Few of us actually enjoy housework. We simply accept it as one of lifeβs necessary evils. But what if you didnβt have to spend so much time doing housework each week? Better still, what if it was possible to even eliminate certain household chores from your life?
One solution is to hire people to do your housework for you, but this can be expensive in the long run. A better option may be to simply invest in several low maintenance home upgrades. Below are just a few examples that can save you time in the long run.
Dishwasher
Are you still washing your dishes up by hand? A dishwasher can eliminate the task of having to do the dishes. Instead you can simply put your plates, drinkware and cutlery in a rack, before pressing a button and letting a machine do all the work for you.
But donβt you still have to pre-rinse plates before putting them in the dishwasher? No. Contrary to what many people think, itβs actually better to put plates in a dishwasher without rinsing the food debris off as detergent is designed to bind to food debris. Scraping off loose food into the bin is usually all thatβs necessary.
Tumble dryer
If you still hang your washing out to dry on a line or a clothes horse, consider whether it could be time to buy yourself a tumble dryer. These appliances can reduce time spent hanging up clothing items individually, allowing you to quickly shove laundry into your dryer instead.
Tumble dryers typically do require some maintenance such as cleaning out the lint filter and emptying the water tank (on a condenser dryer). However, such tasks take a few seconds, so youβll still save a lot of time overall.
Laminate floors
Carpets have their advantages such as being softer, warmer and better insulators against noise. However, when it comes to cleaning, laminate floors are clearly the more convenient flooring option. Pet hair can be easily swept up, while spillages and food debris can be wiped away with a wet mop. This is certainly not the case with carpets, which typically require thorough vacuuming and possibly even a carpet cleaning machine in order to get stains out.
Of course, you can still vacuum laminate floors if you prefer. However, sweeping and mopping is generally easier. Just be wary that laminate can still stain if spillages arenβt cleaned up immediately and that scratches can be an issue.
Robot vacuum
Another way to eliminate the task of vacuuming is to invest in a robot vacuum cleaner. These gadgets are much cheaper than many people realise and can save you a lot of time.
Robot vacuums may not always be able to get into corners and youβll still need to move furniture for them. However, they can otherwise do all the work for you.
Artificial grass
While some people take great pride in looking after their lawns, many of us find lawn care to be nothing but a chore. If youβre one of these people, it could be time to consider synthetic turf. This artificial grass doesnβt need to be cut or watered and will look good all year round.
It is still worth occasionally hosing down your lawn and brushing it. But otherwise you shouldnβt have to give it much attention.
Shower panels
One of the most painstaking bathroom cleaning tasks is having to clean tiles – largely due to the grout, which may need to be regularly scrubbed or sprayed with solutions to stop it attracting grease and mould. Shower panels are a much easier-to-clean alternative to bathroom tiles. They have no grouting and can be simply wiped down with a cloth. It is a game changer!
You may still get some debris building up on panels, but you generally wonβt have as big an issue with mould. Still prefer the look of tiles? You can always buy shower panels that look like tiles to get around this.
Air purifier
On the topic of mould, one effective way to reduce the spread of this fungus is to buy an air purifier. This can remove mould spores from the air to prevent mould settling in other places. Air purifiers can also remove dust from the air, preventing the need to dust your home as frequently. On top of this, they can remove a range of other contaminants such as pollen, radon and cigarette smoke.
Air purifiers require little maintenance beyond cleaning out filters. Some have replaceable filters, which make life even easier.
