Please or to access all these features

Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

What small household fixes have made everyday life noticeably easier?

253 replies

HardyPinkPanda · Today 00:45

I’m between jobs at the moment and have decided to use some of the time to basically snag my own house.

I’m going through every room and making a note of all the little things that have mildly irritated me for YEARS, but which I’ve somehow just accepted as part of life. You know the sort of thing - not actual problems, just things you regularly curse under your breath and then continue living with for another five years.

So far I have:

  1. Ruthlessly slimmed down the kitchen cupboards so I could lose one cupboard and fit a tumble dryer. Every winter I normally spend approximately 46% of my waking hours hanging damp clothes around the house and rotating them like prize livestock, so I’m disproportionately excited about this.

  2. Reorganised the Tupperware so every container now lives WITH ITS OWN LID. No more rummaging through 17 lids while slowly losing the will to live.

  3. Thrown out about 12 random, ancient, slightly raggedy towels that had been granted permanent residency in the airing cupboard. It now has SPACE. Things are FOLDED.

  4. Replaced the sieve that hasn’t had a handle since approximately 2020. Why did I just... live like that?

  5. Put bigger shoe storage by the door, so we no longer have the traditional hallway shoe landslide.

  6. Rewired a switch so it finally works the way you instinctively expect it to work rather than requiring a tiny moment of irritation every single time.

Honestly, none of this is exactly world peace, but the cumulative improvement to my quality of life is ridiculous. I keep thinking, WHY DID I PUT UP WITH THIS FOR SO LONG?

So humour me: what tiny, boring, seemingly insignificant thing have you changed/fixed/bought/reorganised in your house that has made you disproportionately happy?

I want the really mundane ones. The things nobody is putting on Grand Designs but which have genuinely made your day-to-day life better.

Basically, tell me what else I should be wandering around my house looking for 😂

OP posts:
Thread gallery
16
HardyPinkPanda · Today 11:18

Badbadbunny · Today 10:57

Decluttering and organisation does it for me. The old adage of "a place for everything and everything in it's place!" Took a while to "train" DH and DS, but we all got there in the end!

I have lots of storage, i.e. cupboards, drawers, etc., insisted on divan beds with drawers underneath which are a game changer for spare duvets/pillows/bedding etc that are kept under the bed they are for. Organised wardrobes with Summer/Winter sections and integral shelves/drawers. A cupboard for outdoor clothes and shoes by the front door so they don't "infiltrate" inside the house. Designated drawers for things like stationery (pens, paper, envelopes, stapler, hole punch, sellotape, stamps, etc), another drawer for minor DIY stuff like batteries, bulbs, screwdriver set, pliers, insulation tape, fuses, tape measure, etc, a drawer for "mending" containing sewing kits, ribbon, elastic, patches, etc. Kitchen organised into drawers and cupboards, i.e. a cupboard for tinned goods, a cupboard for packets, cutlery drawer, drawer for things like kebab skewers, tin opener, etc., one cupboard for glassware, another for cups, another for crockery, etc. Also drawer for electricals such as chargers/charging leads, phone battery packs, earphones, etc. I also have an upstairs and downstairs "cleaning" cupboard with duplicates of things like polish, dusters, sprays, loo cleaners, even two vacuum cleaners - one up, one down - massively reduces the time wasted going up and down stairs!!

Nothing goes in the "wrong" cupboard!

DH now has a very well organised garage where he has all kinds of tools, all in cupboards and drawers (like I said, I trained him well!), and some "professional" tool boxes on castors with drawers etc (like they have in car workshops/garages), all his power tools are on shelves, cables all neatly rolled up, packets/boxes of things like saw blades, sand paper, etc all next to the matching power tool! Same in our garden shed with the gardening tools and equipment - everything hung up on hooks or on shelves.

Along with that, I am a big de-clutterer, and at least yearly have a big clear out, by going through all the drawers, shelves, cupboards, etc and being ruthless to either sell, charity or bin things we've not used that year. In between times, I get rid of things on a day by day basis that are broken, damaged, used up, etc. - there's virtually no chance of anyone picking up a dried up pen as we're all "trained" to ditch them when they start to dry up rather than just chuck them back in the drawer!

Re household repairs, etc., again, we do things as we notice them. Whoever turns on a light and it blows is the one to change the bulb, likewise fuses on electrical items. We keep "part used" tins of paint, so if there's a scuff or scratch on woodwork or a painted wall, we'll just get a paintbrush or roller and sort it out at the first convenient opportunity after we notice it. Likewise with things like electric switches, sockets, plugs, sink taps, sink wastes etc - if it's something whoever notices it can sort out, they do it - if it's bigger/complicated, we have a conflab and make a plan, whether it's time we need to DIY after buying what's needed, or (heaven forbid) get a tradesman in to sort it. But nothing gets left for more than a few days before it's either sorted by us or we arrange for tradesmen to come and look at it.

Same with our 3 cars. All organised inside, things like wipes, cloths, cash for car parks, sunglasses, tissues, pens/pencils/paper, bottles of water, insurance certificate, and road map, inside the car either in the glove box or door pockets. De-icer, rug, umbrella, tyre inflater, etc in the boot. All 3 washed and vacuumed every month.

We also have "go-bags" which are small canvas bags containing drinks and snacks which which "pick up and go" when we go out, if we think we may end up delayed etc., even for short journeys sometimes, i.e. crisps, bottle of water, snack bar, etc., and we'll usually pop in a piece of fruit on the way out. If we don't use it, we just bring them back, pop the fruit back in the fruit bowl and hang up ready for next time!

I've never had the time nor headspace to waste time searching for things, i.e. looking in random drawers/cupboards, looking "under" things or "on top" of things. Never had, ever since childhood. I need the certainty of knowing that whatever I need WILL be where I expect it to be. It's like an investment in time - yes, it takes up front time to be organised, with is a "time cost", but in the long term, you save so much more time by not wasting it looking for things, not having to "make do and mend" because you can't find the exact thing you need, not having to waste time/money making unnecessary trips to the shop to replace things you've lost/can't find, etc.

I feel like I can only dream of this level of organisation. My DH and DC just seem to undo as fast as I do, and no one will get on board with a process. I have educated them all countless times that if something is on the stairs it needs taking up/down for example. Yesterday I put DS's violin on the stairs right across so he would have to take it / couldn't miss it. He STILL hurdled over it. I don't know where I am going wrong, you've trained yours exceedingly well!

OP posts:
MsGreying · Today 11:20

Reorganised the Tupperware so every container now lives WITH ITS OWN LID. No more rummaging through 17 lids while slowly losing the will to live.

Are you nesting dolls them?

Clutterluck · Today 11:21

A phone charger in every room!

Stifledlife · Today 11:24

Put a PIR (motio sensor) lightbulb in the downstairs loo and in the laundry. Now no one leaves the light burning for days because you can't see it's on, and i don't need to fumble to turn a light on with armfuls of washing.

Bought an airconditioner last winter for the (glass roofed, south facing) kitchen. I've been able to use the kitchen this year for the first time in decades.

Put a little step outside the back door instead of in the garage. I now use the step to get to high cupboards etc instead of teetering on chairs.

I got a coverless duvet.. OMG lifechanging!

I gave in and tried one of those tank tops with the built in bra in the front. A-MAZING! Totally comfortable - I slept in it. Looks normal (i.e. doesn't squish the girls into weird shapes), no backfat because no elastic anywhere but in front.

Clutterluck · Today 11:24

If ready to pass stuff on, send straight to charity shop rather than leave it sitting round the house for months, intending to sell it.

AlwaysExtraHot · Today 11:26

sueelleker · Today 10:22

I use these boxes from Lakeland. They come in different depths, but the same diameter; so the lids are interchangeable. www.lakeland.co.uk/products/10-stack-a-boxes-food-storage-containers-750ml As per a previous post-I roll all my clothing tops, and have them in plastic boxes labelled with the colours. (I may have too many tops!)

God, I wish I'd known about these before. I have a million storage tubs and a million lids, but can never match the two up.
It's a job for one fine day, when I have nothing more pressing or exciting to do than go through all my lids and tubs and reunite them.

Fiddlesticks1 · Today 11:28

Greenjersey · Today 10:48

We have a tiny kitchen and were fast running out of storage. I bought a narrow wardrobe 2nd hand, painted it to match the kitchen and added shelves. Now stores veg at the bottom, dog food, biscuits and other assorted stuff. Cost £25 and makes a great larder.
Tupperware is the bane of my life! I have loads of lids and no boxes. My adult daughters must have cupboards full of them. Off to buy a load of takeaway containers from amazon.

Lidl do containers that stack inside each other including the lids. Absolute game changer. They seem to sell them in the lead up to Christmas.

BeardofHagrid · Today 11:28

I bought waterproof pillow protectors, so now it isn’t the end of the world if my hair isn’t 100% dry before bed (I have 100% goose down pillows so it’s important 😊). They have a jersey cotton outer and are very comfortable. They even zip up so there are no gaps! Brilliant.

Periperi2025 · Today 11:29

No. 2 tupperware drawer.
It won't last, better with a tub drawer and a seperate lid drawer IMHO! Also buy loads of identical same sized tubs, not sets of multiple different sizes, then you do a lot less matching up, 2 or 3 sizes max, whilst they may not always be the perfect size tub for the job, it is so much easier matching tubs and lids.

No. 6 I need to do this, the hall light switch is to the right of the landing light switch, but the stairs up to the landing are to the right of the hall, IYSWIM. You have reassured me that I am not being silly to find this annoying.

QuietlyWonderful · Today 11:29

NestaVipaz · Today 08:38

I love this, but I would 100% buy the wrong size. What is mid-sized? I get so confused with sizes in litres.

Find a tupperware in your cupboard - eg, one you know is a 2-portion size - fill it with water and then pour the water into a measuring jug. Now you know how many litres you want when you go to buy a set.

SethTrek · Today 11:30

HardyPinkPanda · Today 11:05

Due to way it needed to fit in, emptying the water was going to be an issue. Same with the fluff catcher which still will be a bit of an issue as it means removing the kitchen cupboard plinth every month. Its been a mission to get this in for us!

You have a handy DH, so hear me out...! What if you cut your plinth and hinged it to create a litte door, allowing you to access your fluff catcher. Use a stick on magnetic catch on the outside of the tumble drier and inside of the plinth door to keep it closed.

LlamaDrama20 · Today 11:30

Clutterluck · Today 11:24

If ready to pass stuff on, send straight to charity shop rather than leave it sitting round the house for months, intending to sell it.

On this point, we have a designated place/box in the hall cupboard for outgoing charity bags, and anyone going to the High Street knows to take them with them!

HectorPlasm · Today 11:31

Outdoor lights on a dusk to dawn switch - one when you need them

Big Kettler storage bins by the back door for shoes and boots

Special hook rack for the dog's multiple leads and gubbins

HardyPinkPanda · Today 11:31

SethTrek · Today 11:30

You have a handy DH, so hear me out...! What if you cut your plinth and hinged it to create a litte door, allowing you to access your fluff catcher. Use a stick on magnetic catch on the outside of the tumble drier and inside of the plinth door to keep it closed.

Ooh I will suggest it. Thank you! I might need to pick my moment though 🤣

OP posts:
Midseptemberwoes · Today 11:32

I feel like I must be missing out on something because we own no tupperware..

Having rolls of wrapping paper is a money saver. I also keep scissors in each room and buy a pack of pens about once per month to keep in the kitchen drawer. It's also handy Having plain stickers and name tags.

I keep cleaning supplies in the bathroom.

Robot vac and mop ensures the light coloured tiles are cleaned every day. Cordless vac makes doing the other rooms much easier.

Tall cupboard in utility room with box and shelf for each person. All their clean washing goes in there and they take to their wardrobes.

Also do coloured socks per person. White nikes for teen DS and black nikes for young DS. Buy more every 3 months.

Medicine storage box in a cupboard in the kitchen. Easier to locate the thermometer or plasters etc.

Extra small dustpan and brush for any areas that may get dusty often eg the fireplace.

I need to buy the rack for baking sheets and tins. My biggest gripe is the pot drawer and how to keep that organised.

Will also be buying the hair dryer holder.

Great thread.

Tryonemoretime · Today 11:32

In a drawer I have a printed out sheet on which is listed absolutely every item we need to take away on holiday - everything from sunglasses (yep, once forgot them!) to medication. And I have a toilet bag already packed so I never have to think about what we have to take with us.

Periperi2025 · Today 11:33

Clutterluck · Today 11:24

If ready to pass stuff on, send straight to charity shop rather than leave it sitting round the house for months, intending to sell it.

Also have a really high 'value' threshold for selling things on vinted/ ebay. I donate no actual 'money' to charity but donate loads of quality items instead. It takes the pressure & guilt off me.

BatshitCrazyWoman · Today 11:35

sueelleker · Today 10:22

I use these boxes from Lakeland. They come in different depths, but the same diameter; so the lids are interchangeable. www.lakeland.co.uk/products/10-stack-a-boxes-food-storage-containers-750ml As per a previous post-I roll all my clothing tops, and have them in plastic boxes labelled with the colours. (I may have too many tops!)

I was just going to post these - they're brilliant! They stack nicely in the freezer, too.

BlueShed · Today 11:36

Tryonemoretime · Today 11:32

In a drawer I have a printed out sheet on which is listed absolutely every item we need to take away on holiday - everything from sunglasses (yep, once forgot them!) to medication. And I have a toilet bag already packed so I never have to think about what we have to take with us.

Yes, to packing lists! I keep them for three years, in case one year I decide not to take something and then want to look back. I have separate ones for beach holidays, camping, UK self catering stays & staying with friends. We don’t do all those in any given year, but I’m a lists person and can’t operate without them.
I also keep a note of the grocery delivery we get to self catering places, and book the slot as soon as I am able to so we don’t worry about food shopping on arrival.

IAmKerplunk · Today 11:38

Love this thread!
I am a hook fiend - use them for my hairdryer, straighteners and necklaces/bracelets.
keep very few cleaning products under my kitchen sink as both bathrooms have their own.

I desperately want a tumble dryer for the winter.
Have attached a professional drawing of the peninsular in my kitchen. I want to take out the corner cupboard and put a tumble dryer there. There is already power and plumbing. It would back on to the dishwasher but open out to the other side of the peninsular. This seems too simple so I must be missing something. Can anyone offer any opinions?

eta it is labelled washing machine on the diagram but it’s in fact the dishwasher

What small household fixes have made everyday life noticeably easier?
Flowersshinelikestars · Today 11:39

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · Today 10:02

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ikea-KALLAX-shelving-112x147-white/dp/B0BVWP2MB1/ref=ascdfB0BVWP2MB1?mcid=d527ddffce3b3f40a9b4e6945e1d1b64&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697249756456&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13059705704547509635&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006472&hvtargid=pla-2273099588040&psc=1&hvocijid=13059705704547509635-B0BVWP2MB1-&hvexpln=0&gadsource=1

This is what I have (only I painted it so that it fits in with my colour scheme (it's F&B Grey Smoke). The Kallax is good because it comes in blocks so you can buy as many as you need to fit your space. I have a sixer and it makes a long enough 'hallway' and doesn't block too much light.
ETA sorry about the massive link!

Edited

Amazing thank you 😊

Badbadbunny · Today 11:40

Tryonemoretime · Today 11:32

In a drawer I have a printed out sheet on which is listed absolutely every item we need to take away on holiday - everything from sunglasses (yep, once forgot them!) to medication. And I have a toilet bag already packed so I never have to think about what we have to take with us.

Similar here, but I have it on a spreadsheet template, with different sections for different "types" of holiday, i.e. different packing for a sunny holiday as opposed to a skiing or golfing holiday. I just merge sections by copying and pasting into a new tab, then "tailor" it by removing items we won't need, then print out and tick off as we pack.

I have sections for everything, i.e. clothes, footwear, medicines, first aid, "kitchen" items if self catering, electricals (i.e. phone chargers, battery packs, shaver, hair dryer/tongues, vibrator(!), batteries) and small tools (screwdriver set, small pliers, fuses, tape etc).

I keep all the old "tabs" in the spreadsheet so can look back to previous holidays to see what we took. Before spreadsheets, I used to do it by pen and paper, I'd keep lists from previous holidays to use as a template for the next holiday. In fact, I still have them all in a folder, so I can still see what we packed for, say, our holiday to Malta in 1989!!

We're always adding new things to the templates. Far better to start with a huge list/template of literally everything you may possibly need and then edit it down to what you actually want to take. Easier to do it that way than start with a blank piece of paper and start having to think of what you'll need.

Swissmeringue · Today 11:40

We have a tiny bit of skirting board that falls off in our living room. DH and I just prop it back up when we are going past. I finally glued that MF down yesterday after maybe 3 years of just ignoring it and I think to myself "WHY?!?" Why did it take us so long to fix something low key irritating that required approximately 2 minutes of effort??

Alternativelyviewed · Today 11:40

susiedaisy1912 · Today 07:56

I roll towels not fold them, much easier to stack and see which one you want from the cupboard.
I don’t iron.
black socks for everyone in the house so no more trying to match up socks.
hooks and pegs in every room to hang things.
shoe rack that fits all of our shoes.
key hook in the kitchen for keys.
storage basket on wheels for under the beds.

Me too but for DH and I , black socks !
Im a size 5.hes 11 his socks fit me fine !

Alternativelyviewed · Today 11:41

Badbadbunny · Today 11:40

Similar here, but I have it on a spreadsheet template, with different sections for different "types" of holiday, i.e. different packing for a sunny holiday as opposed to a skiing or golfing holiday. I just merge sections by copying and pasting into a new tab, then "tailor" it by removing items we won't need, then print out and tick off as we pack.

I have sections for everything, i.e. clothes, footwear, medicines, first aid, "kitchen" items if self catering, electricals (i.e. phone chargers, battery packs, shaver, hair dryer/tongues, vibrator(!), batteries) and small tools (screwdriver set, small pliers, fuses, tape etc).

I keep all the old "tabs" in the spreadsheet so can look back to previous holidays to see what we took. Before spreadsheets, I used to do it by pen and paper, I'd keep lists from previous holidays to use as a template for the next holiday. In fact, I still have them all in a folder, so I can still see what we packed for, say, our holiday to Malta in 1989!!

We're always adding new things to the templates. Far better to start with a huge list/template of literally everything you may possibly need and then edit it down to what you actually want to take. Easier to do it that way than start with a blank piece of paper and start having to think of what you'll need.

Edited

Great idea !!