Several reasons explain why people would choose an easy-to-clean home over the opposite. The two main reasons, however, are the positive impact on the environment and the minimization of house chores. On average, homeowners spend up to 4% a year to keep their spaces in top shape. And with increasing expenses, several more would choose homes that are easy to clean if they had the chance. Below is some more information on creating a home that doesn’t require much effort to run. If you’re revamping soon, these suggestions will be helpful.
1. Improve cross ventilation
According to the EPA, many homes in the country have poor indoor air quality due to a lack of proper ventilation. However, proper flow of air in and out of a room ensures that indoor air is adequately filtered and devoid of pollutants. This is because outdoor air has a higher percentage of oxygen and forces warm, usually pollutant-dense air out. Additionally, it helps cool the interiors on hot days. This makes it necessary to make proper ventilation a priority in your home.
One effective way to ensure cross ventilation is to have floor-to-ceiling windows. Their sheer sizes increase natural airflow in and out of the house. A properly ventilated house will also mean less reliance on ceiling fans and an HVAC system during the hot months. Therefore, these home appliances will function and break down less. Therefore they will be ready for use when you need them, so keep this in mind.
2. Choose window frames wisely
There are several options for window frames but choosing the right one makes all the difference in housekeeping. At a time when easy-to-clean homes have become increasingly desirable, window frames with features that require less effort are preferred. These features include resistance to the weather’s vagaries even after years of use. They also play a role in conserving energy, making them ideal choices for effortless housekeeping.
Today, there are varieties of such window frames that are affordable. Vinyl window frames, fiberglass, and aluminum options are excellent examples. Aside from these, manufacturers continue to research other materials that offer high performance but require less effort to preserve. This has led to the discovery of wooden frames clad in vinyl. You would have to conduct thorough research or speak to experts, like Renewal by Andersen window replacement, who offer such installations about whether it will be the best for your home.
3. Consider your flooring options
The average life expectancy of low-quality flooring is 8 to 10 years. On the other hand, a high-quality option can last up to thirty years. Others can exceed that timeline with proper care and professional installation. One important factor is how easy it is to keep these flooring options in shape. Some features homeowners look for in this regard include durability, anti-scratch properties, ease of cleaning, and resistance to intense foot traffic. Marble, luxury vinyl tiles, quarry, epoxy, and polished concrete are some low-effort flooring options to keep in mind for your home. It helps to make your flooring choices based on whether you have kids or pets, so feel free to consider this.
4. Put a lot of thought into creating a low-effort garden
This is a good choice for people who love gardens and plants but do not have the time to keep one in shape. Many homes around the country keep an outdoor garden for many purposes. For instance, some want it purely for curb appeal, while others will use it to hold small parties. Many others, however, keep ornamental gardens simply for the love of it.
The first thing to consider is the type of plants that would likely thrive in the soil around your property. Different plants require varied soil types to grow. For example, plants that require low effort, like shrubs, only do well in loam soil. On the other hand, Artemisia, Sedum, and Bearded Iris will grow beautifully in sandy soil. Finding this information early will influence the type of flora to keep in your garden. Remember to plant your garden at least three to five feet away from your home’s foundation.
You’ll also need to think about the possibility of unwanted pests in your garden like insects and rodents. While you might want to keep costs down as much as possible, using a Pest Control Company in instances like these is the best idea. Getting rid of pests isn’t easy, and keeping them away for good is even harder!
5. Invest in low-maintenance walls
The walls are one of the first things that get stained in and around the house. Especially when you have pets and young children, your walls are three times more likely to require a new coat of paint. Regular painting of these walls does nothing to push the low-maintenance agenda. This is why it helps to consider Grafi and other textured wall options if you want effortless upkeep. They don’t require frequent painting and are excellent for homes with young children and pets.
The downside of textured walls is the risk of complex cleaning due to the rough surfaces. If that would be a bother, washable painted walls might be better for you. You can easily remove stains with a wet sponge and mild detergent without discoloring the surfaces. Usually, paint containing egg shells and satin finishes is washable. Their glossy appearance is what helps in removing stains without affecting paint color.
6. Use stone exteriors for the home
Stone exteriors beautify the home and give it its distinctive appearance. Apart from their aesthetic appeal, they are durable and require low effort to clean and keep in shape. And fortunately, most stone exteriors require no paint job. Especially when the stones are carefully sourced in various colors, there would be no need to polish or beautify them further. According to builders, more people choose stone exteriors because of their many benefits. They are fire retardant, excellent replacements for plastic siding, and are sustainable materials.
In an era where building materials are increasingly expensive, it pays to look for viable alternatives. Non-sustainable building materials will require extra processes to beautify your home’s exterior. Automatically, that increases cost, coupled with repairs and replacements in a few years. Others may argue that stones are more expensive, but compared to the long-term benefits, they are worth the price. Hopefully, you will see it from that perspective.
7. Focus on making the entire home easy to clean
One essential purpose of having a low-effort home is not having to spend too many resources like time and energy cleaning. This means finding efficient ways to carry out housekeeping activities, from laundry to lawn mowing. For example, try to plan your storage effectively by creating space for everything such that you don’t generate clutter in your home. So when you buy groceries, you can transfer them into designated, labeled packaging so that you can throw away plastic and boxes you won’t need. When purchasing upholstery, close ones that are easy to wash and won’t put much pressure on your machine. Additionally, using less effort to clean is likely energy-efficient and cost-effective long term. It is also more convenient since you will get things done faster. Additionally, your house will be clean all the time, and there will be no room for pests and other unwanted guests.
Indeed, owning a house is the most important investment for many people. Consequently, it helps to put in all you’ve got to enjoy your property for a long time. This includes ensuring that keeping it running does not stress you out. Low-effort housekeeping upkeep may seem like a lazy approach to some. However, being efficient and working smart is often more productive than the hard way. The initial cost of going efficient might seem high, but the benefits are worth it. The tips highlighted here should get you started.
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