Don’t Miss the Mess: Seven Spaces in Your Home You Might Not Think to Clean

Wouldn’t it be nice if your Roomba could clean every nook and cranny of your home? Unfortunately, Roombas and humans alike often miss some of the dirtiest spots in our living spaces.

From filth under appliances to dirty ceiling fans, you might be surprised at just how unclean your home truly is when you take a closer look. By deep cleaning these spots, you can feel satisfied with your sparkling new space while also reducing potential hazards in your home.

Whether you’re in the process of moving and need to deep clean your house or you’ve just moved in to a previously-owned home, be sure to tackle these seven often-missed spots:

1. Ceiling Fans

When deep cleaning your home, it’s best to start with high-up spaces. This way, you can work from the top to the bottom without wiping dust down on top of freshly cleaned areas.

Start by looking up at your ceiling fans. If they’re extremely dirty, you’ll probably see the dust creeping over the blades.

Be careful when cleaning your ceiling fan. Always turn your ceiling fan off before cleaning and wait for it to make a full stop. Wipe the blades down with an all-purpose cleaner, starting from the inside of the blade and working outward.

2. Kitchen and Bathroom Exhaust Fans

Exhaust fans are essential for removing excess moisture from your bathroom after you take a shower or making the kitchen smell nicer after cooking a meal. Unfortunately, they are commonly left ignored until they begin to malfunction.

The good news is that kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans only need to be cleaned once a year. To clean them properly, here is what you need to do:

Shut off the fan through your circuit breaker before using a step stool to remove the cover.

Using a vacuum dust attachment, vacuum as much dust as you can from the cover and follow up with a microfiber dusting cloth.

Use the vacuum attachment to clean around the fan motor.

Replace the cover and remember to turn the power back on at the circuit breaker.

3. Curtains and Blinds

When was the last time you cleaned your curtains and blinds? If the answer is never, don’t feel too bad. Most people forget this chore!

First, vacuum your curtains with the upholstery attachment. If your curtains have stains, spot treat the area by dipping a sponge in a mixture of mild detergent and warm water. Gently sponge the area and let it sit for a while before finishing with a damp sponge.

You can usually wash sheer curtains on a delicate cycle in cold water. However, always read the care label first to be sure!

For blinds, dust them first using a lamb’s wool duster and brushing downward. Spray an all-purpose cleaner onto a microfiber cloth to wipe stains and spots off your blinds.

4. Walls

If you’re moving into an apartment or a home that was once lived in by kids, chances are good that the walls will have a few stains. If you’re planning on painting your walls, it’s important that they are clean first.

To wipe these down properly, fill a bucket with warm water and a teaspoon of dish soap. Dip a sponge mop into the bucket, wring it out thoroughly and apply it to the wall in a gentle upward then downward motion — similar to how you would paint a wall with a roller.

To dry the wall, simply place a microfiber cloth on a flathead mop and make the same motion.

5. Baseboards

As with any horizontal surface, baseboards can quickly become dusty and need regular cleaning. The good news is that they are easy to clean!

Just attach the bristle attachment to your vacuum and run it along the baseboards. You can also use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the baseboards, followed by a damp microfiber cloth.

6. Refrigerator Coils

Dust, dirt and pet hair can become trapped in your refrigerator coils, causing it to run much less efficiently than it should. Before you clean this area, make sure to unplug your refrigerator or turn the power off completely.

Remove the grill from the bottom of the refrigerator and shine a flashlight underneath to see where you need to clean. Next, take a condenser coil cleaning brush and gently sweep the area to clean out dirt and dust.

If you want your refrigerator to run in peak condition, you can also pull the refrigerator out and clean the fan in the back using a vacuum attachment. Use caution when pulling your refrigerator out from the wall!

7. Washing Machine

A lot of people believe that their washing machine doesn’t need to be cleaned because it’s self-cleaning. But if you’ve noticed a strange smell from your machine, it could be sneaking its way into your clothes as well.

Fortunately, cleaning your washing machine is easy. All you need to do is to fill your machine, pour in vinegar in place of detergent and run it on a hot cycle. Then, scrub the inside with a vinegar and hot water mixture, making sure to get the rubber seal.

Finally, run one more hot cycle without any vinegar. Repeat this twice a year to keep your washing machine free of bacteria and grime.

A Clean Home is a Happy Home

Giving your home a deep clean may seem daunting. But think of it this way: You’re making things much easier on yourself in the future. A thorough cleaning now will help make routine maintenance fast and simple.

Besides, you’ll feel immensely satisfied knowing that your house is polished and sanitized from room to room.

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