As a busy professional working from home, I’ve always been on the lookout for ways to make life easier, especially when it comes to household chores. My wife handles most of the daily tasks with our two kids, and I wanted to find a smart way to support her without overwhelming her with technology. Here’s how I’ve been using smart automation to make our lives a bit simpler.
The Setup
We have a mix of traditional and smart devices in our home. Our Bauknecht washing machine and tumble dryer aren’t smart, but we’ve paired them with Gosund smart sockets to monitor their usage. I use a Pixel 6 Pro for notifications, while my wife uses a Pixel 3. We also have a Galaxy Watch 4 for convenience. The real star of the show is my incredibly smart wife, who handles most of the household tasks!
The Automation
Inspired by a blueprint I found online, I created a series of automations to notify both of us when the washing machine or dryer finishes. Here’s how it works:
- Washing Machine Notification: When the washing machine finishes, I receive a notification on my phone and smartwatch. My wife gets a similar notification on her phone. The notifications are slightly different to encourage her to act first.
- Actionable Notifications: If my wife clicks “I will do it,” an automation is triggered that informs me and reminds her. If she’s busy, she can hit “Could you please?” which alerts me and allows me to take over.
- Dryer Automation: The dryer has a simpler setup, with a single notification when it finishes. This one is based on the same blueprint and works seamlessly.
The Benefits
This setup has been a game-changer for us. It ensures that household chores are handled efficiently without any arguments. If I’m in a meeting, my wife knows not to wait for me, and vice versa. The automations are designed to be flexible, adapting to our busy schedules.
Reflections
It’s amazing how a bit of smart automation can transform daily routines. I’ve learned that the key to successful automation is simplicity and flexibility. While there are more advanced setups out there, this system works perfectly for us and requires minimal maintenance. I couldn’t recommend it enough for anyone looking to streamline their household chores!
If you’ve implemented similar automations or have tips to share, I’d love to hear about them. Let’s keep the conversation going and make life a bit easier for everyone!