All set to tackle the mess. Photo Source: Health Digest
- Discover the often-forgotten cleaning tasks that can transform your living space into a cleaner and healthier environment
Is your home genuinely as clean as you think?
Often, our cleaning routines revolve around typical tasks like dishes, vacuuming, and laundry. But what about those hidden culprits hiding in the forgotten corners of our homes? These are the quiet troublemakers, sneaking past our cleaning attention, silently gathering dust, dirt, and even unwelcome bacteria.
Though it’s easy to manage the tasks we face daily, we tend to ignore or underestimate certain cleaning duties because they don’t immediately demand our attention. These hidden tasks may seem unimportant, but they have the ability to affect your home’s atmosphere and your overall well-being.
It’s high time we acknowledge these frequently neglected tasks and include them in our usual cleaning schedules. There is no need to wait until they become too much to handle.
Let’s begin a mission to reveal these hidden cleaning jobs, guaranteeing that your home isn’t just clean but also a place of well-being and enjoyment.
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Pillows
Pillow Care. Photo Source: Thewirecutter
When did you last wash your pillows?
Chances are, it’s been a while. Pillows collect dust, sweat, bacteria, body oils, and dust mites, so they need a good cleaning to stay fresh.
Experts recommend washing them twice a year, or every three months if you live in a warm climate.
Before you start, check the tag. Some pillows, like foam ones, can’t go in the washing machine. But don’t worry, you can still give feathers, polyester, or foam-filled pillows a good hand wash.
Fill your bathtub with warm water and a few drops of detergent. Submerge the pillow and give it a gentle squeeze, making sure to rinse it well.
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Remote Control
Clean and Click. Photo Source: Popular Science
Your TV remote, that small device you use to change channels, can be a breeding ground for germs. It’s touched by everyone in your home, and germs love it.
In fact, hotel remotes are some of the germiest things out there. To keep your home clean and healthy, it’s important to clean it regularly.
Wipe it down with disinfecting wipes once a week. If you’re not too careful with your TV remote, you might want to clean it more often to prevent dust from building up in the vents, speakers, and small gaps.
As for the TV screen, a quick wipe with a soft cloth every week is usually enough unless it’s dealing with sticky spills. When you clean it, use products made for TVs, and be sure to spray the cleaner on the cloth, not directly on the TV. This will help keep your remote and TV clean and in good shape.
For machine-washable pillows, follow the tag’s instructions, wash two at a time, and add a few tennis balls during drying to fluff them. If your pillows can’t go in the dryer, wrap them in towels to soak up moisture and then let them air dry.
This will help your pillows last longer and stay fresh.
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Fan Blades
A spotless view of well-maintained fan blades. Photo Source: Luxedecor
Let’s talk about those ceiling fans in your home.
They’re often neglected, collecting more dust and dirt than you might expect over time. Considering the effort of climbing up and down, moving ladders from the storeroom to your living room or bedroom sounds like a bit of a hustle. If you rarely look up, it’s easy to miss. But here’s the thing: cleaning them is not as complicated as it might seem.
So, why bother with this chore?
Well, dirty ceiling fans not only affect how they spin but also bring in dust, don’t you think? Plus, honestly, they just don’t look very nice.
How often should you tackle this task? Try to do it around once a month, depending on how dirty they get and the changing seasons. For safety, make sure to turn off the fan and place a ladder underneath. You can use an old pillowcase or a telescoping duster. The pillowcase method is pretty nifty for a quick and mess-free cleaning.
Just slide the pillowcase over each blade, one at a time, and pull it toward you to trap the dust and dirt. After that, use a cloth with some all-purpose cleaner to wipe off any remaining grime, and don’t forget to clean the base and light.
Your ceiling fan will work better and look more attractive, too.
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Silverware Tray
A neatly arranged silverware tray for a touch of order. Photo Source: House Digest
Ever reached for a fork and found a handful of crumbs instead?
Not the most appetising experience, right?
Whether it’s the dishwasher’s fault or your kids’ messy fingers, a clean silverware tray can make a big difference in your kitchen.
Hence it is recommended to clean it once a month.
Start by removing all your silverware from the tray and emptying the leftovers into your trash can or sink. Then, create a cleaning solution with two parts water and one part distilled vinegar in a spray bottle or bowl, and use it to wipe down the tray.
If the tray is dishwasher-safe, you can run it through a cycle but don’t do this with real silverware.
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Windows
Dirty Windows Begging for a Refreshing Clean. Photo Source: Clearwash
Cleaning your windows might not be your favourite task, but it’s vital for making your windows last longer.
When you buy good-quality windows, they’re designed to serve you for many years. However, exposure to the elements can wear them down.
Dust and dirt that build up on your windows can create small scratches and flaws in the glass. If you don’t clean them regularly, these imperfections can become more visible, making your windows look less clear. Over time, this can affect how your windows look and work, potentially shortening their lifespan.
So, set a goal of two to four times a year to clean your windows. Use a gentle detergent like dish soap and water as they are an excellent window cleaner, a window-washing mop or a lint-free towel, and a wipe.
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Floors Under Furniture
Dust’s favourite hideout. Photo Source: iStock
Out of sight, out of mind, right?
We often forget about those hidden places under our beds, sofas, and large furniture where dust and dirt love to hide. Unless you’re on a mission for lost socks or your kids’ toys, these areas can be easily overlooked.
But, how often should you clean there?
Well, making it a monthly habit is a good rule of thumb. If you have hardwood or tile floors, a long-handled dust mop works wonders. If your floors are carpeted, use your vacuum cleaner.
And here’s a pro tip, don’t hesitate to move the furniture if necessary to get to those sneaky dust.
Start by scrubbing the windows to loosen dirt, repeat if necessary, and then use a wiper for the glass for a sparkling finish. Don’t forget to wipe the edges with a lint-free towel.
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Trash Can
From Filthy to Fresh. Photo Source: Bestlifeonline
Does your kitchen trash can look worn out, even though you empty it often?
It’s a common problem. Bags tear, spills happen, and sometimes there’s no bag when you need it. Let’s face it, your trash cans need cleaning, whether you feel like it or not.
Aim for every few weeks or at least once a month and give that trusty trash can a good scrub. Start by clearing out all the trash and ensuring there are no food remnants left. If possible, take the trash can outside for a thorough spray-down with a garden hose.
Then, it’s time to get down to scrubbing the can inside and out. A non-toxic cleaner like dish soap or a mixture of vinegar and water will do the job. After a thorough scrub, make sure to rinse the can well.
To get rid of the odours and tackle any stains, sprinkle the interior with baking soda. Create a paste by scrubbing it and letting it sit for a few minutes. Give it another good rinse, and if you can, let it dry in the sunshine.
Your freshly cleaned trash can will reward you with a fresher and more pleasant kitchen.
To A Cleaner Home
In a nutshell, cleaning can be a tiring and time-consuming task, especially with our already busy lives. The good news is that you don’t have to tackle these often neglected cleaning tasks every day or even every week. As mentioned in each description, some of these chores only require attention every few months. By incorporating them into your cleaning routine periodically, you’ll prevent them from becoming overwhelming tasks on their own.
Cleaning doesn’t have to be a burden when you spread out the work. Over time, as you address these hidden cleaning tasks here and there, you’ll find that your overall cleaning workload decreases. When you’re proactive about it, cleaning becomes more manageable and less daunting.
The result? A home that not only looks cleaner and more inviting but also provides a comfortable and healthy living environment. So remember, those little extra efforts here and there will go a long way in making your space a better place to live.
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