To clean an estate, start by locating all important documents, which you’ll need to sort through. Have the mail forwarded, change the locks, and take inventory of the entire estate. Once you know what you’re dealing with, create a plan and a timeline for the cleanout. Start clearing out rooms and sorting items to donate, sell, or get rid of. Finally, deep clean the property.

A small amount of diluted bleach is okay to pour down a garbage disposal. As part of your weekly garbage disposal maintenance, use 1 teaspoon of bleach with your concoction of ice cubes and lemon peels. Turn on the disposal and run the water until the blades chop up the ice cubes.

Any more bleach in your disposal can harden oils and greases in your drain, which can cause problems. Always wear gloves when working with bleach, and know that you really don’t need bleach at all—vinegar, baking soda, salt, and ice should do the trick.

To maintain your mattress and keep it fresh, you should aim for a deep clean at least twice a year. However, if you have allergies, pets, or sweat heavily at night, you may want to clean it more frequently, such as every three to four months. In between deep cleanings, it's a good practice to vacuum the mattress surface regularly and spot-clean any stains as they occur. Using a mattress protector can significantly help by minimizing the buildup of allergens, dust mites, and bodily fluids, which can make your cleaning routine more effective. Remember to launder the protector regularly, as some dirt and sweat can still get through to the mattress.

Other than being really gross, not cleaning your bathroom can pose many potential health risks to you and those who use it. Bathrooms are a high-humidity zone where microorganisms thrive. Mold, mildew, yeast, and bacteria can build up quickly on your bathroom’s surfaces, causing respiratory issues, skin irritation, and illness.