You may think your home is spotless, but there are those areas that many of us forget to clean. These commonly overlooked cleaning tasks could be the reason your home has an odor that you just can’t seem to find or why your dog is covered in dust bunnies. Let’s take a closer look at 15 cleaning tasks you have have forgotten so you can add them back to your chore list.
Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal can definitely be the source of an unknown odor. The good news is you can quickly and easily freshen your disposal by throwing in some wedges of lemon. The lemon will sanitize the area and the oils in the skin will help with any odors.
Air Return Vents
Dust has the tendency to get trapped into the air return vents in your home causing your home to work harder than it should to keep you warm and/or cool. Use a vacuum or duster to remove the dust from the vents.
Trash Cans
Sometimes trash bags leak and it goes unnoticed. If you have a strange odor in your kitchen, check your trash can. A trash can is easy to wash and it’s easier to go ahead and wash all your trash cans at once. Take the empty trash cans outside and fill with water, dish soap, and bleach. Allow the cans to sit and then wash out with your hose set to a high-powered spray. Let the cans dry and you’re done.
Baseboards
When was the last time you cleaned your baseboards? This is the chore I forget the most, so I should have put it first on this list! While some recommend using a fabric sheet to clean the dust from your baseboards to prevent dust from sticking again, I like to use my vacuum for this chore. It’s pretty easy other than getting around furniture. However you decide to do it, do it regularly to prevent dirt from getting trapped into the little crevices.
Behind the Fridge and Under the Oven
If you place items on top of your fridge, you not only want to clean the top of your fridge, but behind it. Chances are lots of things have fallen behind it. While you’ve got it pulled out you can also clean the floor. Another appliance you may not think to clean under is your stove. Again, you’ll probably find lots of stuff under there and the floor could probably stand a good scrubbing.
Under Rugs
Chances are you vacuum the rugs in your home once a week, but what about under the rugs? If you haven’t vacuumed under them in a long time, you could be in for a nasty surprise. You’ll probably have a line of dirt all the way around the edge where the rug was. If you’ve got rugs on top of carpet, you will probably want to shampoo the carpet underneath.
Doorknobs and Switch Plates
Doorknobs and switch plates have the tendency to get greasy and grimy over time. Use a disinfectant wipe to keep them clean and erase any traces of dirt and fingerprints.
Doors and Trim
Doors and trim are another commonly missed cleaning task that’s a must, especially if your doors have indentions that collect dust. Use a damp cloth to wipe down doors and and trim around them.
Medicine Cabinet
When was the last time you checked the dates on the medicines in your medicine cabinet? The last thing you need is to find expired medications when you really need them. Make it a habit to check on your medicines periodically to make sure everything is up to date so you’ll have when you need when you need it.
Tops of Pictures and Picture Frames
You could have a layer of dust hiding on top of the pictures and frames hanging on your wall. Lightly run a duster or damp rag across the top of your pictures and picture frames each week to keep them dust free.
Under the Beds
Take the time run a vacuum or dust mop or vacuum under the beds at least once a month. This will take care of any dust bunnies so that your pets and children can hide under the bed without being covered in dust.
Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures
It’s easy to forget to clean ceiling fans and light fixtures, especially when you have super tall ceilings like I do! Use a duster with an extender to help you reach those hard to reach areas. You can purchase an attachment for your vacuum that makes cleaning ceiling fan blades a breeze. Check your Lowe’s or Home Depot store to see if they carry it.
Window Tracks
Dirt and debris have the tendency to get caught in the tracks of your window. This is one of those tasks that you don’t enjoy doing, but if you do it often it won’t build up into a huge task that requires much more effort. Trust me on this, because I’m guilty as charged when it comes to this task. I’m adding it to my list pronto!
Remotes and Small Electronics
Remotes and small electronics are little bacteria traps that need cleaning, too. Use a cleaning wipe to clean them of dirt, debris and germs.
Upholstered Furniture
I’m so glad almost all of my furniture has slipcovers I can remove and clean, but there is one couch I have to remember to clean. I make sure I use my vacuum attach to suck up any hidden dirt to keep it clean. You can spot clean any places that need it, too. Think of how often you sit on your furniture and decide if you want to forget this task in the future. I bet you don’t, do you?
You may think your home is spotless, but there are always those places that people forget to clean. Once you have them on your list though, you’ll always remember them. Be sure to add these 15 cleaning tasks you may have forgotten to your to do list!
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