Keeping your house clean is a task that often seems like it has no end in sight. No matter how much you vacuum, sweep or dust, a nice, clean house never seems to last for too long. Unfortunately, we aren’t here with a magic cleaning wand, instead, we have 12 places that are often overlooked when cleaning. But not all hope is lost! We also have some hacks to make it a little less painful. So, turn on your favorite energy-boosting playlist, and let’s get cleaning!
LOCATION: THE KITCHEN
This might be one of the topmost overlooked things that needs cleaning. The cleaning method will depend on the type of coffee maker you have, but they all should be cleaned once a month for everyday drinkers. If you use a coffee grinder too, you should add that to the cleaning list as well.
Crumbs often find their way into this drawer. A quick wipe down or rinse should be all that’s needed.
Rinse the filter under hot water, then use a toothbrush to gently scrub the mesh screen and plastic, removing any residue. When finished, lock it back into place and run a hot cycle with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack to eliminate lingering odors.
The splash guard of your garbage disposal may be the source of some of the unwanted smells. A soapy scrub sponge should do the trick to help remove the gunk from the folds and grooves.
Always make sure to unplug the garbage disposal or turn it off on the breaker when cleaning.
Other Spots:
the toaster
garbage can
LOCATION: THE BATHROOM
After a hot shower, take a microfiber cloth or soft sponge to thoroughly wipe down the walls. Additionally, you can use warm water and dish soap to clean oil-based paint or warm water, vinegar and dish soap for walls with latex paint. Just be sure to do a spot test before applying anything to an entire wall.
Help your shower curtain last longer by throwing it in the washing machine on a regular basis. Fill the washing machine on the largest size, and add a few drops of detergent. If it needs a deeper cleaning, add a towel and a half cup of baking soda. Wash on a gentle cycle, then add a half cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle. When finished, hang the curtain back up to air dry.
Make sure your shower curtain is machine washable before starting. Baking soda and an old toothbrush can work well to remove stains without a washing machine.
LOCATION: AROUND THE HOUSE
Make sure to clean all doorknobs, light switches, handrails, cabinet handles and TV and garage remotes with disinfecting wipes or an antibacterial cleaner.
Most antibacterial cleaners need to sit for 10 minutes to properly work.
These bags can quickly become the perfect environment for bacteria. Hand wash fabric bags in warm water with soap or laundry detergent, then hang to dry. Disinfecting wipes are great for wiping down insulated bags.
Other Spots:
closet floors
sliding door & window tracks
Cleaning from top to bottom and everywhere in between is exhausting! The good news is that most of these have gone a while without being cleaned before, so they don’t need to be cleaned daily. Try adding one or two to your next cleaning spree or adding a few to a weekly cleaning routine. Just don’t forget about them completely!
