Around the home techniques make daily life easier, cleaner, and more efficient. Whether someone wants to speed up their cleaning routine, organize cluttered spaces, or handle basic repairs, the right methods save both time and money. Most homeowners and renters face the same challenges: rooms that collect dust faster than expected, drawers stuffed with items they can’t find, and small maintenance issues that turn into expensive problems. This guide covers practical solutions for each of these common situations. Readers will find straightforward tips they can apply immediately, no special tools or expert skills required.
Key Takeaways
- Around the home techniques for cleaning, organizing, and basic repairs save time, money, and reduce daily stress.
- Use natural solutions like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon to clean kitchens and bathrooms without harsh chemicals.
- Apply the one-in-one-out rule to prevent clutter buildup and maintain organized spaces long-term.
- Fix common issues like running toilets and clogged drains yourself with inexpensive tools and simple methods.
- Reduce energy bills by sealing air leaks, using programmable thermostats, and eliminating phantom power drain from electronics.
Essential Cleaning Techniques for Every Room
A clean home starts with the right around the home techniques for each space. Different rooms have different needs, and using the correct approach makes the job faster and more effective.
Kitchen Cleaning Basics
The kitchen requires daily attention because food residue attracts pests and bacteria grow quickly on surfaces. Wipe down counters after each meal with a mixture of dish soap and warm water. For stubborn grease, apply a paste of baking soda and water, let it sit for five minutes, then scrub with a non-abrasive sponge.
Clean the microwave by heating a bowl of water with lemon slices for three minutes. The steam loosens dried food, making it easy to wipe away. Don’t forget to pull out the refrigerator once a month and vacuum the coils, this simple step extends the appliance’s life.
Bathroom Strategies
Bathrooms need frequent cleaning to prevent mold and mildew buildup. Spray shower walls with a vinegar-water solution after each use. This around the home technique takes seconds but prevents hours of scrubbing later.
Toilet bowls stay fresher when cleaned twice weekly with a brush and standard cleaner. For hard water stains, pour half a cup of white vinegar into the bowl, let it sit overnight, and scrub in the morning.
Living Areas and Bedrooms
Dust accumulates fastest in living spaces where people spend the most time. Work from top to bottom, start with ceiling fans and light fixtures, then move to shelves, and finish with floors. This method prevents dust from settling on already-cleaned surfaces.
Vacuum carpets weekly and deep clean them every six months. For hardwood floors, use a damp mop rather than a wet one to avoid water damage. These around the home techniques keep living spaces fresh without excessive effort.
Simple Organization Methods That Save Time
Good organization reduces stress and saves hours each week. The best around the home techniques for organization focus on creating systems that work long-term, not quick fixes that fall apart.
The One-In-One-Out Rule
Clutter builds up when items enter a home faster than they leave. The one-in-one-out rule solves this problem: for every new item brought in, one similar item goes out. Buy a new shirt? Donate an old one. Get a new kitchen gadget? Remove one that’s gathering dust.
This around the home technique works because it maintains balance without requiring major decluttering sessions.
Zone-Based Storage
Store items where they’re used. Keep coffee mugs near the coffee maker, cleaning supplies in each bathroom rather than one central closet, and frequently worn shoes by the door. This approach eliminates wasted trips across the house.
Create designated spots for items that tend to wander, keys, wallets, phones, and mail. A small tray or hook by the entrance prevents the morning scramble of searching for essentials.
Vertical Space Usage
Most homes have unused vertical space. Install floating shelves in bathrooms for towels and toiletries. Use over-door organizers in closets and pantries. Stack bins in garage corners instead of spreading items across the floor.
These around the home techniques maximize storage without requiring additional square footage.
DIY Maintenance and Repair Basics
Small problems become expensive repairs when ignored. Basic around the home techniques for maintenance help homeowners handle common issues themselves.
Fixing a Running Toilet
A running toilet wastes up to 200 gallons of water daily. The fix usually takes fifteen minutes. Remove the tank lid and check the flapper, a rubber seal at the bottom. If it’s warped or cracked, replace it. Flappers cost under five dollars at any hardware store.
If the flapper looks fine, adjust the float. It may be set too high, causing water to continuously flow into the overflow tube.
Unclogging Drains Without Chemicals
Chemical drain cleaners damage pipes over time. Instead, try this around the home technique: pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Cover the drain and wait fifteen minutes, then flush with boiling water.
For stubborn clogs, use a drain snake. Insert it into the drain, rotate it to catch debris, and pull it out. This tool costs around ten dollars and works better than chemicals.
Patching Small Holes in Walls
Nail holes and small dents are easy fixes. For holes smaller than a quarter inch, apply spackling paste with a putty knife. Let it dry, sand it smooth, and touch up with paint.
Larger holes need a patch kit. These kits include adhesive mesh that covers the hole, providing a surface for the spackling compound. The entire process takes about an hour, including drying time.
Energy-Saving Practices for a More Efficient Home
Energy costs continue to rise, making efficiency-focused around the home techniques more valuable than ever. Simple changes reduce bills without sacrificing comfort.
Heating and Cooling Adjustments
Heating and cooling account for nearly half of a typical home’s energy use. Setting the thermostat just two degrees lower in winter and two degrees higher in summer reduces energy consumption by up to 10%.
Programmable thermostats automate these adjustments. They lower heating at night and while the house is empty, then restore comfortable temperatures before residents return. This around the home technique saves money without requiring daily attention.
Sealing Air Leaks
Drafty windows and doors force HVAC systems to work harder. Check for leaks by holding a lit candle near window edges and door frames, if the flame flickers, air is escaping.
Weatherstripping and caulk fix most leaks. Apply weatherstripping around door frames and caulk gaps around window panes. These materials cost under twenty dollars and often pay for themselves within one heating season.
Smart Appliance Use
Appliances consume energy even when turned off. Plug electronics into power strips and switch off the strip when devices aren’t in use. This around the home technique eliminates “phantom” energy drain.
Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads. Use cold water for laundry when possible, heating water accounts for about 90% of a washing machine’s energy use.
