We are just a few days into 2022 so there is still time to make those New Year resolutions. Resolutions to better bodies, minds, and wallets are usually the first that comes to people’s minds. Yet, we often forget about setting goals to better our homes. Here are some resolutions you should think about implementing to improve your home life in the coming year:
Maintain your home’s safety
Are the fire detectors installed properly? Have the batteries been changed? Is the carbon monoxide detector working properly? Owning a home comes with safety risks. These are all things that you should check on as we enter the New Year. Don’t forget about your annual radon test to ensure that your home is ventilated properly.
Cut down on energy use
The cost of electricity can infringe on your monthly budget. Your wallet will thank you when you set a goal to cut down on your energy use this year. Unplug items like a coffee pot or toaster once finished with them, and turn off the lights every time you leave a room.
Check your stock before shopping
Sometimes we can be guilty of grabbing a “few” items just because we aren’t sure how much we have stored away already. Before you make the trip to the store to stock up on toiletries, cleaning supplies, or pantry staples; check to see what you already have in your home. These items can accumulate quickly and take up storage space, so double-check your stock before you shop!
Work out a cleaning system
Does it feel like you’re constantly cleaning your home to only have it become a mess again in no time at all? Implementing a cleaning plan can help keep your home polished or ready for unexpected guests. If you have a family, assign a daily or weekly chore to each member, so you won’t have to do it alone! Some cleaning tasks, such as loading the dishwasher, can be done daily. Other like vacuuming, dusting or mopping, can be done weekly. If you have a scheduled time for cleaning and divide these tasks between your family members, you can keep your home clean year-round.
Form a recycling routine Recycling is important for the sustainability of our environment, and what better way to start the New Year than by making a plan to make our planet a better place to live? We know that sometimes it is easier to just throw everything in our trash bins and set it out on the sidewalk once a week. Create easily accessible, labeled bins to help separate your home’s waste. If you do not have a recycling service that does regular pickups, set a weekly time to take it to a recycling drop-off instead. The sooner you can get into a routine, the easier this will become less of a struggle and more of an environmentally safe habit.