Cleaning is time consuming, and that’s before diving into all the deep cleaning stuff, but there are a few cleaning tasks you may be forgetting to complete in your home that you really should be doing. We will walk you through which items those may be (and ways to tackle them effectively).
For the most part, everyone is good at keeping on top of the basic cleaning tasks for their homes. Some are even great at keeping on top of deep cleaning items such as baseboards, blinds, and insides of appliances. But there are a few not-so-obvious items in your home you may be forgetting about (and really shouldn’t be).
1. Inside of Large Appliances
You may be remembering to clean out the fridge and oven on a somewhat-regular basis, but what about your dishwasher, dryer, and washing machine? These seem like they are self-cleaning, but they really aren’t. It’s important to clean them often to avoid undesirable odors and inefficiency.
*Tip: When cleaning the dishwasher, simply fill a dishwasher-safe cup with white vinegar and place on the top shelf of the otherwise empty dishwasher and run a cycle. You can even add a sprinkle of baking soda along the bottom for an added cleaning boost.
2. Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures
These items can collect a surprising amount of dust which can affect both the air and light quality in your home. We recommend giving them a light dusting every couple of weeks to avoid any such issues.
*Tip: For dust that has become caked onto a glass light fixture, simply remove the fixture and soak in a mixture of water, dish soap, and vinegar, then wipe away, dry, and return the fixture to its rightful place!
3. Dryer Vents
So many people opt out of having their dryer vents cleaned since it’s typically a service you need to pay for, but this is an important one. Having your vents regularly cleaned can avoid all sorts of catastrophes, ranging from inadequate performance of your dryer to a housefire. It’s definitely worth hiring for this service (or at least learning to do it yourself).
4. Chimneys
Similarly to dryer vents, chimneys need regular cleaning to avoid potential problems. Be sure to clean your fireplace and hearth often, too!
*Tip: Use a heavy-duty vacuum to remove residual ash (be sure it’s thoroughly cooled) before wiping with anything damp. This includes the brick or rock on the outside of the fireplace.
5. Mattresses and Covers
Cleaning mattresses isn’t as daunting as it may seem, but it is important work. You spend an approximate 1/3 of your life there — why wouldn’t you want it as clean as the rest of your home?
*Tip: Simply strip the mattress bare (wash covers in washing machine or per directions), then vacuum thoroughly and spot treat any stains. Allow the mattress to dry thoroughly before replacing bedding.
6. Under and Behind Furniture
This task can be a little daunting, depending on the size of your furniture. We recommend recruiting a little help to move bulky or heavy furniture so you may clean behind and underneath. Unless you do this often, have a vacuum ready and be prepared for a surprising amount of dust buildup. (You may even find the remote that went missing months ago!)
7. Upholstery
Those drapes, sofas, chairs, etc., are really great at collecting all sorts of undesirable filth. It’s important to properly clean or sanitize them at least twice per year to help prevent the spread of dust and potential bacteria. You may hire a service to do this for you, or research the best ways to clean the types of upholstery in your home yourself.
8. Carpets
We strongly recommend hiring a professional carpet cleaning service at least once per year to treat your carpets. They possess equipment capable of getting down deep and really drawing out any potential allergens, etc.. If you choose to do it yourself with a rented or purchased machine, be sure to research how to use the machine properly, and make sure the carpets are adequately rinsed free of chemicals to prevent future dirt from more readily collecting there. Also be sure your carpets are fully dry before returning furniture or area rugs to their proper place.
9. Light Switches & Door Handles
These commonly touched items are hot spots for germs and bacteria and should be properly sanitized often — especially during cold and flu season.
*Tip: Spray antibacterial cleaner on the surface and let sit for 3-5 minutes, then wipe away with a clean rag to get the very best results
10. Keyboards and Handheld Electronics
Did you know that your cellphone is likely 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat? Yikes! And to think you hold that up to your face, let your children play with it, and hold it in your clean hands so you can read that recipe you found online while cooking dinner.
For this reason, handheld devices make our #1 spot. It is very, very important to be cleaning your devices often (more than once per week) to avoid spreading germs and bacteria.
*Tip: Spray keyboards with canned air to remove dust, wipe keys carefully with an alcohol swap, then wipe with a damp rag to remove any alcohol remnants (be aware that alcohol can remove the lettering on your keyboard). Use an alcohol wipe to clean off cell phones and other handheld devices. Be sure to remove the cases and wipe them down, as well.
There you have it! How many on our list are you remembering to do? Leave us a comment below! And if you have any cleaning tips of your own, please share with us and our community!
*While we are confident that the advice we have offered here is both effective and safe, please be sure to do your own research on which chemicals are appropriate for which surfaces you have in your home. We cannot be held liable for any damage that may occur by following the advice you see here.