It doesn’t matter how much you try to keep a clean home, you’re always going to have to take some extra steps to keep it as clean as possible. This especially applies to those families who have kids anywhere between the approximate ages of “newborn” to “teenager about to leave for college.” This article from BrightNest points out nine things around your home that could probably use a more frequent cleaning than you might have thought.
When it comes to cleaning, your kitchen counters and bathroom sink get a lot of love. But what about the rest of your home? If you have a weekly “cleaning routine” that generally never changes, you’re probably skipping over some under-the-radar areas.
How often do you look up? If it’s been awhile, take a gander at your ceiling. If you just see a few cobwebs, you’ll be okay wiping the ceiling down with a broom covered in an old t-shirt. Little more going on up there? You’ll need a ladder, sponge and an all-purpose cleaner.
Then there’s your refrigerator. First, toss everything that’s past its prime or questionable. Read labels! Everything else, place in a cooler so it stays fresh. Remove your shelves, and place them in the sink to cool. (Washing them with hot water when they’re cold could crack them.) While they’re cooling, scrub down the sides of the fridge with an all-purpose cleaning or a homemade mixture of equal parts baking soda and water. Scrub any tough spots with a sponge and rinse away the cleaner with warm water. Then, scrub down your shelves in the sink with the same cleaner. Dry the shelves thoroughly, replace them and restock and organize your food.
Every few months, remove all of the items from your cabinets including any liners. If there are crumbs, vacuum them away first. Then wipe down the inside of the empty cabinet with dish soap and water. Let the cabinets dry completely, and then organize your items back on the shelves. Note: If you’re cleaning pantry cabinets, now is a good time to check out expiration dates.
While you’re showering regularly, your shower curtain is acquiring a nice layer of soap scum. If you have a cloth curtain, it can be washed as part of your regular cycle. Toss it in the washing machine and add some detergent. Dry it completely, and then hang it back up. If your curtain is vinyl, you can still use your washing machine – it just needs its own load.
Doorknobs are one of the nastiest places in your home due to the number of bacteria-covered hands that touch them daily. Grab an all-purpose disinfectant spray and a dry cloth, and spray the entire doorknob. Wipe the spray away with your cloth. Focus on the doors that see the most action in your home like the kitchen, bathroom and front door.
