Even if you regularly clean your home, it may not be quite as clean as you think it is. If you are like most homeowners, you probably miss certain areas on a regular basis. The section below outlines the eight most forgotten spots for cleaning in a typical home. Adding these areas to your regular cleaning routine can make a big difference in the overall cleanliness of your space.
1. Your doorknobs. Doorknobs are constantly exposed to germs. Every time someone reaches out and touches them, the germs from their hands are transferred onto the surface. When was the last time that you cleaned your doorknobs? Using a disinfecting spray or wipe to clean them on a weekly basis can help minimize the spread of germs, creating a cleaner, healthier home.
2.Your light switches. Much like doorknobs, light switches get touched on a daily basis. They are easy to overlook, meaning that you may not clean them as frequently as you should. Again, try to clean and disinfect them at least once a week to keep your space as clean as possible.
3. Your heating or cooling vents. If you have a forced air heating system or a central air conditioner, you most likely have vents throughout your home. Typically, these vents are covered with grills or registers. Over time, dust, hair, and other types of debris can build up on the registers. If you have floor vents, these items can also fall down through the register into your ductwork. Try vacuuming out your registers and the visible portions of your ducts periodically to keep dirt and debris to a minimum. This can result in better indoor air quality.
4. The tops of your doors. Even if you dust every other surface in your home, it is easy to forget about the tops of your doors. Like any other horizontal surface, however, dust tends to accumulate on them. When you do your weekly dusting, don’t forget to run a cloth over the top of each door in your home, as well.
5. Your baseboards. Baseboards are installed around the outer perimeter of each room in your home. They usually have small ledges and crevices that are designed to make them more decorative. Over time, dirt and dust can build up on your baseboards, which can make your home look a little bit dingy. Periodically wipe down your baseboards with a damp cloth to keep them looking their best.
6. Your showerhead. It is easy to overlook your showerhead when you are cleaning your bathtub or shower. Unfortunately, hard water deposits, mold, and other contaminants can build up on your showerhead over time. Every few months, try removing your showerhead and soaking it in vinegar. This will help remove any hard water deposits while at the same time killing mold, helping to ensure that you always have a smooth, even flow of water.
7. Under your furniture. Even if you vacuum your floor on a weekly basis, you probably don’t take the time to vacuum underneath and behind large furniture pieces. Dirt and grime can easily accumulate in these areas. Use the wand tool to vacuum out the space underneath your furniture on a regular basis.
8. Your curtains. Even though you most likely open and close your curtains on a daily basis, when was the last time that you really stopped to look at them? Like any surface in your home, dust can accumulate on them over time, making them look dingy and faded. Shaking them out or throwing them in the washing machine can refresh them, creating a brighter, fresher look.
These eight spots are the most commonly overlooked when it comes to cleaning. Adding all of these steps to your cleaning routine can result in a much cleaner, healthier home.
