3 Household Tasks to Tackle at Daylight Savings

Daylight savings can be a great benchmark to remind you it's time to do some key chores around your home. Sometimes even super simple tasks that are done twice a year can greatly improve the air quality inside your home and make you feel healthier and more in control.

Even though you lose an hour in the spring, these household tasks are time-efficient enough that you can get them done quickly and then get on with your day.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fires from clothes dryers usually occur from a byproduct-such as lint-that has built up and caught fire*. A dryer vent that's blocked with too much lint can also prevent exhaust fumes from being properly released outside.

Twice a year, make it a priority to clean your outside dryer vent. You can do so with a long dryer brush sold at your local hardware store. Bonus? A clean vent also helps your dryer work more effectively.

Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, so making sure you will be alerted of its presence is incredibly important! Changing the batteries only takes a few moments, but then you can rest assured for another six months that your devices are working as they should.

Carpeting may look nice, but it often hides bacteria and pollutants in your home much better than hardwood floors. So, while vacuuming your carpet every week can help, you should take another step to get out all the invisible allergens and bacteria that slowly build up over time.

Twice a year, try deep cleaning your carpets. You can do this with a steam cleaner, which you can usually rent from your local hardware store. Simply using hot water is a good chemical-free option, or you can add a cup of white vinegar to every 2.5 gallons of water for extra strength. 

* National Fire Protection