Spring is here, and that means it’s time for spring cleaning. With the COVID-19 pandemic still spreading, it’s more important than ever to give your home a deep clean and get the dirt and grime out after a long winter.
As you clear out the clutter and work to get your home sparkling clean, though, there are a few areas you don’t want to overlook. These areas are easy to miss, but they can harbor dirt, germs, allergens, and dust that keep your home from looking and smelling its best and from being as healthy as possible.
Be Sure to Clean These Areas This Spring
1. Kitchen Appliances
Your spring cleaning to-do list probably includes a deep clean of the dishwasher, oven and fridge, but now’s a great time to clean under and behind appliances as well. Dust, pet hair, and even food can get underneath the fridge, stove, and dishwasher and build up, eventually causing odors and attracting pests. Excess dust under the fridge can also reduce its efficiency. Pull all of the appliances out from the wall, and clean the floor underneath. Clean the coils and the sides of the appliances with a cleaning brush and vacuum, then wipe everything down – including the walls — with a damp rag and soap.
2. Ceiling Fans
Dust can build up quickly on your ceiling fans. In fact, it only takes about a month for visible dust to form on the blades. If you have used the fan over the winter, and don’t regularly clean the blades, it’s likely there’s a fairly significant buildup, and it will all go flying around the room every time you turn on the ceiling fan. Use a long-handled duster to remove the surface debris, and then carefully wipe the blades with a damp cloth.
3. Drapes and Curtains
Like ceiling fans, window treatments can hold dirt, dust, and pet hair, which can exacerbate allergies. The fabric can also hold odors from pets, cooking, and anything else in the air. Every spring, take down the curtain and clean them according to the care instructions. While they are down, wash the windows and dust window shades and blinds with a damp cloth.
4. Shower Curtains
Like your window curtains, fabric shower curtains also collect debris and odors. They may also be hiding mold and mildew spores if they get wet regularly. They also attract bacteria and soap scum. When scrubbing the bathroom, take down the shower curtain and run it through the washing machine with a cup of baking soda to get it fresh and clean. You can also wash the liner, or simply replace it with a fresh, new one.
5. Door Frames and Baseboards
You might be vigilant about cleaning your doorknobs and handles to remove germ, but when was the last time you cleaned the door frames and baseboards? Not only does your family probably touch the door frames more than you realize, but the top of the frame is out of sight, and therefore likely to be very dusty. Baseboards can also collect dust and dirt, especially when you have pets. Use a damp cloth with dish detergent or an antibacterial cleaner to get these areas clean and kill the germs.
6. Trash Cans and Cleaning Supplies
It might feel strange to clean your cleaning supplies, but your mops, sponges, toilet brushes, and other gear are probably the germiest, dirtiest places in your home. Not to mention, a grimy trash can is likely to be the source of many unpleasant odors. When you are done cleaning, take care to clean and sanitize the tools you used. Run reusable cleaning cloths through the washing machine with hot water and soak the mop head and toilet brush in a bleach solution to kill germs. Throw away sponges and shake out your dusters to keep from bringing the dust back into your home.
To clean the trash can, clean it with water and a vinegar or bleach solution. Scrub the inside, as well as the lid and handles. Ideally, you should sanitize the can regularly to keep it clean and fresh.
Taking care of these tasks might feel like extra work, but when you do, you can feel confident that your home is clean, and your family is safer from germs and allergens.
