On Sunday, November 1, the clocks go back one hour. You get one free hour this weekend, and it is the perfect reminder for the jobs that only need doing twice a year. Spring forward, fall back, and check the house.
None of these take long. Most take five minutes. Together they make a real difference going into the holidays.
Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
This is the classic one, and for good reason. Press the test button on every alarm. If one chirps weakly or not at all, change the battery now, not at 3 a.m. when it starts beeping on its own. While you are up there, wipe the dust off the cover. Dust inside the sensor can cause false alarms.
Reverse the ceiling fans
Most fans have a small switch on the motor housing. In summer the blades should push air down. In the cooler months, flip the switch so they turn clockwise at a low speed. That pulls cool air up and pushes warm air back down along the walls.
Before you flip it, look at the top of the blades. In Orange County they collect a surprising layer of dust, and turning the fan on after months off sends it all over the room.
Change the HVAC filter
Fall in Southern California means Santa Ana winds, and those winds push fine dust into every house. A clogged filter means more of that dust settles on your floors and furniture. If you cannot remember the last time you changed it, that is your answer.
Clean the dryer lint trap and look behind the dryer
Pull out the lint screen and wash it with warm water and a little soap. Dryer sheets leave a film on it that blocks airflow. Then look behind the machine. Lint that builds up there is a real fire risk, not just a mess.
Descale the shower head
Our hard water leaves white crust on shower heads and faucets that slowly blocks the spray. Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, slip it over the shower head, hold it with a rubber band and leave it overnight. In the morning, run the water for a minute. (We wrote more about this in our post on hard water in Orange County.)
Check the fridge for expired food
The holidays are coming, and the fridge is about to get very full. Clear out the old jars and sauces now, while it is easy.
The bigger job: get the house ready for the holidays
The checklist above takes an hour. A full deep clean of the house does not, and that is where we come in.
A deep clean goes after everything a regular clean skips: baseboards wiped by hand, dust on door frames and light switches, kitchen and bathroom details that build up over months. Booking it in early November means the house is fresh going into Thanksgiving, without the last-minute rush.
Deep cleaning starts from $249. Pick your day and book online, or call or text us at 657-557-0093. We clean Monday through Friday across Orange County.
Enjoy the extra hour.
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