When you walk into a room, you know what you have to clean. Dirty clothes, dust on the furniture or on the floor, the kitchen full of dirty dishes… It is easy to see and it is necessary to do it to maintain a clean and hygienic home. But, also, you should keep in mind the parts that are not seen so much and that you may forget to clean from time to time.
Furniture bottom
When you look under a bed or a sofa, there are usually a few piles of dust that can be captured quickly with a vacuum cleaner. But did you take the time to look at the actual background of the piece of furniture? You might be surprised at what you find clinging to the bed frames, chair seats, and behind the sofa. Use your vacuum to remove the dust to get rid of all the dirt that is there.
Walls and baseboards
Dust and grime can adhere to both vertical and horizontal surfaces. Open the curtains or blinds and turn on all the lights and you will be amazed at how fluff your walls can be. If you have textured wallpaper, there will still be more dust.
Start at the top of the wall and work with a duster that catches the particles. Finish off by cleaning off any stray marks or dirt from the body that may be around the light switches and doorknobs.
Finish cleaning your wall by paying attention to baseboards. A surprising amount of dust can accumulate on those little shelves. In rooms like kitchens and bathrooms where there is more humidity, you will probably need to wipe the baseboards with a damp cloth because the humidity has turned the dust into dirt that sticks to the surface.
Air filters
If your home has central heat or air, there are ducts that connect the system to the living spaces in your home. Hot or cold treated air exits the vents and then returns to the air handling system.
If the air returning to the system is not filtered to trap dust and pollen particles, they will simply return to the living space. Whatever type you use, they need to be changed or cleaned to be effective. As you change the filter, take the time to clean the vents as well.
Cabinets
It's easy to see when a closet needs to be cleaned. Clothes are stacked, shelves are stacked, and things fall on you when you open the door. But when was the last time you cleaned the actual closet, including the floor? Closet floors, especially carpeted floors, can get dirty. Carpet can become a breeding ground for mold and fungi and insects like carpet beetles that later devour your favorite clothes.
At least seasonally, Get everything out of the cabinets and give the space a thorough cleaning. It is also the perfect time to remove and donate all those things you don't really need and store the rest properly.
Vacuum cleaners and tools
If all of your cleaning tools are dirty, each time you use them you may be spreading the dirt. When was the last time you took a good look at your vacuum, mop, or sweeping brushes?
Of course, empty the waste cup or throw the disposable bag in your vacuum. But the mug should be washed and cleaned thoroughly every month or so. Most can be washed in hot soapy water and allowed to air dry. There are probably filters that also need to be washed or changed. Check the spinning bars and brushes and remove tangled strings or hair. You will get better cleaning results and less dust.
All mop heads, sponges, and scrub brushes should be cleaned with hot water and a disinfectant cleaner after each use. Kitchen sponges can harbor and spread dangerous bacteria if not handled properly.
Inside plants
Whether your indoor plants are real or silk, they can collect an incredible amount of dust. Most live plants will benefit from a quick trip under the shower head. If they're too big to move, use a microfiber cloth or disposable duster to clean each sheet.
Silk plants can also be 'dusted' with a cloth or taken outside and using a hair dryer cold to remove dust. To brighten up individual stems of silk greenery or flowers, place them in a paper bag with plenty of table salt or baking soda. Shake the bag well and much of the soil will remain in the salt or baking soda. Finish by dusting off any residue with a cool blow dryer.