Here at House Hacks Tips, it’s fair to say our entire team is a bit obsessed with all things homeownership. We spend the better part of our days immersed in housing news and trends, and are always on the hunt for hacks that not only save homeowners cash and boost home value, but also make life as a homeowner a little easier. So, when our editors came across some of these homeowner hacks, even the most tenured on our team were shocked to have never heard of them before.
But don’t worry–we won’t keep you in the dark any longer. Keep reading for our team’s list of homeowner hacks you won’t want to go a minute longer without knowing about!
Frost-Proof Your Outdoor Faucets
If you live in a climate prone to cold temperatures, you should be winterizing your outdoor faucets. This not only prevents a burst or frozen pipe, but can also reduce the risk of unsanitary water contaminating your home’s water system. Taking the time now to install a new outdoor, freeze-proof faucet will give you (and your home) peace of mind and protection all winter long.
Prevent Pests
When it comes to pests, most of our focus is on getting rid of them. Afterall, if pests aren’t around, aren’t you then essentially preventing them? Not necessarily…
Depending on the time of year, pests (like mice and insects) can be more prominent as they begin to seek shelter from cooler temperatures. Take preventative action now by looking over your exterior foundation, sealing up any holes, cracks, or leaks where critters could potentially crawl in and call home.
Take Your Shades to the Shower
Yes, you read that right! If you have venetian or paneled window blinds, you’re likely all-too familiar with how quickly they can accumulate dirt and dust.
Shave hours of scrubbing by putting your shades directly in the tub and running them under the shower. Let them air dry and rehang for a sponge-free, simpler way to clean your shades.
Hide Your Thermostat
While thermostats are essential to every home, we’ll be the first to admit that they aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing. Thankfully, a quick DIY project is all it takes to cover it up.
Grab a canvas wall art, a couple of hinges, and hang it in place over your thermostat. The backing of the canvas will provide enough space to cover the thermostat, and will trick even the most suspicious of house guests (ie: your mother-in-law).
Freshen Up Your Garbage Disposal
Okay, we may have heard of this one before, but it’s too good not to share again!
Keeping your garbage disposal clean not only keeps things smelling fresh, but also prevents food gunk and grime from building up and potentially clogging your kitchen sink (which is definitely not a fun task to unclog!). It also keeps the blades sharp, allowing you to extend the life of your disposal.
For an easy, scrub-free way to clean your garbage disposal, start by sprinkling about a half cup of baking soda into the garbage disposal, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit for ten to twenty minutes, then turn on the disposal and flush it down with hot water.
If you want your sink to smell even fresher, follow the process by putting some citrus peels in your disposal and letting the blades do the work to grind them up and release a fresh, citrusy scent into your kitchen.
Doors Can Double as Storage
If you have minimal storage space, use an over-the-door shoe organizer as bonus storage!
One of our House Hacks Tips writers heard this tip and immediately traded in her junk drawer for a closet door organizer. And, when asked if she’d recommend this to others, all she could say was “absolutely–it’s been life changing!”
Have a similar life-changing homeowner hack we should know about? Share it with our community in the comments.