Chores around the house can be expensive. When you look at the combined cost of all the cleaning products or the amount you pay someone unnecessarily, it can really add up. But there are some steps you can take to ensure that the job is done properly, while saving yourself a few pennies (and dollars) along the way.
Maintenance and repairs
Maintenance and repair of your home can be expensive. There are plenty of jobs you can do yourself, rather than pay someone else to do them. These include painting and decorating, cleaning vents and filters to prevent more serious problems from occurring, cleaning the coils on your refrigerator to prevent the generator from having to work harder than it should, gardening, and clearing the gutters of leaves and debris. Some jobs though, such as those that involve electricity, are best left to the experts.
When you do have to call in the experts, using a local company will ensure the work is carried out as cost effectively as possible. It will be cheaper in the long run, they are more likely to have knowledge of the specific properties in the area, and should anything else go wrong, you can more easily ask them to come back. You are also doing your bit to support local businesses in the area, and therefore, the improvement of your community. For example, for your garagerepair, whether it is a broken spring or remote control issues, Pro-Line Garage Door Service offers free repair estimates and will not surprise you with hidden fees.
Saving money on cleaning products
There are many products you can use to clean your house that could be more economical and better for the environment as well. Consider the following:
• White vinegar will kill about 90 percent of household germs.
• Lemon juice neutralizes odors, removes stains, and cuts through grease.
• Salt is a good abrasive and can be used to remove red wine stains.
• Castile soap is effective at removing grease.
• Pure essential oils can be added to cleaning solutions to make them smell good, and some essential oils also possess antimicrobial properties as well.
• Borax can be used to deodorize odors, clean toilets, and brighten grout.
• Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, cuts through grease.
• Vegetable and plant-based oils can be used to moisturize and polish wood as well as polish stainless steel.
• Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant.
• Rubbing alcohol can be used to clean blinds and windows
You can make your own all-purpose cleaner with a teaspoon of borax, distilled or purified water, a quarter of a cup of castile soap, and a teaspoon of lemon juice.
Running a dishwasher and a tumble dryer unnecessarily is a waste of money. If you rinse off or remove food that will become caked onto baking dishes, you can use a more economical setting on your dishwasher. Hang laundry outside whenever you can to avoid using the tumble dryer. Even the very mildest and most gentle breeze will air your clothes and the worst of the moisture will be removed, meaning they will dry quicker when you bring them in. And if there is some sun and a bit of a breeze, even better.
Often, you can save money on household necessities by making a few simple changes to your daily routine. Go ahead and try it!
