20 Tips To Take Care Of Your Home
I have been managing my home on my own without any external help for the last 6 years. This time has been filled with trials and errors. I have moved house 4 times in the past 6 years so each time I got the chance to do it again and to do it better than before.
Here are a few of the housekeeping tips that have been tried and tested that work for me and should work for you too:
1. Change bedsheets at least once a week. Bedding may look clean but can often be covered in lots of dead skin cells that attract dust mites.
2. In the evening switch to soft and relaxing yellow lights, they are indeed calmer. For many years I didn’t believe this to be true, but a friend of mine after much persuading convinced me to try it and I have never changed back.
3. Vinegar is extremely useful for cleaning in your kitchen. It’s cheap, cuts through tough grease and leaves everything sparkling.
4. Buy one all-purpose cleaner for all types of cleaning around the house.
5. Put water into your plant trays and the plant will itself take the required amount.
6. If you want low maintenance plants, buy one that can survive in the water like a money plant or bamboo plant.
7. Put thick curtains on the windows. They keep your home cosy and warm in winters and also keep your bedroom dark enough for a good night’s sleep.
8. Do closet cleaning every 6 months. This means donating the clothes that we don’t wear any more. Keeping them won’t return the money we spent on them.
9. Buy pieces of furniture that are simply designed but yet can do multiple things. Like a bed with storage and a sofa which can easily be converted into a bed for a visitor.
10. Buy the best mattress that you can afford. A good mattress is literally an investment. I learned this the hard way. 4 years back, I had to move into a new place for a few months and I bought a cheaper mattress, my life became hell with the shoulder pain, neck pain and sleep deprivation. I soon replaced it with a good mattress and life changed for the better within a week. Now every time I move in, I keep the highest budget for a mattress. Though bedframes can be kept simple.
11. Use simple quality cotton bed sheets, no embroideries ever. They rub against your skin and give you wrinkles. Use the softest pillow covers.
12. Wash your clothes inside out and on the shortest wash cycle possible, unless they are really dirty.
13. Read the washing and care instructions of everything you buy. It shouldn’t be too demanding or complicated to take care of your possessions.
14. Stainless steel vessels are good for daily use and classy enough to host. They need no special care.
15.Store things where they are needed. Like your iron and ironing board near your closet.
16. Read the ingredients of your cosmetics. At best avoid parabens, sulphates, silicones, and synthetic colours or fragrances. Know what you use.
17. When buying a new product for the first time try to buy them in the smallest amount available or even get a sample if possible.
18. Always use rubber or latex hand gloves while using any chemicals or while cleaning. Cleaning products should not touch your skin.
19. Try to store your herbs like coriander, parsley and mint in the refrigerator with their stems soaked in water.
20. Take care of how your home smells. I burn sage and defuse essential oils in the air to give a pleasing smell to my house.
