Let daylight saving time be reminder to tackle important biannual chores

In a new national survey, 70 percent of Americans polled are avoiding cleaning tasks that are beneficial to the health of their homes. The three chores that are most likely to fall to the bottom of the biannual to-do list are rotating and cleaning ceiling fans, cleaning vents and registers, and vacuuming and flipping mattresses.

“We think of keeping a clean and healthy home as being all about disinfecting and killing germs, and those things are really important,” says Peggy Lagomarsini, a local owner of The Maids of Western Las Vegas. “But air quality is equally important. When there’s dust built up on your register covers, in your mattress, on your blinds and your ceiling fans, your family is breathing in potentially harmful airborne particles.”

In addition to eradicating dust, other important biannual tasks include cleaning your pantry, fridge and freezer and purging them of expired food, washing or replacing your shower curtain, and washing or wiping down the walls and ceilings throughout your home. Of course, swapping out seasonal clothing items and cleaning closets is also key.

Lagomarsini says that daylight saving time is a good reminder to tackle these forgotten tasks because it comes around twice a year and is impossible to ignore.

“You know, you’re gaining that extra hour, at least in the fall,” says Lagomarsini, “Why not spend it wisely?”

While time plays a role in why homeowners overlook these tasks, competence is also a factor. Nearly a quarter of survey respondents (23 percent) said they feel least competent cleaning vents and registers. It is for this reason that The Maids have put together free resources, including a biannual cleaning checklist with instructions on how to properly complete these tasks, that are available by visiting www.maids.com/cleaningtips.

To learn more about The Maids, call 877-410-6243.