Discover how to clean neglected spots in your home effortlessly for a healthier, fresher living space.
Some household cleaning routines happen every day. You clean your dishes, wash your laundry and even spray your kitchen counters. What about the other little areas that go weeks or months without any attention? Use this guide to cleaning overlooked items in your home and enjoy a more sanitary environment without extra effort.
1. Get Reusable Rags
Dust collects everywhere. It’s on your bookshelves, side tables and ceiling fan blades. Dusters are helpful, but they can deteriorate quickly. Replacing them costs tons of money in the long run. Get reusable rags or cut up old clothing and dampen them before dusting.
Researchers found that dust causes thousands of premature deaths annually due to infiltrating the bloodstream via the lungs. Having a dust-fighting basket of rags that easily go through the washing machine could help you stay healthier because it’ll be easier to dust your home.
2. Check Hidden Filters
You may replace the air filters in your HVAC ventilation system, but there are others that keep your home clean too. Many refrigerators have air filters and dishwashers use filters to keep food particles out of drainage systems. Check your appliances to clean these filters by washing and scrubbing them. If the particles don’t come off, you can replace them as needed.
3. Wash Your Throw Pillows
Throw pillows make furniture more comfortable. They’re also extra surface space that catches things. When did you last clean your throw pillows to remove sweat, pet dander, liquid spills or smeared food?
It’s best to wash your throw pillows every week or two, depending on your family’s routine. Watch how much laundry detergent you use though. Adding too much soap can create a sticky residue on your pillow cases even after going through a complete wash cycle. Read the instructions on your detergent bottle to measure it correctly.
4. Wash Outdoor Furniture Cushions
You may have cushioned furniture if you have a front or back porch. They’re easier to sit on than wooden rocking chairs or benches, but they create a new potential for mold. When mold spores fly into the air when someone sits down, breathing them causes respiratory illnesses in kids and even lung infections.
Check the tags on your outdoor furniture cushions to read their washing instructions. If you wash them after rainstorms or periods of high humidity, your porch will be a safer place to lounge with your loved ones.
5. Run Your Coffee Maker Cleaning Cycle
Your morning coffee gives you extra energy, lowers your risk of Type 2 diabetes and makes each day more enjoyable. Many people couldn’t imagine going a day without it, which means the machines making that coffee are always in use.
Clean your coffee machine every two weeks by taking it apart and washing the internal parts that are safe for water contact. The user manual will show you how to do this. If you didn’t keep the manual, check out websites that store household appliance manuals to find what you need without making another purchase.
Don’t forget about descaling your machine as well. The descaling solution runs through the internal parts after you press a brew setting. It removes buildup due to your water’s mineral content. Schedule a calendar reminder to do this every six months or sooner if you have significantly hard water where you live.
6. Vacuum Your Curtains
Most standard vacuums come with a handheld extension and a brush nozzle. Use that extension on your curtains at least once a month. You’ll remove dust that makes them unsightly and contributes to your home’s air quality. Your vacuum may even have a suction adjustment setting so it doesn’t accidentally pull the curtain into the nozzle.
7. Spray the Furniture
Everyone hangs out on your household furniture. The fabric on couches, recliners, beds and more can retain bacteria and become places for their colonies to thrive. Even in hospitals with strict cleaning schedules, researchers found a higher number of aerobic bacteria on hand textile contact areas.
Use an aerosolized antibacterial spray when people aren’t on your furniture to kill the bacteria without leaving stains. It’s a quick solution and perfect for parts that can’t fit in your washing machine, like couch cushions. You’ll quickly find your home smells better when the bacterial colonies aren’t producing odors from the fabric.
8. Set Recurring Reminders
People forget to clean certain items because they’re easy to overlook when life gets busy. Create recurring reminders in your printed or digital calendars. You’ll never forget when it’s time to clean these items and make your home a healthier environment without any extra stress.
Clean Overlooked Items With Less Hassle
Anyone can start cleaning overlooked items in their home with simple guides like these. Consider how often these things get dirty to determine how often you should clean them. Taking extra small steps like rinsing filters, washing throw pillows, and dusting differently could keep your loved ones healthier.
Cora’s passion is to inspire others to live a happy, healthful, and mindful life through her words on Revivalist – wholeheartedly convincing them that everyday moments are worth celebrating. Cora has spent 5+ years writing for numerous lifestyle sites – hence her sincere love for both life and the beauty of style in all things. Keep up with Cora on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.
Want to stay in the know? I’d really love that! (((HUGS))) |
Like … on Facebook | Follow … on Pinterest | Follow … on Instagram | |
Leave a Reply