No one wants to spend their weekend cleaning a house. All houses require maintenance, some might require more than others. A big part of how much work is involved in maintaining a house is based on decisions made during the building or remodeling process. Choices related to flooring, cabinets, paint, tile, and the space layout can either help reduce the time needed to clean a house or increase the number of locations for dust and dirt to accumulate.
When you construct a new home or do renovations on your current home, you can make several key decisions that will significantly reduce the time you need to spend cleaning your house later.
Start With the Floors
Flooring is subject to heavy wear and tear from shoes tracking in dirt, pet hair left behind, and the perpetual problem of how crumbs seem to magically appear wherever we least expect them. Hard-surface flooring (and specifically luxury vinyl plank) is typically cleaner than wall-to-wall carpet. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is a very popular choice because it is extremely low-maintenance and available in various styles that mimic real wood and stone.
If you choose to go with carpet, find a durable, stain-resistant fiber type that can withstand regular vacuuming and cleaning. Area rugs are another practical solution. Area rugs do not follow the same process as wall-to-wall carpet; therefore, if you wish to deep clean or replace the rug, you may simply pull it out for cleaning or replacement.
Fewer Grout Lines, Less Scrubbing
Tile is a very functional material for bathrooms and kitchens (where moisture tends to accumulate), and among other wet zones. Tile is relatively easy to clean, but cleaning grout is rarely considered enjoyable.
The fewer grout lines present, the easier the tile will be to keep clean. This holds for backsplashes as well. When using larger tiles or continuing a surface through an entire wall, dirt and grease have fewer locations to reside. If you enjoy the appearance of tile but dislike cleaning grout, then this should be considered before installing your tile.
Choose Cabinets That Don’t Collect Everything
Cabinets collect a lot of dust and grease - especially in the kitchen. Using flat-panel cabinet and drawer front configurations will create fewer edges and less detail for dust to gather upon, which makes them much easier to wipe clean. Additionally, taking kitchen cabinets to the ceiling has several benefits as well. Typically, the tops of standard cabinets tend to collect a great deal of dust. Also, the less cluttered your countertops remain at all times, the less you will need to move when it is time to clean.
Pick Paint You Can Actually Wipe
Select paint you can actually wipe clean, because paint options in high-traffic areas matter when selecting finishes. Generally speaking, an eggshell or higher-sheen paint is more readily cleaned than a flat-finish paint. In particular, these sheens are ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, etc., where walls often receive fingerprint smudges and/or other types of stains. While higher-sheen paints may highlight wall imperfections, there is no doubt that a higher-sheen finish is easier to clean.
Make the Bathroom Easier to Maintain
Large format wall tile results in fewer grout lines surrounding the shower. Frameless glass enclosures for showers also result in reduced soap buildup and water accumulation within track systems and frames. Most shower designs contain numerous little nooks and crannies that are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria, mildew, and mold.
In addition to a well-designed shower space, proper ventilation is essential as it reduces both the humidity levels in the air and creates an environment that does not promote bacterial growth or mildew development.
Think About the Doors and Windows
When thinking about cleaning, most people forget about doors. However, some door designs are easier to maintain than others. Interior doors with smooth surfaces and minimal decorative elements provide fewer crevices and ridges for dust to collect. Trim is similar - simpler profile elements will provide fewer crevices for cleaning.
Windows should also be considered when evaluating ease of maintenance. Cleanable windows are obviously preferred over those requiring specialized cleaning equipment or ladders.
Don’t Forget the Kitchen
Some kitchen-specific design considerations could save your time every day. Undermount sinks produce a seamless transition between the sink and countertop, allowing you to quickly sweep crumbs directly into the sink bowl. A kitchen range hood is another important consideration in eliminating grease, smoke, steam, and cooking odors before they fall onto adjacent surfaces.
Finally, if you are looking to make removing crumbs from your floors easier, some kitchens feature a built-in vacuum system or crumb sweeper located within the toe-kick area. Using your foot to quickly sweep away crumbs after meals may not seem like a major task.
Think about how much cleaning maintenance you are willing to do before selecting a design. Designs that look amazing in a showroom may need a lot of cleaning once they get back to your house. You certainly don't have to choose a design with no flair or style. The important thing to consider when selecting a design is how much cleaning work you are willing to do to keep it looking its best.
Your home will never be completely without any wear and tear. Everyday life - kids, pets, cooking, weather, etc. - will always leave some type of mark on your home. The objective is to reduce cleaning from being such an unpleasant task.
Ready to spend less time cleaning and more time living? Contact Tradesman Construction to start planning your renovation.
0 Comments