So we’ve all been there. We’ve looked around our home(s) and made note of the clear to the eye items we need to tidy up or clean. We make time to clean said items, and then give ourselves a pat on the back for a job well done. But here comes the point…
What about the stuff you’re forgetting to clean?
We’ve compiled a list of some areas, or appliances, in your home that have most likely been shoved to the side, and possibly not cleaned in a really long time.
Literally, the top half of any room. The top of ceiling fans, crown molding, the top of those hard to reach kitchen cupboards, or light fixtures. Usually you’re just dealing with a dusty situation; nothing a dry cloth can’t handle. But if it’s been a really long time… use cloth with some mild soap and give it a good wipe down. Pro tip: attach the cloth to a broom handle to tackle those really hard to get, or high, spots.
Your air conditioning filter could use some TLC. Its job is to prevent dust and dirt from getting into the air conditioner itself and if it isn’t cleaned regularly, you’ll suffer from inefficient cooling, heating, air filtering, and a dirty unit. The last thing you’ll want to have happen is a lack of cool air during those hot summer months.
Dryer vents can be a hidden hazard if not taking care of. Not only will you reduce the amount of dust flying around, you’ll help to avoid a fire caused by a clogged vent. If it’s clogged, you might notice your clothing taking longer to dry, there’s excessive heat in and around the room it’s located, or maybe there’s more dirt and debris around the dryer vent. Please check these regularly, not only to keep things clean, but to keep you safe.
How gross is your toilet brush and cup? If I guessed, I’d probably say they’re pretty gross because really… how often (if ever) are you cleaning them? We’ve heard you should clean them after every use, and this makes sense, but if you’re not then do it at least once a month. You can use a strong disinfectant like rubbing alcohol or white vinegar. Happy cleaning!
Daily use of your coffee maker means it needs some regular TLC. So your coffee maker might get some daily love with a quick scrub on it’s exterior walls to make it shiny, but when was the last time you ran a de-scaler through it or changed a filter? Given the amount it’s used, it’s only fair that we treat it with love and respect, and wash it regularly. Try a solution of two parts water and one part distilled white vinegar, run it through a few cycles, drain it and fill it with water only and run a few more cycles until the vinegar taste is gone.
Your microwave needs to be cleaned on the inside too. On the surface, it looks sparkly clean, but once that door opens; who knows what you’ll find. We’re all guilty of letting it go a little bit, but here’s an easy hack to clean it:
Place a bowl of water and a teaspoon of lemon juice inside the microwave and turn it on for two minutes. Let the bowl cool before removing it and then give it a wipe down. The evaporated water should help clean the residue and the lemon juice will give it that clean smell.
Your oven. That’s all we need to say to reference one of the most used appliances in your home; and also one of the last to be cleaned. How much you use it should dictate how often you clean it. We’ve read that you should wipe it down every two to three uses, but we all know that likely won’t happen. So if you’re manually cleaning your oven, once per month is better than not at all.
Many of the updated models have a self-cleaning function, making your job a little less mucky. If you’re going to use this feature though, be prepared to be out of the house for a few hours. The heat burns off the soil and residue, but it can create a strong odour and smoke, so make sure you have decent ventilation or you may be called home because of your smoke alarm.
