As a homeowner, do you often find yourself overwhelmed by the amount of cleaning that needs to be done? Are you unsure of where to start? Look no further – this article will provide you with the top 5 areas that are frequently overlooked when completing DIY cleaning. You’ll be well-equipped to tackle even the toughest messes.
Contents
Behind and Under Furniture and Appliances
One of the most commonly missed areas when it comes to DIY house cleaning is cleaning behind and under furniture or appliances. This can be especially difficult to do if you’re moving furniture around and it’s easy to forget about this area. However, it’s important to take time to clean these areas as dust, dirt, pet hair, and other debris can quickly build up in those places.
A deep clean of your house includes more than just basic vacuum and surface wipedowns. When cleaning behind and under furniture or appliances, use a broom with an extendable handle that can reach all sides so that you don’t have to move these items around.
Be sure to pay special attention to the edges, crevices, and tiles behind large items like refrigerators where dust tends to accumulate. You also want to make sure you are mindful of any cords in the area going into outlets as you don’t want these cords getting damaged due to being moved around too much during your deep clean.
Cleaning behind furniture or large appliances may take some time but it will help remove any built-up dirt making it look much cleaner and organized overall. This can help prevent further dust buildup in those areas since it will be easier for them routinely maintained from then on.
If you don’t have the time or resources to do this task on your own, you might consider hiring professional cleaners. They have the expertise and tools to clean these areas effectively and efficiently, saving you time and effort. Moreover, they can help ensure that your home or workspace is clean and healthy, which is essential for maintaining a productive and comfortable environment.
Baseboards, Trim, and Moldings
Baseboards, trim, and moldings are easily forgotten when it comes to deep-cleaning a home. While they may not be the most glamorous areas in the house – after all, they’re closer to the ground and hidden from view – these can quickly become grimy and attract dust, dirt, and other allergens. To get your home looking spic and span for spring, cleaning appears to be in order.
Start by thoroughly vacuuming the baseboards, trim, and moldings with an appropriately sized attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Next, take a slightly damp cloth and wipe away any remaining dust or dirt. If desired, you can use a low-suds type of liquid dish soap along with the cloth to help remove stubborn marks or buildup on these surfaces.
It is also important to check for chipped paint during this time. Since contamination is more difficult to clean in crevices like these than on larger surfaces like walls or windowsills, it’s important that chipped paint is removed for proper sanitization of trim against bacteria formation caused by moisture buildup if paints aren’t sealed correctly due to cracks or chips in them.
Air Vents and Ducts
Air vents and ducts can be some of the most overlooked home areas during do-it-yourself cleaning. Despite their small size, air vents should definitely not be neglected when it comes to routine home maintenance. Cleaning air vents can make a big difference in dust and air quality when done regularly.
Regular vent cleaning helps prevent dust from accumulating, eliminating the need for deeper cleanings and reducing visible dirt that might get blown into the room. Every two weeks or so, use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to suck away dust particles from vent blades and grates. In addition, depending on the type of filter used by your air conditioning unit, you may need to conduct more thorough cleanings every few months.
Don’t forget to clean outside your vents as well! Wipe off any dirt on walls or ceilings around the vent with a soft cloth and cleaning solution (outdoor vents tend to require more frequent attention). Finally, check in crevices between walls and counters where dirt may have collected – simple vacuuming will get rid of this debris quite easily.
Window Sills, Tracks, and Blinds
Windows are a major source of dust and debris in the home. As time passes, dust, dirt, and pollen particles build up in the sills, tracks, and blinds. Cleaning regularly is important to reduce allergens and dirt from re-circulating through the air. Unfortunately, some people tend to miss these important areas in their DIY cleaning routine.
Window sills are a prime source for dirt build-up and require regular detaching as part of your weekly cleaning routine. Start by wiping with a damp cloth to remove any debris from the surface of the sill. To clean further down into cracks and crevices, use an old toothbrush to scrub off grime more effectively. Be sure to vacuum or sweep loose particles before wiping them down with your cloth again.
Window tracks provide a great hiding spot for stubborn bugs, dust mites, cobwebs, pet hair, and more. If you often open or close your windows frequently; even more, dirt can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas over time!
To clean tracks thoroughly start by vacuuming or sweeping away as much loose debris as possible; then take mild liquid cleaning solution or dish soap diluted with warm water on a dry cloth or sponge to wipe down remaining residue on track surface areas; and then use an old toothbrush to scrape away remaining spots from tight corners of the window track before blotting dry with another soft cloth if needed – this should help reduce any mold growth later on.
Lastly, dirt buildup on Venetian blinds is almost inevitable due to air exposure when these materials move back and forth – Dirt can easily accumulate between slats preventing air flow and filtering for sunlight needed during days when closed shutters are necessary.
Remove blinds from slats (if not permanently installed) otherwise begin at the top dowel rod moving blinds side-to-side simultaneously while lifting up slightly from the base edge towards the slat using careful hands – this allows vacuum cleaner attachment if available (use low suction strength & glide slowly over surface areas).
Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets, Drawers, and Shelves
Kitchen and bathroom cabinets, drawers, and shelves are often overlooked when it comes to deep cleaning. Food particles, dust, and grime can easily accumulate in the small spaces of your kitchen or bathroom cabinets drawing dirt and bacteria onto the surface of the cabinet. Cleaning inside cupboards or drawers is important not only to make them look good but also to remove dust that can cause allergies.
For cabinetry, tear off any contact paper or old shelf lines if you are planning on replacing them so they can be cleaned easier then spray a grease-cutting cleaner over all surfaces inside the actual cabinet, shelving, and countertops. You will then need to use a scrubber with a detergent solution or just a damp cloth to wipe down all surfaces within the area.
Drawers should be emptied so you can access all areas of the drawer for cleaning. A vacuum cleaner may come in handy for the efficient removal of debris from corners that cannot be reached with a rag alone. Move around items in your shelf cavities and use cloths moistened with an ammonia-based cleaner or an all-purpose household cleaner while removing built-up debris from corners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top 5 most commonly missed areas during DIY cleaning?
The top 5 most commonly missed areas during DIY cleaning are baseboards, door frames, light switches, air vents, and ceiling fans.
How often should I clean these areas?
It is recommended to clean these areas at least once a month. However, depending on the level of traffic and dust in your home, you may need to clean them more often.
What tools do I need to clean these areas?
You will need a vacuum cleaner, dusting cloths, and a cleaning solution specific to the surface you are cleaning.
Conclusion
DIY cleaning can often have mixed results, with some areas being missed or overlooked in the process. Being aware of the most commonly missed areas is key to ensuring your home is in top shape and free from dirt, dust, and clutter. From the garage to tight spaces like drains, corners, and behind appliances, keeping these five areas in mind can help ensure a thorough cleaning every time.
By dedicating time specifically to cleaning these sometimes forgotten places, you can save time on doing general clean-up and achieve a deep-clean result. This makes it easier to maintain your home on a day-to-day basis without having to invest too much effort or scrubbing power each time. Remember that while DIY cleaning may miss spots here or there, adding these five hard-to-reach places into your regular rotation can make quite a difference in the overall look and tidiness of your home.