6 Home Maintenance Hacks that Will Save You Time and Money

As a homeowner, home maintenance is part of the experience of having your own abode. While it may be tempting to hire professional contractors to take care of your home, it’s much cheaper and easier to tackle some maintenance projects yourself. Though some home maintenance and repairs can be intimidating and may seem a little complex, there are plenty of DIY tips to follow to keep your home in tip-top shape.

Here are 6 home maintenance hacks that will save you time and money.

1. Use Vinegar

Vinegar is great for cooking but it’s even better when used to clean various parts of your home. White vinegar can be used for a wide range of household purposes including:

• Cleaning windows
• Removing grime from the microwave
• Disinfecting countertops
• Removing limescale from stainless steel (showerheads, faucets, etc.)
• Cleaning bathroom grout

Instead of spending all sorts of money on multi-cleaning solutions from the store, you can reach for a cheap ingredient that you’re bound to already have in your kitchen. Not a fan of how vinegar smells? Create a DIY solution using a mix of water, vinegar, and an essential oil like lavender or eucalyptus.

2. Peeling Floor Tiles

There’s nothing less appealing than floor tiles that no longer lay flat. Not only is this problem ugly to look at, it can also be a serious tripping hazard. While you may think you need to purchase replacement floor tiles, there’s an even cheaper option: an iron.

To press warped floor tiles back to their original location, cover them with aluminum foil. Then use a hot iron to soften the flooring. Peel the tile back and scrape any dried adhesive and debris. Once clean, apply new glue and press the tile back down. Use a heavy object to properly secure the tile.

3. Door Maintenance

Over the years doors can become difficult to operate. To keep your door closing and gliding easily, there are a few maintenance tips to practice.

First, remove any dirt and debris from sliding glass door tracks. Debris in the track creates friction and makes it much harder to open and close the door. Once all debris has been removed, lubricate the track as needed.

The next door maintenance tip is to properly secure swing doors to their hinges. This will ensure that doors close completely without having to pull or slam them shut. Properly secured hinges will also minimize squeaks.

4. Drain Hot Water Heater

Over the years, your hot water heater will accumulate a buildup of sediment that includes lime, calcium, and other minerals. The sediment eventually starts to harden which makes it much harder for the hot water heater to efficiently heat water.

To keep the hot water heater working at its best, drain the tank completely at least once a year, though the more often the tank is drained, the better. Draining the tank removes buildup and other debris.

5. Get Rid of Dust & Debris from Appliances

Dirt, dust, and other debris have a great way of getting into all of the nooks and crannies in your home. To keep your appliances in tip top shape, be sure to clean the debris out of grates, vents, and coils. This includes the exhaust vent, washing machine, HVAC unit, dishwasher, and the refrigerator.

To best remove debris, use a duster or a shop-vac with powerful suction to pull out unwanted dirt and dust.

By removing debris on a routine basis, you can greatly improve the performance and efficiency of your appliances. In fact, according to the Consumer Energy Center, cleaning fridge coils can reduce energy usage by up to 30%.

6. Stop Drafts

Air drafts make it much harder for your HVAC system to maintain your home’s temperature. Thankfully there are all sorts of ways to minimize air drafts which will reduce your energy usage and costs.

If you have a drafty door, use a rolled up towel and place it at the bottom of the door to minimize air loss. Drafty windows can be sealed with plastic wrap that’s tightened using a hairdryer. Weather-stripping and caulk can also be used on doors and windows to cut down on drafts.

If your home has an attic and/or a garage, cut down on air drafts by adding insulation. A layer of insulation is beneficial all-season long.

Conclusion

At times owning a home can be quite frustrating. Thankfully there are all sorts of maintenance hacks that you can use to save time, money, and plenty of frustration. Be sure to routinely follow these 6 tips to properly maintain your home.

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