Even if you clean your house every day, it’s often impossible to tackle each nook and cranny. When was the last time you disinfected your dishwasher? Exactly! We’ve all missed a few spots here and there. If you want to prevent mold, dirt, and grime, it’s essential to grab your gloves so that you can dig into these overlooked spaces.
Here are a few neglected areas that need a little love.
TVs and Remote Controls
When you think about high traffic areas around your home, what do you picture? While door handles and light switches are often incredibly germy, it’s remote controls that we need to clean more often. In hotels, they’re the second most bacteria-laden item behind bathroom counters. If you use your TV’s buttons to control the volume or change the channel, it’s time to clean those as well.
You’ll need cotton pads and swabs, plus rubbing alcohol. Then follow the steps below:
- Remove your device’s batteries.
- Douse a cotton pad with rubbing alcohol.
- Swipe the cotton pad across the surface.
- Use a cotton swab to clean around the buttons.
Repeat this process for your TV’s buttons. If you need to wipe down your TV screen, try a dry microfiber cloth.
Carpets and Rugs
Most carpets and rugs become a little gross over time. You may think you need to rent a steam cleaner to pick up the dirt, but you can use a more straightforward method instead. It’s necessary to choose natural products, as traditional carpet cleaners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause health hazards. It’s also super easy to eliminate stains with household items.
You’ll need baking soda, plus a vacuum, toothbrush, rag, and bucket. Then, you should:
- Vacuum the area to lift any dirt.
- Cover any stains with a layer of baking soda.
- Use the toothbrush to scrub stains with warm water.
- Open a window to let the surface dry.
- Vacuum the area.
You can also scrub the entire carpet with warm water and dish soap. Be sure to soak up the mixture with several towels before you vacuum. Either way, you’ll achieve a freshly cleaned area.
Washing Machines
Does your washing machine smell a little funky? It seems a bit counterintuitive, but washing machines become dirty, too. Elements like laundry soil and hard-water minerals can build up over time – and there’s likely some mildew present that you can’t see. Because washing machines contribute to water and energy waste, it’s essential to make sure that yours works at its best.
You’ll need a bottle of bleach, as well as a microfiber cloth. Once you collect the necessary items, follow these steps:
- Check the rubber gasket to remove any debris.
- Add a half-cup of bleach to the detergent dispenser.
- Run a cycle at the highest temperature setting.
- Wipe down the drum with a damp microfiber cloth.
You can also opt for a specific washing machine cleaner instead. Either way, it’s essential to clean your washing machine once a month. Once finished, make sure to leave the lid open so that it can air out between loads.
Garbage Disposals
Our garbage disposals see tons of junk pass through them, so it’s smart to clean them about every week. Otherwise, they can grow mold and become clogged. They can also emit odors – and no one wants to smell that when they wash their hands. Plus, it only takes a few minutes to conquer this task.
You’ll need baking soda and white vinegar. This technique works perfectly with the following steps:
- Turn on hot water.
- Pour equal parts baking soda and white vinegar down the drain.
- Run the garbage disposal for one minute.
Simple, right? You can also put some citrus peels into the disposal for a better scent.
Don’t Forget to Tackle These Missed Spots
It’s time to incorporate these tasks into your cleaning schedule. This way, you can enjoy a cleaner home.
