- Housekeeping can be exhausting and time-consuming, especially for women
- With the right appliances and household equipment, managing the home becomes easier, more efficient, and less stressful
- Here are nine household appliances and equipment everyone needs to make chores easier
Housekeeping is not an easy task, especially in Nigeria, where power supply can be unreliable, and daily life is filled with unique challenges. For many women, whether mothers, wives, or busy professionals, the goal is to balance taking care of the home while also juggling work, family, and personal time.
Thankfully, modern appliances and household equipment can ease the burden and save time, making housekeeping more manageable. Here are some essential household items every woman needs to simplify her day-to-day tasks.
- Refrigerator/Deep freezer
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This is a non-negotiable appliance in any Nigerian household. With unpredictable power supply and hot weather, food can spoil quickly. A good fridge keeps perishable food items fresh for longer, making it easier to store fruits, vegetables, meat, and leftovers.
Freezing bulk purchases also helps save money, especially with rising food prices. Consider getting a refrigerator with strong cooling features and low energy consumption to handle the irregular electricity.
- Blender
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A powerful blender is one of the most versatile kitchen appliances. Whether it's blending tomatoes and peppers for stew, making smoothies for breakfast, or grinding beans for moi-moi and akara, a blender saves time and energy. Choose one with multiple speed settings and a sturdy design to handle tough Nigerian ingredients like ogbono, egusi, or dried crayfish.
- Gas cooker or electric stove
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Gone are the days when cooking over firewood or kerosene stoves was the norm in Nigerian kitchens. A reliable gas cooker or electric stove is a must-have for quick and efficient cooking. Gas cookers, especially, are great because they work even during power outages. Many women prefer gas because it cooks meals faster than kerosene or electric alternatives. Consider getting one with multiple burners to multitask in the kitchen.
- Washing machine
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The belief that using a washing machine makes you lazy or that it doesn't clean clothes as effectively as handwashing is outdated and stems from a poverty mentality. Doing laundry by hand is not only time-consuming but also physically draining.
A washing machine can be a lifesaver, especially for mothers with large families. From school uniforms to bed sheets, a washing machine handles the heavy-duty work while you focus on other things. Many machines now come with energy-saving modes and water-efficient features, making them perfect for homes where water and power can be scarce.
- Microwave
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For women with busy schedules, a microwave is a great time-saver. Reheating meals, defrosting meat, or quickly warming up baby food becomes easier. With the microwave, you no longer need to wait for food to heat up on the stove, especially when you're pressed for time.
- Pressure pots
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Nigerian dishes like beans and cow leg can take hours to cook using traditional pots. A pressure pot cuts that cooking time drastically, helping you get meals ready faster. It works by trapping steam inside, which speeds up the cooking process while maintaining the flavour and nutrients in the food. A pressure pot is particularly helpful for preparing tough ingredients.
- Vacuum cleaner
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Sweeping every day can be tiring, especially in homes with kids or pets. A vacuum cleaner makes cleaning faster and more thorough. It’s perfect for getting rid of dust, crumbs, and dirt from carpets, couches, and even under furniture.
- Generator
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Given the irregular power supply, owning a generator in Nigeria is essential. Whether it’s to power your fridge, charge your phone, or keep the fan running at night, a generator ensures you can continue with your daily activities without being completely dependent on the national grid. For women managing a household, this can be the difference between a stressful day and a smooth one.
- Food processor
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A food processor is a multi-functional kitchen tool that can chop, slice, dice, or puree ingredients quickly. It is useful for preparing large batches of vegetables for soups, slicing onions, or grinding spices. It’s perfect for mothers or wives who need to save time while preparing meals for the family.
Why gender equality needs to reach the kitchen
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported on why household chores should not be gender specific and why mothers need to train their boys along with their girls.
Additionally, emphasising the need to teach basic life skills to boys in order to help them be independent and better husbands as aman’s masculinity doesn’t decline just because he’s helpful in the house.