Kitchen
Don't soak anything wooden, or let water sit on it, or put in dishwasher.
Don't use your knives to do non kitchen stuff (open boxes) to keep them sharp. Boxcutters are cheap, invest in a box.
Dishwasher, do not put the following in
knives
double walled cups (thermos etc) in dishwasher. This also includes the cutesy cups that have water and glitter the seal apparently busts in the wash cycle destroying the inner cute or ruining the air seal (that keeps hot things hot and cold things cold).
Dish soap, Dishwasher soap and dish soap are not interchangeable.
nonstick/teflon pans in the dishwasher
Anything wooden
cast iron
Oil your cutting boards to make them not warp / last longer
Do no soak nor dishwasher cast iron pans. http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/11/the-truth-about-cast-iron.html
Bathroom
Make sure the shower curtain liner is in the tub to avoid floods
A well hidden plunger in every bathroom can avoid messy situations.
Washing Clothes
Clean the dryer filter.
Remember to empty the water from your steam iron.
Some laundrymats will clean and fold your clothes - but you can also follow these directions http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Do-Your-Own-Laundry-basic/
Cleaning
Vinegar is great at cleaning most things.
Baking soda is great at cleaning many things.
Other
You need to change HVAC filters
You need to change water filter in fridge
You need to clean or change vacuum filters
Test your fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms twice a year, handy reminder is daylight savings time.
Close and lock your windows when going to sleep, at least on the ground floor, so you don't worry about every noise. optional - add bells
Things you should own
Screwdriver set
hammer
pliers
See also:
How to properly wash your hair tweet thread by Katelyn Bowden