be a minute hole or crack somewhere in the seal.

If you do find that the seals have been compromised, you’ll need to take action as soon as possible. This will prevent issues with mold and mildew from developing in your home. What’s more, holes and gaps around windows can significantly harm the energy efficiency of your home. The result of this will mean that you pay to heat your home, only for the heated air to escape. 

In some cases, you can fix small holes yourself, but do continue to check that the fix is holding every time you clean; if it isn’t, then contacting a professional to replace the seals entirely might be the best choice.

In conclusion

Keeping your home clean and tidy

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By combining your usual cleaning routine with the checks above, you’re able to cover two necessities in one. As a result, you can enjoy enhanced peace of mind that all is well with your property. And you can spend more time doing the things you love.

If you are overwhelmed with clutter, you may need more help than just cleaning – Check out this post on Marie Kondo method.

 

5 things to keep an eye out for when cleaning your home

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