Home is where the heart is, which is the reason why people invest heavily in building their abodes. Over time, as people settle in, their houses experience the usual wear and tear from prolonged use. Nonetheless, some signs of activity add to its character and testify to how it served its purpose as a haven for individuals or families.
Meanwhile, other people see signs of use as an omen to expand their horizons in housing. Although dabbling in real estate could open new opportunities for everyone, today’s economy, affected by inflation, recession, and global crises due to political conflicts, makes it challenging to acquire new properties.
If one is to check the prices of housing and condo units today, one will be shocked at their high rates, especially in highly developed areas. So, the best action for anyone with a house or interested in owning one is to maintain its quality. Proper home maintenance could help a property last for years despite continuous use.
There are several ways people can maintain their homes. One is to hire professionals to get the job done. But for those, who want to try a more hands-on and affordable approach, they turn to do-it-yourself solutions that work like a charm.
DIY home solutions are easily accessible and practical. It also allows homeowners to explore various ways to maintain their homes without breaking the bank.
An all-around cleaning solution
Vinegar is a kitchen staple that adds acidity to any meal or sauce. On the other hand, knowledgeable homeowners know there’s more to it than just being a condiment. With the appropriate measurements and combinations, vinegar is a powerful agent that could rid a home of pesky dust and dirt.
Most homeowners often worry about dust and dirt that pile up with the comings and goings of its occupants or even through prolonged neglect. Yet a cleaning agent with a vinegar base can clean just about anything, including countertops, sinks, and light fixtures, among other items within a home.
All they need is hot water and white vinegar. Measurements may vary per user and their preferences. They can also easily remove vinegar’s pungent smell with several drops of their preferred essential oils. With just a few spritzes and a good wiping down using this solution, homes can look and feel rejuvenated. It’ll also smell nicer.
Lemons are also an ideal alternative to vinegar because of their acidic properties. However, homeowners must exercise vigilance about the material they’re trying to wipe down. Vinegar or lemon-based solutions are often potent and could leave dull spots and wear down soft surfaces like marble and granite.
Nothing wrong with soap
If there’s one material that people love to use when cleaning their homes and most of their fixtures, it’s soap. Any dish soap or similar products that remove dirt and bacteria effectively will work just as fine—it’s also affordable. Just mix it with water and scrub the surface clean.
Many Filipino homes often feature wood flooring because of its cooling effect and natural ambiance. Mopping it with soap and water can easily remove any dirt or debris to keep it spick and span. Since floors receive the most foot traffic in any house, they need frequent cleaning to avoid damage.
A soap solution also works well for scrubbing walls. Some homeowners find cleaning their walls unusual, but these also accumulate dust and debris over time and require attention. Depending on the material, they can use soap solutions with more cleaning ingredients or diluted ones to remove any dirt to make their walls brighter.
Other homeowners who want to make the most from the properties of soap and white vinegar often mix the two ingredients, creating a solution that works well as a glass cleaner.
Fit for baking, cleaning, and deodorizing
Baking soda is another cleaning material that homeowners love using in their fixtures. Although it’s not as acidic as white vinegar or lemon, it’s a potent ingredient in solutions. Moreover, it’s a widely known deodorizer.
Through the years, homes get musty from various odors due to poor ventilation or other reasons. Baking soda can neutralize foul smells and is ideal for different surfaces.
Mixing baking soda with essential oils and water is also efficient as an upholstery cleaner. It removes any foul odors to make the upholstery smelling fresh. Still, homeowners should also be wary of the material of their upholstery. While some are sturdy against cleaning solutions, others require gentler solutions, or they’ll leave a permanent mark.
Apply a small amount of the baking soda, water, and essential oil solution to an inconspicuous area with upholstery. If it doesn’t leave a mark, proceed with the task. Reapply the solution whenever the surface needs refreshing.
Speaking of neutralizing foul smells, dumping baking soda and vinegar in sink drains removes any grime and odor in the pipes.
Just pour warm water down the drain to heat the pipes for a while before sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda. Follow it up with white vinegar and let sit for 10 minutes. The mixture will cause fizzing. Rinse with warm water for best results.
Pointers in cleaning and maintaining a home
Cleaning is an essential effort in maintaining a home’s quality. Homeowners need to keep track of the elements in their homes to see which ones need cleaning or replacement.
Before creating the solutions and going on a cleaning spree, they should prepare the items and other tools to make a more efficient effort. Investing in sturdy, quality mops, brooms, brushes, and more is an ideal step to get the best outcome from do-it-yourself home cleaning solutions.
Moreover, homeowners should also explore various ingredients for cleaning, natural or otherwise, and their properties to determine which best fits their fixtures and surfaces.
Homes are a significant investment in every person’s life. These provide shelter and a venue to create new memories with loved ones. Although time, dust, and dirt threaten its longevity, DIY solutions can address any issue and help homeowners maintain their home’s quality so they can further enjoy living in them.