Many boring tasks have to be done daily: washing dishes, spraying and wiping kitchen countertops, picking up toys from the floor, sweeping. And then there are those which are fortunately much less frequent. It will always be boring that we have to do Following things, but at least some of them are just occasional – and luckily the following household chores only need to be done once a year.

Clean your gutters

Once a year, after all the leaves have fallen, a thorough cleaning of the gutters is necessary. When gutters accumulate debris, they become breeding grounds for rodents, pests and molds. Gutters clogged with leaves, sticks and those spiky, spiky gum seeds can lead to drainage issues, a leaky roof, or water damage inside or outside your home; According to Maple Roofing & Construction, the rainwater that the gutters are supposed to drain from the house can end up dripping too close to the foundation, compromising its stability. If you’re worried about taking on the task yourself, you’ll need a sturdy ladder, thick gloves, and a hose – or just find a local gutter cleaning service. The best time to do this is late November / early December.

Wash (the outside of) your windows

While most of us can spray Windex inside our windows as needed (like after a child happily slides an entire Go-Gurt over one), it’s easy. to forget that they also have exteriors. You may want to hire a professional for upper floors, but downstairs windows can be easily washed with soap, water and a sponge, mop, or squeegee. Spruce recommends doing this in late fall, to let in more light after the dreaded loss of daylight saving time.

Wash your curtains, drapes and blinds

After collecting dust, odors, grease, and hairspray all year round, window treatments need some love too. Once a year, remove curtains and drapes, read their care instructions and clean them accordingly, either at home on the gentle cycle or at the dry cleaner. (Dust off the curtain rods while you’re at it.) Take a step ladder and hand vacuum (or your vacuum’s upholstery accessory) to remove dust from the valances, and a microfiber cloth to wipe down the blinds.

Clean the chimney

The National Fire Protection Association recommends that chimneys and wood-burning fireplaces be cleaned and inspected at least once a year to prevent creosote buildup and prevent home fires. To clean the chimney, vacuum all the ashes, close the valve and wipe down the andirons with a solution of white vinegar and water. Maintaining the chimney will likely require a professional brave enough to climb your roof. Note: In a somewhat counterintuitive way, gas fireplaces need to be cleaned more often.

Get rid of your mattress of filth

To quote me: the mattresses are disgusting. For those who don’t regularly cleanse their sleep haven, here’s your reminder: not only are these bacteria breeding graveyards for our saliva, sweat, and dead skin cells, but they’re basically a community of chic, residential homes. closed for millions mites. So once a year remove and wash the cover with hot water, vacuum the top and sides, clean the stains with hydrogen peroxide, then give it a baking soda bath or vinegar. (You can also steam clean it.) Whichever method you choose, we beg you to do so.

Empty the garage

While it’s tempting to leave bicycles, unused clothing, and old gardening tools piled up, if you care about efficient storage, your sanity, and the possibility of walking around in the car without tripping is not recommended. Once a year, resolve to beautify and organize the garage. Perform a thorough purge of old or unused items, sweep away dust and leaves, and check for damage from moisture or insect infestations.

Shampoo your rugs and upholstered furniture

Listen, the rugs we used to know. But do all our upholstery fabrics too? This was bad news, but to keep its vessel shape and last longer, it’s best to deep clean once a year. Hire a specialist or do it yourself with a rented cleaning machine or your vacuum cleaner, baking soda, washing-up liquid and vinegar.

Empty the pantry

During fall, give your pantry a makeover. Take everything out, wipe down the shelves, put on new contact paper, check the expiration dates, and rearrange (with items closest to their expiration date in plain view). Mix up old baking ingredients, make sure you have the supplies you need for holiday baking, and if you’re feeling extra ambitious, take care of the kitchen cabinets and drawers as well. It might not be fun, but the relief you’ll feel when you can grab something from your water bottle shelf without four unrelated things falling apart? Invaluable.