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Spring DEEP Cleaning: 6 Overlooked Areas In Your Home

Posted in: I'm Moving, Seasonal & Holidays

Now that it’s April, so many people have Spring Cleaning on the mind. Sure, it’s great to purge your closet, freshen up your linens, and clean those dirty windows… but let’s really dive into this and do a nice DEEP CLEANING of your home.

SpringCleaning

Here are some home areas that are often neglected during routine cleaning.  So whether you’re doing an annual spring clean…or you’re moving into a new home, and you question the cleanliness of the previous homeowners…you may want to add these spots to your cleaning to-do list!

1. Washing Machine

For the longest time, I didn’t understand why you had to clean something when its sole purpose was for cleaning. The washing machine cleans clothes, so why doesn’t it clean itself? But apparently washers need washing too! I’m happy I am now enlightened.  I recommend giving your washing machine a good clean a couple times a year, because if your appliance is dirty how can you expect it to keep your clothes clean?

How to Clean:

Fill the machine with hot water and add a small amount of vinegar. Then, run a full wash cycle on the hottest setting.  If the machine is still smelling funky, you may have mildew going on. Now’s the time to put on some fashionable rubber gloves and scrub down the inside of the tub with vinegar. After you scrub-a-dub-dub, run another cycle of pure hot water. Don’t forget about the outside of your machine. Give that a nice scrub down too.

2. Home Air Filter

Your home’s air filter protects the heating and cooling unit. Even though it has an important job, it often gets neglected by homeowners. Keep your unit working efficiently with a clean, dust-free air filter!

Air-Vent

How to Clean:

Some air filters are made to be cleaned while others are disposable. So first you need to figure out what kind of air filter is in your home. If you have a reusable air filter, then you’ll need to remove it, vacuum up any debris, and wash it with water. Make sure you allow it to dry completely before putting it back into your unit. If your home uses disposable filters, then you’ll need to remove the old one and pop a new one into place. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the filter every 30-90 days, depending on the amount of dust in your home.

*Rookie Tip*

You may be like me and have no idea how to locate your home’s air filter. No worries! Your home’s air filter will usually be found behind a vent. Some are found in the ceiling, while others are near the floor and baseboard. You’ll probably need a screwdriver to open the vent. Also, some homes may have more than one air filter unit, so be sure to clean them all!

Dirty-Dishwasher

3. Dishwasher

Just like the washing machine, I didn’t always know the importance of cleaning your cleaning appliances. If your dishes are looking dingy, or you just need a nice thorough cleaning of your dishwasher, then don’t worry…it’s pretty darn easy.

Baking-Soda-Vinegar

How to Clean:

Place a bowl of vinegar on the top rack of the dishwasher and sprinkle some baking soda into the bottom. Put the washer on the hottest/sanitary setting, and go through an entire wash cycle. Once that is done, do a good wipe down of the inside with a clean towel, making sure to get any gunk out of the nooks and crannies.

4. Baseboards & Doors

Most people wash their floors on a regular basis, but baseboards are another story. However, they still accumulate plenty of dust and dirt. Shining them up can instantly brighten up a room and make your painted walls and trim look fresh again. Doors are often overlooked as well, but they too accumulate dirt, germs, and fingerprints. This cleaning task may take some time, but I promise it will be well worth it to have your home looking (& smelling) shiny and new again!

How to Clean:

First, you may want to use a vacuum to suck up any loose debris on your baseboard or trim. Then I suggest filling a bucket with warm water and a squirt of dish soap. Use a clean microfiber rag and dampen it. Then just go around the edges of the room wiping down the ledges as you go. Do the same for the doors. For heavy duty scuffs and marks, you may need to use a magic eraser.

5. Ceiling Blade Flans

It’s easy to forget to clean ceiling fans, especially when they’re way high up. But, these bad boys can accumulate a large amount of dust, dirt, and overall gross stuff. In fact, if your ceiling fan starts to wobble, it may mean that it is off balance because of dirt. #gross

How to Clean:

First of all, be safe when you’re cleaning the fan. Get an appropriate sized ladder and for goodness sake….turn off the fan when you’re doing this (duh!). Then take a moist rag and wipe down each of the blades. I’ve also heard to use a pillowcase so you can trap all of the gunk inside, without it falling to the floor all over your room. That could work too. Either way, be sure to wipe it down nice and good to get rid of any dust and debris.

6. Shower Curtain and Liner

Showers are damp and warm, which means it is the perfect playground for mildew and bacteria! If you haven’t washed your shower curtain or shower curtain liner in a long time (or ever!) then now is the time to take action.

How to Clean:

Remove the curtain liner from the hooks and throw it into your washing machine along with a couple towels. Add detergent and a bit of baking soda.  The towels and baking soda will work together to scrub the mildew and hard water off of the curtain liner. Wash it on a gentle cycle and then hang back up in the shower to dry. Do not put it in your dryer! Do the same with the actual curtain (unless it has a dry clean only tag).

Now it’s your turn to tell us…did we miss any other overlooked areas? What areas do you neglect to clean in your home?

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