If you’re like most people, you spend a little time each week tidying up your house. You clean the floors and counters, but probably not much more than that. At least once or twice a year, though, it’s a good idea to do a deep cleaning. And since this is National Cleaning Week, it’s the perfect time! For a true deep cleaning, do these nine things.
1. Wipe Down Ceiling Fan Blades
Chances are your ceiling fans don’t get much attention. Look up and take a good look at them. Pretty yucky? Use a pillow case around each blade to completely contain the dust and wipe them down. Then, toss the pillow case in the wash.
2. Cabinets and Drawers
When was the last time you emptied out your kitchen cabinets and drawers to clean inside them? If it wasn’t with in the last few months, it’s time. Food and other particles accumulate inside and on the surfaces of cabinets and drawers.
3. Clean Your Faucets
Lime scale and other water debris builds up on faucet heads and aerators in the kitchen and bathroom. You can easily clean them by using equal parts white vinegar and water in a plastic bag. Attach the bag around the faucet and leave it overnight. In the morning, everything is nice and clean!
4. Fridge and Freezer
Cleaning the fridge and freezer is no body’s favorite task, but it will last longer and you house will smell better if you do it at least twice a year. Unplug and defrost the unit. Throw away spoiled food. Anything that looks like it’s become a science project doesn’t have a place in there anymore. Also use the time to vacuum the condenser coils, bottom grille, and kick plate.
5. Garbage Cans
As nasty as this sounds, it’s actually pretty easy. Put a squirt or two of kitchen soap and/or bleach in them and bring them outside. Then hit them with hose. It’s like a mini-power wash and will quickly remove all the built-up dirt and grime.
6. Electronics
Germs love to live in the spaces between keys on a keyboard and on the screen of electronic devices. Use canned air, Q-Tips and disinfectant to sanitize them and keep the flu and other illnesses at bay.
7. Don’t Forget the Dishwasher
I know this sounds a little crazy, but you do have to clean your dishwasher. It’s easy, though! Instead of your usual detergent, run it empty with a cup of vinegar and ½ cup of baking soda. Doing this at least once a year will keep your dishwasher working longer and give your dishes the best clean possible.
Or this option using Tang Orange Drink Mix.
8. Grout
Clean grout can brighten up a whole bathroom. It’s also healthier. Use a small scrub brush and cleanser to scour the grout in your bathroom at least twice a year. If your bathroom has a fan, running that during your shower will cut down on how often the grout needs to be cleaned.
9. Scrub the Stovetop
You probably wipe this down every time you cook, but how often do you do more than that? Remove the pot grates, knobs, and any slide-out trays. Wash them all in soapy water and wipe down the area around them before replacing. Don’t forget about the hood and filter, too!
Any other tricks and tips you have? Let us know.
