How many times have you suddenly stumbled upon an unsuspecting family of dust bunnies after moving a piece of furniture? The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” really does ring true when it comes to places we often forget to clean. Even the most meticulous clean freak is bound to forget some of these spots.
Many of us have other focuses, like finding affordable eco-friendly laundry products or researching the most spatially efficient way to fold our clothes. It’s okay to forget to clean places that don’t see the light of day now and then, but if you’re ready to give your home a deep cleaning, consider these nine things and places that you’ve probably forgotten.
1.Under Your Large Appliances
Think about how many crumbs and debris are probably under your fridge right now. The thought alone is enough to scare the most diligent people. Cleaning under the fridge or oven sounds like a difficult task, but it only takes a few minutes. Most appliances are surprisingly easy to scoot forward.
A quick vacuum is all you should need unless there are any leaks or spills. For appliances you can’t move, consider just using your vacuum’s hose attachment to suck out any dust or dirt underneath.
2. Inside Small Appliances
Let’s be honest. You probably don’t think about cleaning the inside of your toaster often. All of the crumbs and bits that gather at the bottom of your toaster can end up being a fire hazard if not cleaned out. Not to mention, these crumbs can attract pests. Most toasters have a crumb catcher that can be pulled out and dumped. It’s not a bad idea to go ahead and wash it off before replacing it, too.
3. Washer and Dryer
You might think your washing machine inherently cleans itself every time you toss in your laundry detergent sheets. This idea simply isn’t true. Washing machines can harbor bacteria and form mildew if left closed after a wash. Clean the rubber door seals with one cup of chlorine bleach and two cups of warm water to stop this from happening.
Once you’ve finished, put bleach in the dispenser and run a full cycle of hot water without any clothing in it. To keep everything clean, you should perform this every few months. As for your dryer, make sure a professional cleans the exhaust duct once a year. Clogged ducts can be a hazard. It will not only keep your dryer clean but also keep it running efficiently.
4. Door Knobs and Other Handles
The things you touch the most in your home are by far the dirtiest. That goes without saying. How many times have you thought to clean the door knobs or drawer pulls in your house? These frequently touched surfaces harbor all of the bacteria you come into contact with daily.
For example, when you take the trash out, you touch the door to toss the bag in the bin outside. While you’re cooking, how many drawers and cabinets do you open? Make a little time to go around your home and sanitize the handles around your house. It’s a super quick task that can reduce the risk of contaminating your hands or the hands of your guests.
5. Fans and Light Fixtures
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to clean off the lights and fans in your home. After sitting idle for the entire winter, ceiling fans gather an unimaginable amount of dust. On top of spring allergies, the last thing you want is to start up your ceiling fan only to have it send all that dust flying into the air. Take a damp rag and wipe down ceiling fan blades, or get an extendable microfiber duster to collect that irritating dust.
6. Curtains and Blinds
Window treatments are often overlooked when it comes to cleaning. You’d be surprised at how much dust, pollen, and pet dander can accumulate inside the folds of your curtains.
If you don’t have curtains that are machine washable, make sure you vacuum down the fabric or wipe it down with a damp cloth every once in a while.
Do the same to any blinds in your home. Make sure to clean both sides of your window treatments, especially if your home is prone to spiders or other little bugs that might make their home between the window and your blinds.
7. Dishwasher
Similar to your washing machine, you may think your dishwashing tablets are enough to keep your dishwasher sparkling like your dishes. While your dishes may come out squeaky clean, the reality of the situation is that sometimes food particles can build up at the bottom of your dishwasher and can cause unpleasant odors and bacteria.
Make sure to run a hot water cycle every so often with a cup of white vinegar. This will reduce any hard water buildup, soap scum, and leftover food debris.
8. Under Furniture and Rugs
We’ve all had a “sweep it under the rug” moment. The in-laws are over and you rush ahead into the living room to see a bothersome piece of dirt or a clump of pet hair, so, of course, you quickly kick it under the couch.
Over time, all of these little bits of ick accumulate and create a gross little collection underneath your furniture or rugs. When you’re cleaning your floors, it might be a good time to shake out the rugs and scoot the couches back to get those spots that are missed.
9. House Plants
This one might be less obvious. Like anything else, house plants can accumulate dust and dirt. Not only will cleaning your plants keep them looking lively, but it will also keep them healthier!
Gently blow off your plants’ leaves or carefully wipe them down. Some people even stick their plants under gently running water. Just be careful not to uproot or overwater them.
Conclusion
Despite our best efforts, it’s unavoidable that we’ll forget to clean the parts of our house that go unseen. Use this list as a guide or to brainstorm other places in your home you may forget to clean.
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