Amid the continuous battle against COVID-19, many people are fighting another battle in their homes — against restlessness and boredom. While the spread of the infection is enough to keep people inside of their homes, it doesn’t help most people survive long days wherein they have nothing to do.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can put your free time to good use. One of the most purposeful ways to do so is to start on home improvement projects.
Clean and Scrub
A good clean is one of your best defenses against viruses. More significant cleaning projects might require assistance from professionals. For example, you can hire roof cleaners for your home. But if you are still conscious about letting other people in your home, you can do the cleaning yourself.
If you live in a condominium or apartment, you can sweep the dirt and mop the floors every few hours. But if you live in a bigger home, clean one room at a time if the task seems too tedious.
Before you clean, make sure your cleaning materials are approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While many products have not been proven to remove the coronavirus from surfaces, most of these products have chemicals that kill similar viruses.
According to the CDC, it’s best to clean dirty surfaces first with water and soap before disinfecting them. Also, wear disposable gloves when cleaning. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, clean frequently touched surfaces, such as tabletops, counters, doorknobs, keyboards, tablets, phones, and bathroom fixtures.
Conduct an Electrical Audit
Since you’re home most of the time, you’re using your electricity more today than you have in months. While you can expect a higher utility bill during this quarantine period, you can also use this time to perform an electrical audit.
Do it yourself by following these steps:
- Monitor hot water usage. How much hot water do you use every day? Save up on your water bills by cutting down the length of your shower or choosing cold over hot-water laundry cycles.
- Check for air leaks. Drafty spaces and air leaks force your heater system and air conditioner to work harder and less efficiently. Check doorways and windows for leakage.
- Evaluate your attic insulation. Regardless of your home’s age, look for insulation gaps around chimneys, pipes, hatches, and entryways inside your attic.
Clean the Gutters
Gutters, despite often being unnoticed, are integral pieces of your home, especially if you live in wetter climates. Gutter systems protect your walls, roof, and foundation by controlling the flow of rainwater. Gutters congested with sticks, leaves, and other debris can cause interior water damage to your home or a leaky roof.
Cleaning out your gutter is an easy DIY project. All you need is a bucket, a ladder, a hose, and gloves so you can reach your roof gutters.
These easy DIY project ideas will not only keep your home sanitized and in good condition; they will also help you kill time productively.