This post is all about the surprising things you forget to clean. And I am totally speaking from experience here. As in… I forgot pretty much all of them. It actually took me longer to write this post, because I was stopping at every point to go clean what I was researching and writing about.
The list is endless when it comes to keeping a clean home. Seriously has anyone ever seen the end of that list? Not me.
Managing to keep up with the regular routine of laundry, dishes, floors, and dusting is a BIG accomplishment in itself. So if you haven’t heard it lately, I want to tell you- girl, YOU ARE DOING A GOOD JOB!
So who has time to think about those less frequent, but also important, cleaning demands? I’m here to help! This post is your complied list of some surprising things you may be forgetting to clean.
Things You Forget to Clean
1. Water filters
Okay, I will be the first to admit that I am guilty of this one, but just because your water at home tastes fine, doesn’t mean it is actually the safest to drink.
Water filters remove contaminants and metals (which are often tasteless) from our water and should be replaced more frequently than you’d think.
Refrigerator filters should be replaced twice a year! And bottle/pitcher systems are supposed to get a new filter every 60 days.
2. Dishwasher filter
Manually clean out your dishwasher filter at least every 3 months. Maybe sooner if you frequently use your dishwasher.
Just look up an online tutorial for your dishwasher brand to make the process as simple as possible!
3. Window tracks
Be honest, when is the last time you took a good look at this area? It needs a deep cleaning once a year minimum, so try working this into your spring cleaning schedule.
4. Bathroom walls
Gently use a Magic Eraser or warm washcloth to get all that flying hair product off the walls, ladies you know it’s there.
Always check to see if this needs to be repeated whenever you are cleaning the bathroom mirrors.
5. Wash bath mats
If the bathroom gets used by more than one person, bath mats are supposed to be washed weekly (padded bath mats can go longer so they don’t wear down too quickly). Just grab them up for their own laundry load whenever you go to wash your sheets weekly.
6. Cleaning supplies
Don’t forget to regularly wipe down and clean out your vacuum filter, wash your mop head, and rinse your broom with soapy water.
7. Coffee pot
I’ve read studies showing that under-cleaned coffee pots can be dirtier than many places in your bathroom. Okay. Ewww!
If you’re a daily coffee drinker, you should run a vinegar cycle once a month and clean detachable parts daily. This prevents yeast and mold build-up. Another tip is to leave the latch open when you’re done so the inside can air-dry.
Oh BTW, most coffee pots have a water filter too! And you guessed it, that needs to be replaced every two months.
I can promise that your coffee will taste so. much. better. after doing these things.
8. Air filter
You may be good about remembering to change your main air filters every 3 months, but don’t forget to dust your vent covers as well!
9. Washing machine
I actually thought I was doing pretty good on this one because I have cleaned my washer before. It actually needs to be don’t MONTHLY… oops!
Not only is this good for the lifespan of your washing machine, but your clothes are sure to get cleaner when you wash away the residue that builds up from dirt and detergent over time.
Similar to your coffee pot, you can naturally clean your washing machine by running a warm white vinegar cycle. Read more about that /here/. You can also use Affresh pods and run an empty cleaning cycle.
Follow that by spraying and wiping down the basin, gasket, and any detachable parts to clear out nasty residue and potential mold. Don’t forget about the filter and agitator!
You can look up your specific washing machine online to see how it’s done.
10. Refrigerator coils
Clean out and wipe down the shelves monthly, but don’t forget about the coils!
Your refrigerator is going to run more efficiently if you make a point to do this at least once a year. It’s especially smart to do it for summertime since that’s when your fridge is working the hardest.
You can find so many demos on YouTube, but here’s the gist. Locate the coils either on the back or bottom (remove kick plate). Unplug, run an initial vacuum, dust with long bristle brush, vacuum again. Repeat as many times as needed until dust free.
11. Pet food bowls
…and the floor and wall around it. Check to see if your pet bowls are dishwasher safe and throw them in once every few cycles. Easy!
12. Loofah
Shower loofahs are great for exfoliating, but should actually only be used twice a week. Even still, it should be replaced every 3-4 weeks.
I was so disgusted to learn the reasons why…
Loofahs trap dead skin and, because it lives in a wet environment, it’s a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
Obviously, that makes perfect sense, but OMG eww! Turns out that washcloths are a much healthier option than loofahs.
13. Faux plants
You can purchase some very beautiful, life-like plants for your home. They usually come at a price, but hey, you can’t kill them so that’s money well spent! That doesn’t mean you can forget about them though…
One of the biggest giveaways of fake plants is the thick layer of dust that quickly builds up on the leaves. So, make it a part of your dusting routine to wipe all over you artificial plants as well.
If you hate dusting (like me) you can easily run most artificial plants under water to bring them back to “life” 😉 Stick them under your shower head or sink depending on the size of the plant.
14. Cabinet toe kicks
Classic ‘out of sight, out of mind’ situation. Next time you clean your cabinet doors, run a magic eraser or washcloth over this area below also.
Take a peek at your chair legs and table base while you are down there.
15. Shower liner
Throw it in the wash monthly and check to see if it needs to be replaced every 6 months.
Annual Cleaning Checklist
Here is a cleaning checklist to help you stay on top of those commonly forgotten cleaning tasks (plus a few extras not mentioned above). Save it to your camera roll, Pinterest board, or print it if you would like to refer back to it later 🙂
Download freebie >> Cleaning Checklist
Love,
Tori
Keep reading >>The Easiest Way to Clean Burnt Pans (+ a bonus trick)
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