Nobody really likes to spend their time on household chores. There are so many things to do that are infinitely more exciting. Who wants to be folding clothes or replacing missing roof tiles when they could be out for lunch or shopping with friends? Yet, there are times when household duties simply cannot be avoided.
When these times arrive, the trick is always to work smarter rather than harder. If you are clever and employ the right tips and lifehacks, you can get your chores done in half the time. So, cut the grumbling and face that long list of jobs head on – the faster you get them done, the faster you can pour yourself a well-deserved wine and relax in the garden.
Inspect Gutters Regularly
It is surprising how many homeowners neglect the health of their guttering and roof tiles. Yet, if you keep your guttering in tip top condition, you can avoid all kinds of nasty water related problems. If you find yourself constantly dealing with damp or mould patches, you could have cracked or obstructed gutters.
When this happens, rainwater cannot be moved safely away from the property. It may spill over the guttering and pool around the foundations of the house. This is very bad news, because it usually leads to damp and can even cause flooding. To prevent this, repair cracks and remove obstructions as soon as you spot them.
Shorten Your Dryer Vent Hose
If you shorten the vent hose on your dryer, you can actually reduce the amount of time that it takes to dry clothes. This saves money on electricity and it saves time. To do this, you first need to completely shut down and disconnect the hose. Remove any dirt or debris inside. The best way to do this is to vacuum the interior of the pipe.
Then, cut the hose down to a length that allows you to safely pull the dryer out from the wall, but does not leave a lot of slack. The shorter the hose, the fewer obstructions will form in the line and the more efficiently your dryer will operate. On average, clothes dry around 25% faster than normal.
Use a Shoe Hanger for Supplies
If you need a quick and convenient place to store your cleaning supplies, pick up a cheap over the door shoe hanger. The pockets are the perfect size for spray bottles, creams, and other products. This is a useful life hack, because it prevents cupboards from becoming cluttered with bottles. It also places all of your cleaning supplies in an easily accessible location.
If you hang the shoe rack in a utility room, your cleaning supplies will always be on hand when you need them. They won’t fall over, spill, burst their lids, or clutter up worktops. If you have young children, storing cleaning chemicals in this way is much more likely to keep them safe. Put a lock on the door, so that little hands cannot go prying.
Remove Scorch Marks Fast
You can use a vinegar and baking soda solution to remove unsightly scorch marks from the bottom of metal pans. Usually, this requires a lot of vigorous scrubbing, but the two ingredients above will act as a gentle abrasive and lift the dirt away. All you have to is fill a pan with enough water to cover its base.
Then, add a cup of white vinegar. Simmer on a low heat for around five minutes. Next, remove the pan from the stove and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Allow to rest for a few minutes, empty out the water, and scrub softly with a wire brush or sponge. The scorch marks should come away easily and quickly.
If you can cut the time that it takes to do household chores in half, you can spend more time doing the things that you love. Whether it is playing with your kids, walking in the park, or cooking dinner for friends, work smarter so that you can enjoy yourself faster.