(ARA) – Until it’s affordable for everyone to get a robot maid, household chores aren’t going away. Since merely ignoring your duties is not an option, experts say you can at least save time by modifying your habits so you can work more efficiently.
By working smarter, and sometimes, purchasing the right equipment, you can cut into the time you spend cleaning and devote more time to doing things you love. Here are a few examples of how you can save time around the house.
Laundry
If you’re like most folks, you probably consider laundry to be one of the most time-consuming household chores – 66 percent of adults said doing laundry is a major time drain in a nationwide poll conducted for LG Electronics. So what better place to start when looking to become more efficient?
One of the best laundry tips is to make sure you are doing full loads, reducing the number of total loads you will have to do – and helping you save money and energy. If you are in the market for a new washer and dryer, ultra-large capacity is definitely something to consider.
Some of the most popular ultra-capacity washers use steam technology that provides additional energy savings and advanced cleaning options, but independent labs show they aren’t all the same. TrueSteam washers from LG, for instance, clean 21 percent better than the other leading brand’s steam cycle, according to third party lab testing. Another convenient washing option includes a speed cycle that quickly washes slightly dirty clothes in 15 minutes. In addition, these washers are ENERGY STAR qualified, using 50 percent less water and are up to 86 percent more efficient than average washing machines, even with their larger capacity.
To prevent wrinkling and the subsequent need for ironing, retrieve and fold clothes immediately when they are dry. Ending drying sessions with a cool-down session can also prevent wrinkles. Today’s best-performing advanced clothes dryers include a steam generator, which produces true steam that is added to drying cycles to help remove wrinkles. For the best performance, be sure to look for true steam, not washers and dryers that just inject cold water spray mist into the cycle.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming can either be something that saves time or causes more headaches depending on how you use your vacuum cleaner. Be sure to use the right attachments for best results. Also, be sure you maintain it properly to keep it functioning well. Always make sure your filters are clean and dust collector is empty.
With these types of timesavers in mind, the LG LuV400 vacuum even includes an attachment that vibrates cushions and mattresses to loosen and remove dust and an extra-long cord that reduces the need to plug into different outlets as you vacuum. The vacuum also features a unique dust-compression system that holds up to three times more dust and produces easy-to-discard dust cakes.
General cleaning tips
Here are a few general rules to follow when cleaning:
* Clean top to bottom. Obeying the laws of gravity is the key to avoiding cleaning in circles.
* Clean as you go. When cooking, soak dishes immediately after use to prevent more work later.
* Keep cleaners in your shower so you can clean yourself and your shower at the same time.
* Stick to a schedule. Don’t stress out about missing certain items when things get busy; having a plan is the easiest way to organize tasks so you don’t feel pressure to get everything done at once.
And if you’re the one doing all the cleaning, don’t be afraid to delegate some tasks to other members of the family. If everyone can take care of the things they are particularly good at, all of you can enjoy more free time.
