Spring is here, the trees are blooming, and you’ve been busy with your annual Spring cleaning. So, do you think you are finally done with your Spring cleaning? You might want to think again, because today I’m sharing 10 of the most overlooked Spring cleaning tasks. Chances are, you’ve overlooked some of these tasks, too. Let’s take a look and see!
Light bulbs
Did you realize that dust covered light bulbs can decrease the light output by as much as 30%? That’s a big waste of energy! Carefully remove the light bulbs around your home and remove dust with a small cloth before reattaching them. You’ll see your home in a whole new light!
Refrigerator coils and the top of fridge
You should clean your refrigerator coils twice a year to keep it working properly. Unplug it, then remove the grill, then use a brush or vacuum attachment to remove any dust and debris. You can find a brush especially designed for this at your local hardware store.
Grout
Is the grout between your tile dingy and dirty? Using a grout brush or toothbrush, scrub grout with a mixture of half vinegar/half water to remove any stains. Rinse and let dry. Apply grout sealer with a small sponge brush to help protect it from future stains.
Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuum cleaners need cleaning, too! Not only should you empty the bag/canister regularly, but read your owners manual to determine if the filter should be replaced. Also, with the vacuum unplugged, check the brush bar and remove any hair or other debris wrapped around it that would prevent proper pick up.
Washing machine
Washing machines, especially front-loaders, are prone to mildew growth. To clean the inside of your washer, run a cycle using hot water with a quart of bleach. To clean the rubber door seal, use a household cleaner with bleach to remove any stains and hidden mildew. Don’t forget the dispenser! Use a household cleaner to remove any detergent or mildew residue.
Shower head
Remove mineral deposits and stains from your shower head using a natural cleaner from your pantry-vinegar. I remove my shower head and soak it in vinegar over night, but if you can’t remove your shower head there’s still a way to soak it. Fill a plastic bag with vinegar and attach it to your shower head using a strong rubber band. Once you rinse the shower head, if there are any remaining stains, scrub with a small brush to loosen the stains.
Trash Cans
Everyone knows trash cans are among the dirtiest areas of our homes, but how many times do you actually clean them? This can be very important, especially if you let your trash pile up and the trash regularly touches the lid. When food and liquid escapes trash bags, mildew and bad smells usually follow. Wearing gloves, disinfect the trash cans in your home by wiping them out with a liquid cleaner.
Dishwasher
Yes, your dishwasher deserves a good cleaning, too! This one’s easy, because a dishwasher cleaner from your local grocery store will do all the work for you. All you have to do is place it in your empty dishwasher and run a cycle. You will not only notice a cleaner dishwasher, but your dishes will look cleaner, too, after you do this.
Pillows
When was the last time you washed your pillows? Exactly! Read the care labels on your pillows to see if they are machine washable. If so, be sure to use the gentle cycle and wash only a couple of pillows at the time. You may have to do an extra rinse, too. If you can’t wash your pillow, be sure to remove and wash the cover. You can toss foam pillows that can’t be washed in the dryer on the fluff cycle to remove any dust before slipping them back into their covers.
Computer Keyboards
Some studies have shown that the average keyboard has more germs than a toilet. I’m not sure if this is the case in my home or yours, but it does call attention to the importance of this commonly overlooked task. Remove any debris from your keyboard using a small vacuum or can of compressed gas cleaner. Wipe the keys and surface of your keyboard clean with Isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth.
So, are you really done with your Spring cleaning, or did you miss some of these important tasks? Don’t worry, Spring is still here and there’s plenty of time to get these tasks done. Why not get started today?
Like this post? You may also enjoy:
Overlooked, indeed! The only one of these I’ve done so far is my garbage can! I hadn’t even thought of cleaning out my vacuum or dusting the light bulbs, but I definitely should. My grout could also use a good scrub. We’re moving out of our apartment soon, so I really need to get a move on. I don’t want to be charged a cleaning fee if we don’t leave it clean enough! Thanks for sharing these reminders. 🙂
Thanks, Brittany. Sounds like you better get to work! Ha, I need to do a few of these, too. Thanks for stopping by!
Lots of great reminders and ideas! I’ve been putting off the grout cleaning because it’s probably my most hated cleaning chore! Soon!
Ugh, I wish I had grout to clean….I have missing chunks of grout at my entryway and in my bathroom. I need to spend some time on YouTube figuring out how to re-grout my tiles! 🙁
omg the whole keyboard thing just made me gag. guess I have to clean it now! thanks a lot haha. Do you want to know another thing that has more germs than a toilet…a table at a restaurant! They use the same rag over and over to wipe the tables down and it spreads germs. I read that in a study once..and now I panic when I see Kenleigh pick something up off the table and put in anywhere close to her mouth lol
Yes, I’m not so worried about my keyboard since I bought a new computer recently, but now I’m going to do my best to keep it clean! Yes, tables at some restaurants smell stinky so you know they’ve been using the same dish rag for hours. That’s why I never eat stuff that touches the table…or floor! 🙂
I hate cleaning grout so much. It’s the worst part of home cleaning. Thanks for the reminder to go clean mine 🙂
That’s what I’m here for! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Ugh the grout…not an easy task. We need to remodel one of our bathrooms, but in the meantime we have white tile and white grout with 3 very active kids and 2 big dogs. Yeah it does not stay white long. Thanks for sharing. I forget about the light bulbs.