It goes without saying that being a mother is hard work. It already feels like we have to make a never-ending list of tasks every day, engage our curious and active kids, and help our partner around the house. So when something in our home needs immediate repair and restoring, it feels like we don’t have time to attend to it and immediately call the service repairman. But there are some simple DIY repairs, maintenance, and remedies we can do until we can have experts look into them, especially if they need a more professional touch. Here are some simple home problems that moms can DIY until they need professional help.
Smelly dishwasher
If neglected, our dishwashers can harbor the smells of rotten food, which is why it’s important to protect them from odor by keeping a fairly simple dishwasher-cleaning routine.
- Get rid of excess food in every area of the interiors. You’ll be surprised at just how much food can accumulate in the sprayer arms, dishwasher door, walls, and metal lip area.
- Use a special product specifically created for cleaning dishwashers, like Dishwasher Magic, and run a full cycle. Don’t use bleach as it can be corrosive to metal and won’t address the odor problem.
- Clean out the excess gunk again. Don’t stop looking for trapped food and grease to clear until you’re sure you’ve taken them all.
- Add in a bottle of dishwasher cleaner and run another full cycle with no product.
- If you don’t have a dishwasher-cleaning agent, you can opt for a cup of white vinegar add place it on the upper rack, then run a hot-water cycle. After this, you can sprinkle some baking soda across the machine and run a shorter hot-water cycle.
Make sure to do this process every month to prevent germs and other bacteria.
Liquid spills over couches or rugs
Raising kids automatically means you will have to deal with spills for the next eighteen years of your life. One information every mom should be armed with is couch and carpet first aid. To mitigate the damage, spot-clean the spillage by blotting and not rubbing. Use a terry cloth or plain paper towel to absorb the liquid and start from the outside of the spill and work your way in to avoid spreading the stain.
If your DIY cleaning doesn’t work, consider sending your furniture to couch and rug restoration experts. After all, re-upholstering and restoring are much cheaper options, and are much better for the environment than purchasing a new one. At the same time, professional cleaning services for many of our furniture are necessary anyway, since rugs and couches need to be cleaned regularly to get rid of bacteria, dirt, and dust that have accumulated, as well as to extend their life.
Loud cabinet doors
Children can be extremely thoughtless when it comes to opening and shutting doors, so it’s understandable if you find loud cabinet doors bothersome. Combat this by using peel-and-stick drawer and door bumpers, which can be found in some home centers. Clean the back of the door and place one sticker at the top corner and another one at the bottom. Also, you can kindly ask your kids to stop banging the doors in your house.
Clogged drains
There is nothing more stressful than a clogged drain, especially when you already have so much cleaning up to do. Before you call a handyman to fix it for you, try unclogging it yourself by trying the following:
- Fill the sink up with two to three inches of water.
- Use a plunger bell to cover up the drain and seal the edges.
- Force water up and down the drain pipes by pushing and pulling the plunger.
- Close the overflow holes using plastic or a wet sponge to maintain the pressure.
The idea is to destroy the clog and force the water down the drain. Normally, this process works to unclog the drain, removing the need for taking your sink apart. If this doesn’t work, consider hiring a plumber to help you address the problem.
Home Maintenance First-Aid
Many of these remedies are quick fixes until you can hire professionals and experts to do it for you. Assess if a problem is minor enough that first-aid can work for now, or if it requires the help of service professionals. Issues like your home’s structural integrity, cracks, and wall stains do need an expert opinion, as well as cleaning and disinfecting issues that affect your family’s health. So learn the DIY part on your own, but don’t be afraid to seek help when needed.
