When winter comes to an end and the weather starts warming up, homeowners put away their cold-weather gear and clean the house. Give your home a deep cleaning by including areas that don’t normally get attention. Here are a few of the most commonly missed spots when spring cleaning.
Wipe Down Doorknobs
Doorknobs are touched by everyone in the home, but most people don’t think about all the germs on them. Wipe them down with a disinfecting cleaning solution to keep germs from spreading.
Clean Out Garbage Cans
Garbage cans are easy to miss during spring cleaning because many people think liners protect the can. Trash often overflows and leaks into the can. Take your garbage cans outside and spray them down with soap and water. Let them dry thoroughly before bringing them back inside.
Air Vents
Dirty air vents can worsen allergies. It’s important to replace your air filters and clean the vents thoroughly. Vents often harbor dust and lint. You can easily unscrew the vents and vacuum them, but it’s best to hire a professional to clean them every 2-3 years. There are often months or years worth of dust and allergens stuck in your air vents.
Dust Blinds During Spring Cleaning
Whether you have wooden or plastic blinds, it’s important to surface clean them often. Use a duster on each side of the slats to remove dirt and debris. Be sure to dust the blinds before you clean the floors.
Spring Cleaning for the Dishwasher
Dishwashers clean your dishes, but these appliances also need to be cleaned. Mildew, food particles, and residue can build up over time. Pull out the dishwasher filter and clean it with dish detergent or bleach. Check the spray arms for blockages. Run a long cycle with vinegar to clean the dishwasher. Then, sprinkle baking soda in the bottom and run a short cycle on the hottest setting to help remove the residue.
Oven Cleaning
The oven is one of the most overlooked places to clean. You may have years of residue in your oven caused by fumes and drippings from cooking. If you have a self-cleaning oven, use that feature. If you don’t, coat the inside of the oven with a cleaning solution, let it soak, and then wipe it down.
Spring Cleaning for the Mattress
You sleep on your mattress every night, so It needs to be cleaned regularly. Spread baking soda over the mattress and let it sit for an hour before vacuuming it up. This is an effective way to clean your mattress without using harsh chemicals.
Medicine Cabinets
Medicine cabinets often get cluttered with old medications and unused toiletries. People don’t think to throw out old sunscreen and medications that have been sitting in there for years. Check expiration dates. Dispose of old medications properly. Some pharmacies have medication drop-offs. Never throw away or flush old prescription medicines.
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