Is it possible that the key to a clean and organized home is hiding in plain sight? You might be surprised at the things you’re missing from your house cleaning routine! Keeping your place spotless isn’t always easy, but don’t despair – with a few simple tips and tricks, you can have a home that looks and feels like new. Read on to uncover the secret weapons in your house cleaning arsenal!
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Light fixtures and lamp shades
When it comes to house cleaning, nobody likes dusting light fixtures and lamp shades, but this chore is an integral part of regularly maintaining your home. Surveys show that many people do not properly clean these items as often as they should, which can lead to a build-up of dust and other particles. It’s important to clean your light fixtures and lamp shades on a regular basis in order to make sure that they last a long time without losing their luster or becoming discolored.
Light fixtures should be dusted with a dry cloth every few weeks depending on the amount of dust collected in the room. This will help keep them looking their best and increase their lifespan. Lampshades should also be dusted at least once every few weeks, using either a dry cloth or an electromagnet cleaner designed especially for this task. If you have hard-to-reach areas like high ceilings or tall lamps, consider hiring a cleaning service provider who can help with this task.
You should also give careful attention to your bulbs when you are cleaning light fixtures; replace any burned-out bulbs as soon as possible for safety reasons, and clean off any dirt or grime from them with a slightly dampened cloth before replacing them so they don’t become tarnished over time. Finally, if you have chandeliers or other intricate pieces that are made up of several parts, it may be worth hiring professional cleaners who have the tools necessary to do the job safely and effectively.
Ceiling fan blades
Ceiling fan blades are often overlooked during house cleaning. Although it’s easy to concentrate on ground-level cleaning or the messy areas, getting your ceiling fan blades clean is important for maintaining a dust-free environment.
If you haven’t cleaned your fan blades in a while, start by turning the power off (either from the switch or from the breaker). Additionally, if you don’t want to get dust on everything, it is a good idea to place a drop cloth on the furniture and floors below. After that, use a damp cloth and some detergent to remove as much dust as possible. Then, use an old toothbrush to remove any debris in hard-to-reach places — like in between the blades!
Once complete, dry with another cloth or use compressed air (an air compressor works great). Vacuuming them is another option since most vacuums have attachments designed specifically for higher-up dusting tasks like this one. When using a vacuum attachment be sure not to use too much suction (which can damage the blades), and make sure you empty out all of the particles inside the vacuum afterward!
Lastly, if you want an eco-friendly alternative or if your walls or ceiling are painted, mix half of cup of white vinegar with two cups of warm water for an all natural solution that won’t damage any surfaces! Regularly cleaning fan blades helps avoid build-up of dust and also adds efficiency which has many advantages for both your budget and health.
Under furniture and rugs
Cleaning under furniture and rugs is an often overlooked task, especially when it’s not something that you can see. But even if you don’t visually inspect these areas as part of your regular house cleaning routine, proper attention to floorboards, fabric, and other surfaces beneath the furniture can still increase the life of your furnishings—and keep the air in your living spaces safer.
When cleaning under furniture and rugs, it’s important to remember that these potentially hidden areas should be dirt vacuumed before anything else. If a regular vacuum attachment won’t fit in tight spots, consider picking up a crevice tool or dust buster that will help get dirt, crumbs, and pet hair out from underpinnings. Once you’re done with vacuuming, then you can use additional cleaning tools such as long-handled brushes or damp cloth wipes to buff away the dust that may have settled in more inaccessible places.
Fabrics like upholstery require special handling when performing an in-depth cleanse—in general you should avoid detachable cushions since most have spot cleaner instructions listed on their tag (unless it specifies otherwise). Disassemble any cushions before attempting a clean. Rugs might take slightly longer depending on how much-embedded grime there is in the pile or fringe;use rug shampooers or cleaners at least once a year for those really embedded sections. Finally, steel wool and paste wax are effective DIY tools for tough stuck-on messes (like crayons) but can get quite tedious if used over large surfaces.
Overall remember that thorough cleaning beneath furniture and rugs isn’t necessarily done on schedule—but needs attention when necessary to serious dirt buildup or pet accidents that need deep cleansing to prevent discoloration or damage of fabric and flooring elements underneath furniture items. This “preventive maintenance” type of cleaning will give your fabrics extra life between deeper cleanings.
Behind and under the toilet
Don’t forget the hidden areas when performing a deep cleaning in your home. Don’t ignore corners, behind and under the toilet, and flooring that is typically hard to reach.
Toilets are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, with both liquid and solid waste build-up as well as dirt that easily accumulate in tricky creases. Every few months, you should move your toilet out of position to check for loose tile grout or any cracks that may be present beneath it. Once done, disinfect the area with a cleaner like bleach or white vinegar mixed with water. You will also want to make sure you vacuum or sweep up anything hiding under the edges of your toilet before returning it in its place.
You’ll also want to clean behind the toilet bowl itself. Start by removing any object on shelves or decor, then use an old rag to sweep away any built-up dust and cobwebs (if you have them). If there’s any dirt build-up around where your toilet tank sits on the bowl itself, spray a cleaning solution directly onto it and use a small brush or toothbrush to scrub away at it until there’s no residue left behind. Again, don’t forget to clean off the outside portion of these bathroom fixtures too — around their edges and on top — before wiping everything down one final time!
Doorknobs and handles
Household chores may often be overlooked, however, doorknobs and handles should always be included in your regular cleaning schedule. Over time, these items become colonized by dirt, dust, grime and debris – not to mention various bacteria and viruses – all of which can create a serious health hazard if not properly cleaned. The good news is that with a few simple techniques, you can quickly restore the doorknobs and handles in your home to their original shine.
The most essential tool for cleaning doorknobs and handles is a microfiber cloth. This material is great for removing dirt without leaving streaks or lint behind. To create an effective cleaning solution with your microfiber cloth, you will need an all-purpose cleaner; as well as some warm water and a few drops of liquid castile soap. Once this mixture is ready to go, simply saturated the cloth, wring it out until it’s damp and begin wiping away the grime from the surface of the door handle or knob. Repeat this process about once per week for best results.
If you have stubborn stains that won’t come off with traditional cleaning methods there are additional materials you can use depending on what type of knobs or handles in your home:
- For chrome finishes soft toothbrush
- A soft brass brush or baking soda/vinegar combo for brass finishes
- Old cloth rags soaked in rubbing alcohol to remove germs
With just a little bit of elbow grease and some basic materials, you can restore your door hardware back to its former glory! Cleaning doorknobs and handles may seem like an unnecessary step when it comes to routine household chores but don’t forget how quickly these areas accumulate dirt and debris over time – so be sure to make them part of your normal housekeeping regimen!
Top of door frames and moldings
Door frames and moldings are often overlooked when it comes to house cleaning. While most of us make sure to dust shelves, furniture, and window sills, door frames and moldings often get forgotten. This hidden area can collect a lot of dust over time and should be checked regularly as part of a thorough house cleaning regimen.
To properly clean the top of door frames and moldings, start by using a feather duster or vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. If there is stubborn dirt or dust, you can use a damp cloth or microfiber cloth for better results. Pay particular attention to the crevices between the wall and door frame where dust can accumulate. This area is generally easier to get into with an upright vacuum but you can also use the cloth method if needed.
If you are dealing with pet hair or other debris that won’t come off with normal cleaning methods, it might be time to use an all-purpose cleaner on your doors frames and moldings as well. Spread it on evenly while avoiding getting cleaner on any painted surfaces as it might cause discoloration or faded marks over time. Make sure to rinse your surface with clean water when you are done in order to remove any residue from the cleaner you used.
It might not seem like much at first but keeping your door frames and moldings free from dirt will help keep your home looking neat and tidy in no time!
Washing windows and mirrors
One of the most neglected tasks in house cleaning is washing windows and mirrors. Not only do these areas require regular cleaning – dirt, dust and debris can accumulate on surfaces and make them difficult to see clearly – but window cleaning is also important for keeping glass surfaces free from harmful bacteria, mold, and other allergens that can make you sick.
When it comes to window washing, the most important rule is to make sure that you start with clean tools. This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t bother to clean their sponges or rags before getting started – making the task much more difficult and time-consuming than necessary.
Once your equipment is ready, begin by vacuuming away as much dirt as possible. If there are any cobwebs or particularly stubborn areas of buildup which won’t come away with a vacuum cleaner then use a damp cloth to spot-clean them first – this will help reduce smearing when using your squeegee or feather duster later on. Read the instructions on any chemical cleaner carefully before applying it.
When it comes to washing windows and mirrors, breaking the task down into manageable steps helps keep it from becoming too overwhelming. Try tackling one window at a time – this will ensure that each part of the process remains fresh in your mind so that nothing will get skipped over or done incorrectly.
Be careful not to scrub too hard when wiping as this can scratch off any protective coating from windows made from materials such as aluminum or vinyl – doing so will just create extra work for yourself in the future! Finally, rinse off any remaining chemical cleaner with plenty of plain water before giving them a good buffing with a dry cloth for an immaculate finish!
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to make sure that when cleaning a home, all areas are properly addressed and taken care of. It’s easy to overlook some parts of our homes when cleaning, but making an extra effort to ensure that all parts are clean will result in a much neater and healthier living space.
Some areas people may forget or take for granted include carpets, hard surfaces, blinds and window frames, fans and air vents, door frames, appliances and electronics. All these areas need special attention as they require more manual labor. Vacuuming carpets frequently can also help keep allergens away from the home. Keeping up with these steps will guarantee a spotless home for you to enjoy for many years!