Most of us have some kind of regular cleaning schedule that involves things like doing dishes, wiping counters, dusting, laundry, and vacuuming. But with our busy lives, it can be a challenge to find time to deep clean everyday items. Below is a list of the top-10 neglected items in your home that you should clean thoroughly on a regular schedule.
Remember, cleaning isn't always fun, but it does have rewards beyond ridding your home of dirt and germs. Cleaning can also help reduce stress, feelings of anxiety, and symptoms of depression. It's believed that cleaning can improve your concentration while also providing a sense of clarity and control.
RANGE HOOD FILTER
Why It Needs Cleaning
The purpose of the range hood filter is to collect grease and reduce cooking odors, smoke, and even chemicals. Over time, the filter may become clogged with grease and stop removing those unhealthy (and unpleasant) smells.
How to Clean
One way you can clean range hood filters is to put them in the dishwasher with a gentle cleaner. Or, fill your sink with hot water and soap and let the filters soak for at least 15 minutes. Add baking soda if they are extra grimy. Scrub lightly with a sponge or scrub brush and rinse with warm water. Dry completely.
How Often to Clean
Clean your range hood filter every two to three months depending on your cooking habits. If you use your stovetop regularly, fry foods, or cook with a wok, you may need to deep clean the range hood filter once a month.
TOASTER
Why It Needs Cleaning
Your toaster can collect thousands of crumbs, leading to mold and bugs. It can even be a fire hazard.
How to Clean
Make sure your toaster is unplugged before cleaning. Dump out the crumb tray (if your toaster has one), and give it a good scrub with warm water and dish soap. Next, turn the toaster over and shake out as many crumbs as you can. Use a toothbrush or small scrubber to brush away any hard-to-reach crumbs. Wipe the exterior with a damp, soapy cloth. Let your toaster's crumb tray dry completely before using.
How Often to Clean
Depending on how often you use your toaster, it may need to be cleaned once a week. Aim for at least once per month.
GARBAGE DISPOSAL
Why It Needs Cleaning
Your garbage disposal can be a hot bed for grime, mold, bacteria, and rotting food that can smell bad and attract bugs. Failure to keep your disposal clean can also lead to it not working properly.
How to Clean
Clean the rubber splash guard with an old toothbrush or scrubbing brush, paying attention to the underside. The easiest way to clean the inside of your garbage disposal is to use cleaner pods designed specifically for garbage disposals. There are several other options, such as pouring half a cup of baking soda in the disposal, waiting 30 minutes, then pouring in one cup of vinegar and rinsing with hot water. Or, pour two cups of ice down the drain, add a cup of salt, run the cold water, and turn on the disposal until all the ice has been chopped up. To eliminate odors, place a lemon peel into the disposal, run cold water, and turn on the garbage disposal.
How Often to Clean
It's recommended to clean your garbage disposal once a week, or at least once every two weeks.
SHOWER LINER
Why It Needs Cleaning
Due to its direct and routine contact with moisture, the shower liner can quickly breed mold and mildew. It can also get a buildup of hard water and soap scum.
How to Clean
While shower curtain liners are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace, they can also be cleaned. Cloth shower curtains can likely be washed in the washing machine and hung to dry. For plastic liners, spray the entire surface with a mix of one part vinegar to four parts water and then rinse with warm water. You can also use a bathroom cleaner designed for showers.
How Often to Clean
Tackle the shower curtain once a month.
PILLOWS
Why They Need Cleaning
Because we use them every night, pillows can collect a mix of dead skin, dust mites, and bugs, plus sweat, bacteria, and other allergens. This can cause skin breakouts and even allergy flare-ups.
How to Clean
Memory foam and gel pillows can’t be washed in the washing machine, but many come with machine-washable covers. They can also be spot cleaned with soap or mild detergent. Down and feather pillows can be cleaned in a washing machine with cold water on a gentle cycle. Most other pillows are made from polyester and/or other synthetic materials and can be washed in the machine and dried in the dryer. Make sure pillows are dried thoroughly before using.
How Often to Clean
Give your pillows a deep cleaning at least every six months, but preferably every three months.
DISHWASHER
Why It Needs Cleaning
Over time, grease, soap scum, food debris, and other buildup can breed bacteria and germs as well as reduce the appliance's efficiency. A dirty dishwasher can also lead to unpleasant smells or leave spots or a film on your dishes.
How to Clean
There are different parts to your dishwasher that should be cleaned, such as the inside and outside of the door, the dishwasher filter, and some of the internal parts. For details and tips, read Clean Your Dishwasher the Right Way.
How Often to Clean
Clean out food debris whenever you see it. The dishwasher filter should be cleaned weekly, and you should deep clean the internal parts of your dishwasher every month.
REFRIGERATOR
Why It Needs Cleaning
The most important reason to keep your refrigerator clean is to prevent the breeding of germs and bacteria that can grow mold or cause illnesses, like food poisoning. It’s important to deep clean the outside, inside, and underside of your fridge. You should also clean the coils, to help ensure your refrigerator is running efficiently. When the coils get clogged with dirt and dust, they can’t release heat, which makes the compressor work harder, which in turn, can shorten the life of your fridge.
How to Clean
Clean the coils with a coil cleaning brush and a vacuum. Carefully move your refrigerator away from the wall to sweep or vacuum underneath. To clean the inside of the refrigerator, remove all the food items and discard anything that has expired. As you remove items that are used frequently—like condiments and salad dressings—wipe the tops, sides, and bottoms with a warm, soapy cloth. Remove the shelves and drawers and wash in warm, soapy water. Then, spray the inside with a solution of vinegar and water.
How Often to Clean
Give your refrigerator a deep cleaning every three to four months.
BLINDS
Why They Need Cleaning
Blinds collect unsightly dust, pet hair, and other dirt, all which can be troublesome for allergy sufferers.
How to Clean
You can usually leave your blinds in place while cleaning them. Using a microfiber cloth, glove, or duster, clean from top to bottom, and use a vacuum to get any dust that falls to the floor. If your blinds are made of plastic or metal, and are heavily soiled, you can wipe down each slate with a 50/50 solution of warm water and white vinegar, with a little mild dish soap mixed in. Wipe the blinds with the solution, then wipe again with a wet sponge. Let them air dry or wipe with a dry cloth.
How Often to Clean
You should clean your blinds once a month.
CEILING FAN BLADES
Why They Need Cleaning
Like blinds, ceiling fan blades can easily collect dust, dirt, pet hair, and other allergens. Dirty fan blades don’t move air as efficiently, and they can also fling the particles around the room each time you turn it on. If you have a fan in your kitchen, it can get coated in grease and turn into a dust magnet.
How to Clean
Use a cloth or duster to remove loose dirt. Or, wrap a towel around the entire blade and squeeze while pulling it off, which cleans both sides of the blade. You can also use a damp cloth or sponge. Be sure to avoid putting too much pressure on the blade, or spraying a cleaning liquid directly on the fan's motor casing. Hand wash globe lights in the sink with warm water and soap; let them dry completely.
How Often to Clean
Clean your ceiling fan blades once every three months.
PET TOYS AND BEDDING
Why They Need Cleaning
Pet toys and bedding are a breeding ground for a variety of bacteria, germs, mold, and mildew. Cleaning them regularly can help keep both pets and people healthy. Similar to a human pillow or mattress, pet toys and bedding can also collect dust, hair, and allergens.
How to Clean
Most dog bedding can go through the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Many pet toys can be tossed in the washing machine too, but be sure to use detergents that are free of dyes and fragrances.
Check for damage—such as loose seams or raveling threads—before putting any toys in the wash. Other toys can be washed using a pet-safe, antibacterial dish soap, hot water, and a scrub brush. Or, soak them in a solution of 5% vinegar/95% warm water for at least 30 minutes and rinse clean.
How Often to Clean
Toys should be cleaned at least once every two weeks.
