Even the most meticulous house cleaners miss things. Some places are difficult to get at. Some are forgotten. Some don’t seem to need cleaning that often. Here are 11 places that are overlooked but should be cleaned more regularly.
Sliding Window and Door Tracks
Sliding window and patio door tracks collect dirt, dust, and dead insects. Condensation and/or rain helps to cake it into the tracks. Use a toothbrush and dish detergent mixed with water to clean out the track. After cleaning, spray the tracks with dry silicone lubricant. Windows and doors operate smoother and the silicone helps prevent dirt from sticking.
Blinds
Blinds are large surfaces that accumulate dust floating around the house. They are often ignored because they are difficult to clean. They can be cleaned using a microfiber cloth or a Swiffer. They can be deep cleaned using warm water and dish detergent in the bathtub. Lubricate the metal parts with dry silicone spray after the blinds are dry.
Behind the Toilet
Cleaning behind the toilet is a struggle–especially if the vanity countertop extends over it. Warm water and vinegar work well to remove caked-on dirt. If your hands do not fit between the wall and toilet tank use a cloth long enough to pull from side to side. Clean the wall as well as the underside of the tank, supply line, and pedestal.
Cleaning the baseboard and floor at the same time with a cloth makes sense because mops, brooms, and vacuum cleaners rarely fit and are difficult to operate behind the toilet.
Grout
Grout–the material used to fill between tiles–becomes stained and discolored over time. If it gets dirty enough it will even grow mold. Cleaning the tiles regularly is usually not good enough. Use a mixture of warm water and baking soda with a toothbrush to deep clean the grout. Stubborn stains can be removed with grout brushes and grout cleaners available from most home improvement outlets.
Refrigerator Coils
Cooling coils attached to the back of the refrigerator are never seen and often forgotten. Dirty coils make the compressor work harder and longer–increasing energy costs and shortening refrigerator life.
Pull the refrigerator out and vacuum the coils clean with a soft brush and crevice tool attachments. Clean the compressor compartment, wall, and baseboard while you have access.
Move the Couch
Vacuuming under the couch gets most of the dirt. You need to pull the thing away from the wall to get all the dirt, cereal, chips, and peanuts off the floor. Clean the wall, baseboard, and back of the couch while you have it pulled out. Vacuuming the back of the couch keeps dust from settling on the floor.
Baseboards
Baseboards are a small part of the floor and wall assembly that is rarely inspected for dirt. Damp mop baseboards to remove loose dust and dirt. Then clean them with warm water and dish soap. Keep the mop damp–not wet. MDF absorbs water and swells. Scuff marks can usually be removed with dish detergent on a sponge or a magic eraser.
Light Fixtures and Switches
As long as the light goes on, most people don’t pay much attention to light fixtures. They collect dust and dead bugs and should be removed from their mountings and washed in warm soapy water in the sink or tub.
Switches get greasy from constant use. Dust adheres to the surface and toggles. Covers can be removed and washed in warm soapy water. Use a damp Q-tip to clean the toggles. Don’t touch any wires.
Vents
Most homeowners assume that running a vacuum or wet mop over floor vents keeps them clean. Dust and dirt adhere to the fins and underside of the cover–then blown into the home’s living space. Vent covers should be removed periodically and washed in soapy water. This is also a good opportunity to remove the Lego and food scraps from the pipe below by hand or with a vacuum cleaner.
Garbage Disposals, Sink, and Tub Drains
Clean your garbage disposal monthly–not just when it begins to smell. It is as easy as grinding a handful of ice through the machine. Add some lemon peel to the ice for a pleasant fresh smell.
Cleaning the combination of hair and soap balls out of sink and tub drains regularly prevents clogged drains and foul odors. The job is usually accomplished easily with a length of wire coat hanger that has a hook bent into one end.
Decks
Decks are usually kept clean by sweeping off loose debris and spraying with a garden hose. They should be pressure washed every two or three years, then restained and sealed to extend their lifespan and retain value. Make sure you know how to pressure wash a deck to avoid damaging it.
