A new deck is a big expense whether you build it yourself or have it built. You will want to take care of the deck to keep it looking new and as beautiful as the day it was completed. If your deck is showing signs of grime, wear and tear, it may be time to get it cleaned and re-stained.

Make the most of your perennials by dividing and transplanting favorites that have outgrown their homes. planting flowersWhy divide and transplant? Plants need space to thrive. When they become too big for their garden spots, powdery mildew coats leaves, insects chow down on blooms and stems, and centers become brown. When you divide and transplant, each perennial — the new and old -- blooms more. Plus, divided plants are cheap plants — they fill in garden gaps and are a hit at neighborhood plant swaps.

Your bathroom, one of the rooms you clean most, hides areas that rarely see a scrub brush. It’s time to tackle these 5 nasty spots you probably forgot. But we presume you or someone else regularly swishes out the toilets, wipes out the tubs and sinks, and mops your bathroom flooring. But you may be missing some critical areas. With the help of Kristi Mailloux, president of Molly Maid, we’ve compiled a list of 5 bathroom spots home owners often forget to clean:

If Mr. Clean isn’t magically popping into your kitchen to make it sparkle, you still can get that clean satisfaction with these easy appliance cleaning tips. Your refrigerator The space behind your fridge is arguably the dirtiest couple of square feet in your house. It’s a meeting place for dust, water, and a host of other stuff that’s fallen behind the big guy. Pull out the refrigerator and mop up whatever you find. Most fridges today have wheels that make it easy to push and pull the fridge, but if yours doesn’t, try some furniture moving discs. Vacuum refrigerator coils behind or beneath your fridge. Doing so will prolong the life of your fridge.

Anyone can learn how to mulch and prolong the life of their landscaping. Here’s how. But you should blanket your garden beds at least twice a year -- in early spring and late fall — to retain moisture and keep down weeds. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to mulch correctly. How much is enough?

Check for loose or leaky gutters as they can lead to drainage issues that can allow water into your basement or crawl space. Downspouts should be clear of debris and drain away from the foundation.