[updated Febraury 2021]
“Pinch and a Punch, it’s the first of the month!” Let’s face it you will still hear someone say that or at least comment when it’s the first of the month. Rather than hurt someone 😉, use it as a reminder to do those regular checks and services that are so easy to forget for your body, your home, your car and your computer and mobile phone.
Use my 1st of the month checklist for handy tips, many of which are kinder on the environment too.
Here are a few that a quick and easy to do:
Self-examinations to detect and prevent cancer
Lumps – Men and ladies make sure you check for lumps in your bumps. It’s quick and easy to do in the shower and early detection can often result in far more successful outcomes.
Book tests – If you’ve been putting off booking your smear test or mammogram, or have concerns about your prostate, make that appointment today.
Do household safety checks and cleans every month
Alarms – Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Dishwasher – Put a cup of white vinegar on the bottom rack of your dishwasher on a hot wash to clean and freshen the insides.
Washing Machine – Put half a bag of soda crystals into the drum of your washing machine and run on a hot wash to prevent limescale build up
At the same time add a hefty squirt of white vinegar in the soap drawer to stop residue from washing detergents creating blockages and smells.
Be sure to leave the door of your washing machine ajar when not in use, to stop any mould forming on the seal.
Tumble Dryer – Double check there is no lint build up in the filter, although this should be done after every use to prevent risk of fire.
Microwave – Put a small bowl of lemon juice and water and heat on high for a couple of minutes (depending on your power output). Leave the door closed for a couple more minutes and the steam will loosen any debris, then simply wipe around the inside. Your kitchen will smell lovely too! To prevent debris getting all over the microwave interior, use
Dysons – If you have a Dyson hoover, remember to clean the filters out every three months. Use the 1st of January, April, July and October as a reminder.
Monthly health and safety checks for cars/vehicles
Cars – If you don’t do a lot of mileage it’s easy to forget, but make sure you check your tyres for wear and air pressure, that all your lights work and maintain oil and water levels regularly.
Computers, Laptops, Tablets & Mobile Phones
Electronic Filing – How many of do regular electronic filing? Try to get into the habit of sorting and deleting old emails, deleting duplicate photos and put the ones to keep into folders, clear cookies and cache files, and empty the recycle bin.
Broken Links – If you’re a blogger, run a broken link checker once a month. It’s much easier to do it regularly.
Do you have any tips for things you should do every month?
This is a great post as it’s reminded me that since becoming an ‘adult’, the 1st of the month has lost all meaning for me (except that it’s when my mortgage payment is due – not the most exciting of things!) I like the idea of using it as a prompt for more commonplace things – may have to start incorporating this into my life!
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I’m so pleased to hear this will remind you. I share it on my social media every 1st of month.
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Some great tips. Especially the washing machine & dishwasher ones 🙂
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Thank you, it just makes it easier to remember if you always do it on 1st month. Scuttles off to practice what I preach 😉
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Great tips, especially for the washing machine! We do so many loads and get a lot of detergent building up. Will add that to my husband’s To Do List 😉
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And it’s so cheap to do, with soda crystals at £1 for a big bag and white vinegar less than 50p which will last ages.
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