November 2, 2022 - Mom Wife Wine

You live a busy life taking care of your kids, being the best you can be at work, and hitting the gym so you can stay fit, so the last thing you want to have to do is spend a lot of time on chores. Having a low-maintenance home can be life-changing.

Housework is not many people’s favorite thing, but it is necessary if you want to have a clean and tidy home that you and your family can really relax in, so what can you do to make chores more bearable?

You could use these hacks to make your home as low-maintenance as possible so you can spend as little time as possible on chores and still have and clean and comfortable home.

How to Hack Your Way to a Low-Maintenance Home

Wave goodbye to carpets

Carpets may feel nice underfoot, and they might look good in any home, but they are a lot of effort. You need to vacuum them regularly and shampoo them periodically to keep them looking their best, if someone spills food or drink on them, then scrubbing the stains out can be a nightmare to say the least. So, if you are serious about running a more low-maintenance home, getting rid of carpets and replacing them with wooden or tiled floors, which can be quickly swept and mopped clean, is a no-brainer.

Make your roof metal

Next time you need to replace the roof, opt for a metal option instead of slates and shingles. Why? Because metal roofs are better at withstanding the elements, less likely to get holes in them, and can last for 50 years or more with the proper care, which means you can spend much less time patching up the roof and much less money calling in professional roofers to make repairs. Your home will look great and be low-effort when you have a metal roof in place.

Upgrade your windows

Windows are often a major headache in the home. Theta re very good at attracting dust and dirt, and you need to keep them clean if you want to be able to have a nice view of the outdoors, and not feel embarrassed when the neighbors see how dusty they have become.

Installing new windows, like the ones on this website, which have between the glass blinds, is a good way to do this because they eliminate the need to dust down exterior blinds and window treatments, and when combined with a robotic window cleaner, that makes for a much less stressful life when it comes to keeping windows clean, at least.

Opt for leather couches for a Low-Maintenance Home

Leather couches are far better for homes with children and pets. Unlike other fabrics, leather can be wiped clean, and this means it is much less likely to end up stained and in need of a complicated cleaning process to get it looking its best. Leather is also much better at repelling pet smells and other odors than more porous fabrics which can tap bad smells in and leave you spending a whole lot of time on cleaning them up.

Add some siding

Siding your home is a great way to increase its curb appeal and add value to your property; it is also one of the most low-maintenance ways to protect your home’s exterior too. Siding is great withstanding the elements and will ensure that your home looks just as good a decade from now as it does on the day you have it installed. All you will need to do is jetwash it once or twice a year, whereas other options might need to be painted and cleaned much more often.

Decorate with washable paint

Decorating with washable paint and/or wallpaper is a no-brainer, especially if you have pets or children who have sticky hands and paws and a love of drawing on the walls! You will be able to simply wipe them clean so that they look as good as new, whereas if you opt for non-washable decor choices, you might have to repaint or hang a new wallpaper when the kids get out of hand.

Declutter

The less stuff you have, the less time you will need to spend dusting, cleaning, tidying, and putting away the things in your home, so if you want low maintenance, less is more.

Recap: Low-Maintenance Home

By making a few changes to your home now, you can save yourself a considerable amount of time in the future by making your home as low-maintenance as possible, and that means you will be able to spend less time cleaning and more time on the things that really matter!

Weatherproofing Made Simple: 3 Ways To Protect Your Home

How to Begin Weatherproofing Your Home

Windows and doors

As we hurtle towards winter, it’s beneficial to check the condition of windows and doors. Old, broken windows and warped frames can contribute to heat loss and they’re also likely to be more susceptible to damage if there’s a storm. Damaged windows, doors, and frames can also pose a security risk. If you live in an old house, have single glazing, or have a cracked door or window, consider replacing your doors and windows or using simple, inexpensive solutions to improve insulation. You can buy tape and seal from hardware stores to fill gaps and use draft excluders to keep warm air and prevent cold air from circulating through your living spaces. Double glazing is not cheap, but it is an investment that will save you money on your energy bills, enhance security, reduce noise and add value to your home.

Storm protection

2021 was the third most active in history in terms of Atlantic hurricanes. If you live in an area that is vulnerable to storms, cyclones, hurricanes or tornadoes, it’s wise to take steps to protect your home and family. Check the condition of your roof regularly, invest in robust windows and doors and clear your yard to prevent flying objects from damaging your home or other buildings in the street.

If your town or suburb is an area of high risk, it’s worth getting quotes for an underground tornado shelter, which you can use to escape the elements and stay safe if there are weather warnings. Choose solid and durable materials for windows, external doors and garage doors, and address weak points as soon as possible. If you have loose or missing roof tiles, for example, seek advice from reputable roofing firms. If you leave minor issues, they often develop into more serious problems, which increase the risk of damage and cost more to remedy.

External structures and surfaces

Changes in weather conditions can take their toll on the exterior of our homes. From patios, decks, and fences to porches and facades, it’s advantageous to weatherproof external structures before winter sets in. Apply a coat of varnish to woodwork, clear gutters and drains, and use paint that offers protection against the elements.

Recap: Weatherproofing

Extreme weather has become more common and more and more homes are at risk of storm damage and issues caused by flooding and powerful winds. Weatherproofing is designed to enhance protection and reduce risks. Tackle weak points, such as broken windows, single glazing, and roof damage, enhance storm protection and try to make the exterior of your house more resistant to rain, ice, wind, and snow. Simple solutions like varnishing external woodwork can make a big difference.