20 Things You Might Be Forgetting to Clean
Clean these often-neglected areas and your house will look and feel better
Freshening up your house with a deep clean can feel really good. If you’re ready to go beyond the basic weekly vacuum and mop, pick and choose from these 20 deep-cleaning tasks – and get ready to enjoy your sparkling house.
4. Tops of window frames
The skirting boards are more likely to get cleaned during a cleaning spree, but what about the higher spots? Get out the stepladder and (carefully) get to work wiping away built-up dust and grime from the tops of window frames and upper mouldings.
5. Bookshelves
Shelves full of books and decorative objects can become quite dusty. Working shelf by shelf, remove the objects from one section, dust and return them. For bonus points, declutter your books and ornaments as you go.
The skirting boards are more likely to get cleaned during a cleaning spree, but what about the higher spots? Get out the stepladder and (carefully) get to work wiping away built-up dust and grime from the tops of window frames and upper mouldings.
5. Bookshelves
Shelves full of books and decorative objects can become quite dusty. Working shelf by shelf, remove the objects from one section, dust and return them. For bonus points, declutter your books and ornaments as you go.
6. Underneath rugs
Move the furniture aside, roll up the rug and rug pad, and vacuum underneath. It sounds like a lot of work, but when you see what’s under there, you might be inspired to do this more often!
7. Picture frames and mirrors
Clean the glass fronts of picture frames and mirrors, and wipe away dust from the frames. Don’t spray picture frames, since liquid can potentially get in and damage the photo or artwork; use a lightly dampened glass-cleaning cloth instead.
8. Upholstered furniture
Get out the vacuum attachments and vacuum upholstered furniture, including under and between cushions. Rotate sofa cushions when possible for more even wear.
Move the furniture aside, roll up the rug and rug pad, and vacuum underneath. It sounds like a lot of work, but when you see what’s under there, you might be inspired to do this more often!
7. Picture frames and mirrors
Clean the glass fronts of picture frames and mirrors, and wipe away dust from the frames. Don’t spray picture frames, since liquid can potentially get in and damage the photo or artwork; use a lightly dampened glass-cleaning cloth instead.
8. Upholstered furniture
Get out the vacuum attachments and vacuum upholstered furniture, including under and between cushions. Rotate sofa cushions when possible for more even wear.
9. Oven and cooker hood
If you want to avoid oven cleaners, a thick paste of baking soda and water applied and left on overnight can do the trick. Wipe it off with hot water the next day. Grease and dust tend to accumulate on the cooker hood. Stand on a stepladder so you can see what you’re doing, and clear away the gunk using warm, soapy water.
10. Small appliances
Smartening up your microwave, toaster, blender and mixer doesn’t take long at all, but the cumulative effect of gleaming small appliances will make your kitchen really shine.
11. Grout
Light-coloured grout looking icky? Remove discolouration and stains by scrubbing with oxygenated bleach.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
If you want to avoid oven cleaners, a thick paste of baking soda and water applied and left on overnight can do the trick. Wipe it off with hot water the next day. Grease and dust tend to accumulate on the cooker hood. Stand on a stepladder so you can see what you’re doing, and clear away the gunk using warm, soapy water.
10. Small appliances
Smartening up your microwave, toaster, blender and mixer doesn’t take long at all, but the cumulative effect of gleaming small appliances will make your kitchen really shine.
11. Grout
Light-coloured grout looking icky? Remove discolouration and stains by scrubbing with oxygenated bleach.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
12. Inside kitchen drawers
Never mind how the crumbs got in there; the important thing is to give your drawers a fresh start now. Remove everything, wipe out the whole area, and return the items.
13. Food storage jars
Storing dry goods in sealed storage containers can help them stay fresh longer, but that doesn’t mean the stuff in your jars will never go off. Inspect the contents of your canisters for freshness, check expiration dates and get rid of old or stale food. In the future, remove and set aside the last bit of food (for instance, flour) before filling the canister with fresh, then put the old bit back on top where it will get used up first.
More: How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
Never mind how the crumbs got in there; the important thing is to give your drawers a fresh start now. Remove everything, wipe out the whole area, and return the items.
13. Food storage jars
Storing dry goods in sealed storage containers can help them stay fresh longer, but that doesn’t mean the stuff in your jars will never go off. Inspect the contents of your canisters for freshness, check expiration dates and get rid of old or stale food. In the future, remove and set aside the last bit of food (for instance, flour) before filling the canister with fresh, then put the old bit back on top where it will get used up first.
More: How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
14. Underneath beds and behind furniture
Instead of sticking with the easy-to-reach spots when you vacuum this time, really get in there and tackle the hidden, tucked-away places where dust goes to hide. Any allergy sufferers in your household will be grateful for the extra effort.
Instead of sticking with the easy-to-reach spots when you vacuum this time, really get in there and tackle the hidden, tucked-away places where dust goes to hide. Any allergy sufferers in your household will be grateful for the extra effort.
15. The utility room
What is it about laundry spaces? The areas on top of and around the washing machine and dryer tend to be some of the dustiest in the house. Vacuum around the appliances and wipe down the surfaces.
16. Vents and hoses
If you have a vented tumble dryer, it’s a good idea to clean out the hose roughly every three months, as lint can build up and become a fire hazard, as well as reducing the efficiency of your machine. Don’t forget to switch off at the mains, then disconnect the hose and clean inside with a feather or other telescopic duster.
What is it about laundry spaces? The areas on top of and around the washing machine and dryer tend to be some of the dustiest in the house. Vacuum around the appliances and wipe down the surfaces.
16. Vents and hoses
If you have a vented tumble dryer, it’s a good idea to clean out the hose roughly every three months, as lint can build up and become a fire hazard, as well as reducing the efficiency of your machine. Don’t forget to switch off at the mains, then disconnect the hose and clean inside with a feather or other telescopic duster.
17. Kids’ toys
Little ones – especially toddlers, who are still exploring the world by putting things in their mouths – can benefit from the frequent cleaning of toys, particularly when colds are going around. Hard plastic toys can be dunked in warm, soapy water (children usually enjoy helping with this); most soft toys can handle a gentle wash in the machine (but be sure to check labels first). Special stuffed animals should be hand-washed and air dried, just to be on the safe side.
More: 18 Kids’ Bedrooms with Built-in Storage Cupboards
Little ones – especially toddlers, who are still exploring the world by putting things in their mouths – can benefit from the frequent cleaning of toys, particularly when colds are going around. Hard plastic toys can be dunked in warm, soapy water (children usually enjoy helping with this); most soft toys can handle a gentle wash in the machine (but be sure to check labels first). Special stuffed animals should be hand-washed and air dried, just to be on the safe side.
More: 18 Kids’ Bedrooms with Built-in Storage Cupboards
18. Bathroom walls
It’s natural to focus more on the floor when lightly cleaning the bathroom, but the walls can get just as much soap scum build-up. To maximise the cleaning power of whatever product you like to use, leave it on for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing.
19. Bathroom shelves
Shampoos, lotions and soaps can leak onto shelves, whether in a cabinet or open unit. Give your bathroom a fresh start by removing all products, wiping down the shelves and returning only the items you use.
It’s natural to focus more on the floor when lightly cleaning the bathroom, but the walls can get just as much soap scum build-up. To maximise the cleaning power of whatever product you like to use, leave it on for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing.
19. Bathroom shelves
Shampoos, lotions and soaps can leak onto shelves, whether in a cabinet or open unit. Give your bathroom a fresh start by removing all products, wiping down the shelves and returning only the items you use.
20. Tech
Computer screens and flatscreen TVs can get spotty. Pick up a cleaning spray or wipes designed specifically for monitors and give all your screens a clean. Use a can of compressed air to expel crumbs from your keyboard.
Tell us…
What’s on your deep-cleaning to-do list? Let us know in the Comments.
Computer screens and flatscreen TVs can get spotty. Pick up a cleaning spray or wipes designed specifically for monitors and give all your screens a clean. Use a can of compressed air to expel crumbs from your keyboard.
Tell us…
What’s on your deep-cleaning to-do list? Let us know in the Comments.
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Ceiling-mounted light fixtures and table lamps can accumulate an amazing amount of dust over time, which can dull the surface and block light. Get your light fixtures gleaming with a soft microfibre cloth or duster.
2. Doors, knobs and handles
It should take only a few minutes to go around the house giving knobs and handles a quick swipe with the cleaning product of your choice, but this little task can really make your space look cleaner. Give the front door some extra love by cleaning it inside and out with warm, soapy water on a well-wrung-out sponge, then dry it with a soft cloth.
3. Wall scuffs and dings
Using a soft, damp cloth and a bit of washing-up liquid, swipe off scuff marks. Fill any dings in the wall and touch up with paint.
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