In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to overlook certain household items when it comes to cleaning. While we diligently scrub countertops, mop floors, and dust shelves, there are numerous overlooked nooks and crannies that harbor dirt, germs, and grime.
These forgotten areas not only compromise the cleanliness of our homes but also pose potential health risks if left unattended. In this article, we’ll explore some commonly overlooked household items that deserve our cleaning attention.
The Kitchen
- Refrigerator Coils: Behind the scenes of your trusty refrigerator lies a network of coils responsible for keeping your food cool. Over time, these coils accumulate dust, pet hair, and other debris, hindering their efficiency. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to gently remove the buildup and ensure optimal performance.
- Can Opener: Ever noticed the gunk that accumulates on the blade of your can opener? This often overlooked utensil can harbor harmful bacteria if not cleaned regularly. After each use, give your can opener a thorough wash with warm, soapy water, paying special attention to the crevices where food residue tends to accumulate.
- Kitchen Sink Drain: Despite being a hotspot for food particles and bacteria, the kitchen sink drain is often neglected during cleaning routines. To keep your sink smelling fresh and prevent clogs, pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain, followed by hot water. For deeper cleaning, use a drain brush to dislodge any stubborn buildup.
- Coffee Maker: Your morning cup of joe may be brewing more than just caffeine if you neglect to clean your coffee maker regularly. Mineral deposits, mold, and bacteria can accumulate in the reservoir and brewing mechanism over time. To clean your coffee maker, run a cycle with equal parts water and vinegar, followed by several rinses with water.
The Bathroom
- Shower Curtain Liner: While we’re busy scrubbing the shower tiles, the shower curtain liner often goes unnoticed. Over time, soap scum and mildew can accumulate on the liner, creating an unsightly and unhygienic environment. To clean your shower curtain liner, remove it from the hooks and wash it in the washing machine with a mild detergent and a few towels to scrub away the buildup.
- Toothbrush Holder: Your toothbrush holder may seem innocuous, but it can harbor millions of bacteria if not cleaned regularly. To prevent the spread of germs, rinse your toothbrush holder with hot water and dish soap every few days. For a deeper clean, soak it in a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar.
- Bathroom Exhaust Fan: The exhaust fan in your bathroom plays a crucial role in removing excess moisture and odors, but it can also become a breeding ground for dust and mildew. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust from the fan blades and grille. For deeper cleaning, wipe the grille with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
- Toilet Brush Holder: Last but not least, the humble toilet brush holder deserves a spot on your cleaning checklist. After each use, rinse the brush thoroughly and allow it to air dry before returning it to the holder. To clean the holder itself, soak it in a solution of bleach and water, then scrub with a brush and rinse thoroughly.
Living Spaces Household Items
- Remote Controls: From changing channels to adjusting the volume, remote controls are constantly in our hands, yet rarely cleaned. To disinfect your remote controls, wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe or a cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Pay special attention to the buttons and crevices where dirt and grime tend to accumulate.
- Light Switches: Every time you enter a room, you flick the light switch, but how often do you clean it? Light switches are a magnet for fingerprints, dirt, and bacteria, yet they’re often overlooked during cleaning routines. To clean your light switches, wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe or a cloth dampened with soapy water.
- Lampshades: While we may dust the base of our lamps regularly, the lampshade often goes untouched. Over time, dust and pet hair can accumulate on the surface of the lampshade, detracting from its appearance and compromising indoor air quality. To clean your lampshade, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment or a lint roller to remove surface dust.
- Throw Pillows and Blankets: Whether you’re lounging on the sofa or snuggling up in bed, throw pillows and blankets are a cozy addition to any living space. However, they can also harbor allergens, dust mites, and pet dander if not cleaned regularly. To keep your throw pillows and blankets fresh, launder them according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and don’t forget to vacuum the cushions and upholstery underneath.
Bedroom
- Mattress: We spend a third of our lives sleeping, yet the mattress often gets overlooked when it comes to cleaning. Dust mites, sweat, and dead skin cells can accumulate on the surface of the mattress, leading to allergies and respiratory issues. To clean your mattress, vacuum it thoroughly with a upholstery attachment, then spot clean any stains with a mixture of mild detergent and water.
- Pillows: Just like mattresses, pillows can harbor dust mites, allergens, and bacteria if not cleaned regularly. Most pillows are machine washable, but be sure to check the care label for specific instructions. To fluff up your pillows and remove any lingering odors, toss them in the dryer with a couple of tennis balls or dryer balls.
- Bedside Tables: From glasses of water to bedtime reading material, bedside tables are a convenient catch-all for nighttime essentials. However, they can also become cluttered and dusty if not cleaned regularly. To clean your bedside tables, remove everything from the surface and wipe them down with a damp cloth or disinfectant wipe.
- Ceiling Fan: Last but not least, don’t forget to look up when cleaning your bedroom. Ceiling fans are notorious for collecting dust and allergens, which can be redistributed throughout the room every time the fan is turned on. To clean your ceiling fan, use a long-handled duster or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove the dust from the blades.
Laundry Room
- Washing Machine: Ironically, the appliance responsible for cleaning our clothes can become dirty itself if not properly maintained. Over time, mold, mildew, and soap scum can accumulate inside the washing machine, leading to foul odors and unsanitary conditions. To clean your washing machine, run a cycle with hot water and white vinegar, then wipe down the drum and door seal with a damp cloth.
- Dryer Vent: A clogged dryer vent not only reduces the efficiency of your dryer but also poses a serious fire hazard. To prevent lint buildup, clean your dryer vent regularly using a vent brush or vacuum cleaner attachment. If you notice that your clothes are taking longer to dry than usual, it may be time to clean the vent.
- Laundry Baskets: While we diligently wash our clothes, the laundry baskets that hold them often go overlooked. Over time, bacteria, mold, and mildew can accumulate on the surface of the laundry basket, creating an unsanitary environment for your freshly laundered clothes. To clean your laundry basket, wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe or a cloth dampened with soapy water.
- Iron and Ironing Board: Ironing may not be the most enjoyable chore, but it’s essential for keeping your clothes looking crisp and wrinkle-free. However, if your iron and ironing board are dirty, they can leave stains and marks on your clothes. To clean your iron, fill the reservoir with equal parts water and white vinegar, then run a steam cycle to flush out any mineral deposits. For the ironing board, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth or disinfectant wipe.
Home Office
- Computer Keyboard and Mouse: Whether you’re working from home or browsing the web, your computer keyboard and mouse are constantly in use. However, they can also harbor thousands of bacteria if not cleaned regularly. To disinfect your keyboard and mouse, wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe or a cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol. For deeper cleaning, use compressed air to remove crumbs and debris from between the keys.
- Desk Organizers: From pens and pencils to paper clips and sticky notes, desk organizers are a convenient way to keep your workspace tidy. However, they can also become cluttered and dusty if not cleaned regularly. To clean your desk organizers, remove everything from the compartments and wipe them down with a damp cloth or disinfectant wipe.
- Printer: While we may diligently replace the ink cartridges and paper in our printers, the exterior often goes unnoticed. Dust and debris can accumulate on the surface of the printer, hindering its performance and reducing print quality. To clean your printer, wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth or disinfectant wipe, being careful not to get any moisture inside the machine.
- Phone Charger Cables: Last but not least, don’t forget to clean your phone charger cables. Whether you’re charging your smartphone or tablet, charger cables can accumulate dust, dirt, and bacteria over time. To clean your charger cables, wipe them down with a damp cloth or disinfectant wipe, paying special attention to the connectors.
Outdoor Spaces
- Garbage Cans: From food scraps to household waste, garbage cans can harbor a variety of germs and bacteria if not cleaned regularly. To clean your garbage cans, rinse them out with hot, soapy water, then spray them with a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. For stubborn stains and odors, sprinkle baking soda inside the can before rinsing.
- Outdoor Furniture: Whether you’re lounging on the patio or dining al fresco, outdoor furniture is exposed to the elements year-round. Over time, dirt, pollen, and bird droppings can accumulate on the surface of your outdoor furniture, detracting from its appearance and comfort. To clean your outdoor furniture, hose it down with water, then scrub it with a mild detergent and a brush. For stubborn stains, use a commercial cleaner formulated for outdoor use.
- Doormats: Your doormat is the first line of defense against dirt and debris entering your home, but it can also become dirty and worn over time. To clean your doormat, shake it out regularly to remove loose dirt and debris, then hose it down with water and scrub it with a brush and mild detergent. Allow the doormat to air dry completely before placing it back at your door.
- Grill: If you enjoy outdoor grilling, you know how important it is to keep your grill clean and well-maintained. Over time, grease, food residue, and carbon buildup can accumulate on the grates and interior surfaces of your grill, compromising the flavor of your food and posing a fire hazard. To clean your grill, heat it up to high temperature to burn off any residue, then scrub the grates with a wire brush and wash the interior surfaces with warm, soapy water.
Tips for Regular Maintenance
Maintaining a clean and hygienic home requires more than just occasional deep cleaning sessions. To keep your household running smoothly, consider incorporating these tips into your regular cleaning routine:
- Establishing a Cleaning Schedule: Set aside time each week to tackle different cleaning tasks around the house. By breaking up the workload into manageable chunks, you can ensure that no area gets neglected.
- Using Appropriate Cleaning Products: Not all cleaning products are created equal, so be sure to use the right product for the job. Whether you’re tackling grease in the kitchen or soap scum in the bathroom, choose cleaning products that are specifically formulated to target the problem at hand.
- Incorporating Cleaning Into Daily Routines: Instead of waiting for messes to accumulate, try to clean up as you go throughout the day. Whether it’s wiping down kitchen countertops after cooking or tidying up the living room before bed, small acts of cleaning can add up over time.
- Getting Everyone Involved: Maintaining a clean and tidy home is a team effort, so don’t be afraid to enlist the help of family members or roommates. By dividing up the chores and working together as a team, you can keep your household running smoothly and enjoy a clean and hygienic living environment.
Conclusion
Maintaining a clean and hygienic home requires attention to detail and a willingness to tackle even the most overlooked areas.
By incorporating these commonly forgotten household items into your cleaning routine, you can ensure that your home remains clean, comfortable, and safe for you and your family.
At Gesan Cleaning Services we offer the following cleaning servicese: Office Cleaning Services, Post Construction Cleaning, Highrise Window Cleaning, Event Cleaning, Sanitary Bins Services, Garbage Collection Services, House Cleaning, Sofa Set Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning, Mattress Cleaning, Swimming Pool Cleaning, Gardening & Landscaping Services, Fumigation & Pest Control Services, Bed Bugs Control, Cockroaches Control, Termites Control, Mosquitoes Control, Bees Removal Services, cutains and window blinds cleaning and Rodents Control.
