What to Do When You Are Bored at Home

7/18/2016 (Permalink)

By Brent Glasgow

Run out of TV shows for binge watching? Surf the internet from beginning to end? Don't know what to do when bored?

There are many quick household chores good for killing time and sprucing up your residence. Fit one or more of these in the next time boredom strikes.

Change HVAC air filter

Photo by Brandon Smith

Everyone likes to save cash and breathe air that doesn't resemble Beijing in the summertime. You should check air filters for air conditioner and furnace once a month, and change them at least every three months, especially in the summer and winter. Many folks wait longer, to their detriment. The simple rule: If it looks dirty, replace it.

The U.S. Department of Energy says changing home air filters regularly can cut your electricity bill by up to 15 percent. Clean filters help your HVAC system achieve optimal functionality and extend its life.

Dusting, cleaning kitchen cabinets

Photo by Summer Galyan

For those whose kitchen cabinets aren't flush with the ceiling, when was the last time you looked on top? Even people who keep their cabinet interiors tidy often find tops that look like something out of the Dust Bowl.

If your cabinets need a good once-over, grab a chair, a rag and your dust spray. You'll have it done in no time. To make the job easier in the future, line the top with wax paper, which you can simply remove when the sheets become dusty.

Clean garbage disposal

Photo by Katelin Kinney

Does your sink smell like last Wednesday's tuna casserole? Whether you own the best garbage disposal on the market or an inexpensive one, they all need a freshening every now and then. With a few common household items, you can make your own garbage disposal cleaner.

Pour a half cup of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar down your disposal, then follow five minutes later with three cups of hot water. Pour in two cups of ice and one cup of salt, then run the faucet on cold until that dissolves. Finally, cut a lemon in half, and with the cold water and disposal running, put each half down in 10-second intervals.

Clean refrigerator coils

Yes, your refrigerator contains coils, and they're very important. Cleaning them twice annually can save you more than $100 a year in energy costs and keep the repairman at home. Check out this video on how to do the job right, and remember to unplug the fridge, or dirty coils will be the least of your problems:

Quick home inspection

Hopefully, you'd notice home exterior damage like what's shown in the photo below, but it usually isn't so dramatic. High winds, storms, animals, birds and kids all can cause dings to siding, brick, gutters and more, that might escape initial view.