by Dictionary Scoop
Our home is our refuge. It takes hard work to make it and keep it a pleasant and cozy place.
Vacuuming, mopping the floors, cleaning the bathrooms or the kitchen are probably part of your regular cleaning routine. However, there are certain places or objects that we all usually neglect and can become a source of filth and germs. We have selected 15 “corners of shame” that you are probably forgetting.
1–Baseboards
Surely, whenever you do a quick cleaning of your house, you forget about the baseboards. Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! This simple strip of wood that helps protect your walls can end up building up a lot of dust. Clean them every two or three weeks with a damp cloth to prevent allergies and respiratory problems.
2–Plants and pots
Plants, natural or artificial, especially those with large leaves, collect a lot of dirt that can harm them. You can spray your plants with water regularly and gently clean them from time to time with a cloth. For natural clay pots, wipe with a damp rag periodically, and for plastic pots, wipe with soap and water.
3–Light switches
Who even bothers to clean light switches, you ask? Well, we know it’s a chore, but you should consider starting to do it from now on. Your hands are in constant contact with all sorts of dirty objects and can harbor lots of bacteria, so when you touch the switches at home with your grimy fingers, they become a hotbed of germs.
4–Sofa crevices
Coins, crumbs, tiny toys, popcorn, animal hair, TV remotes… There is a wide variety of objects that can be found between the cracks of the sofa. It is advisable to vacuum regularly through all the nooks and crannies to prevent dirt from accumulating and sticking to the fabric, making it impossible to remove afterwards.
5–Toothbrush holder
Even if you don’t see it, after each use, small drops of water mixed with toothpaste residue end up at the bottom of your toothbrush holder, causing grime. At least once every two weeks, rinse it and put it in the dishwasher for better cleaning and disinfection. Pro tip: Be sure to store it in a place in your bathroom away from the toilet to avoid getting bacteria on it.
6–Shoe rack
Have you ever thought that every day you take your shoes in and out of the closet without paying the slightest attention, even though the soles are covered with all the dirt they pick up on the street? Yes, we’re probably adding a new concern you didn’t want to have, but trust us, it’s better for your overall health to clean your shoe rack once in a while.
7–Showerhead
Did you know showerheads should be cleaned at least six times a year? It is recommended to wash it periodically to ensure proper water flow and avoid the accumulation of residues like scale that then fall onto your body. And you don’t even need to resort to toxic cleaning products. White vinegar is an excellent natural cleaner and disinfectant that will leave your shower looking like new. You can thank us later!
8–Fridge drawers
If only we had self-cleaning refrigerators by now, but we’re not there yet. For the time being, it’s up to us to clean them. Fridge drawers tend to accumulate leftover food and other debris, generating dirt and bad odors that can affect the rest of your food. As mentioned above, you can use vinegar to avoid intoxication. Oh, and don’t forget the freezer!
9–Behind the toilet
When cleaning the bathroom, we often forget about the smallest and most inaccessible corners. Spots like behind the toilet build up a lot of dirt and bacteria. It’s a tedious task, but it would be a good idea to start incorporating the cleaning of this area in your weekly routine.
10–Curtains and curtain rods
We recommend washing the curtains about twice a year. To remove dust regularly, you can vacuum them or use a lint roller. While cleaning the curtains, don’t forget the curtain rods. Although not visible to the naked eye, they get quite dusty from daily contact with sunlight and air from open windows. They can be cleaned with a feather duster or the extendable brush of your vacuum cleaner. Much better than cleaning the bathroom!
11–Rugs and carpets
You probably already have the habit of sweeping and vacuuming your rugs and carpets regularly. But the truth is, sometimes this is not enough. It is advisable to disinfect them from time to time. To do this, you can sprinkle them with baking soda, leave for an hour, and then remove with a vacuum cleaner. Your allergic relatives and friends will be grateful!
12–Air conditioner
This is very important and most people don’t know it: you shouldn’t let dust and dirt build up inside your air conditioner because it can ruin it. In addition, clean equipment improves air quality, optimizes system performance, avoids breakdowns, and reduces energy consumption. You can clean it easily with the help of a vacuum cleaner!
13–Ceiling lamps
Because they are difficult to access, ceiling lamps tend to accumulate much more dust —and spider webs!— than any other part of your house. It’s true, you probably need a ladder to do it, but we recommend that you clean them frequently to avoid respiratory problems. Being careful not to break the bulbs, you can clean them with an extendable duster.
14–Bookshelves
We all love to collect precious objects, memorabilia, and, above all, books. But the truth is, they accumulate a lot of dust. At least twice a year, take out your book collection and give it a duster; yes, one by one. Before putting them back, clean the shelves with a cloth. Use this thorough cleanup as an opportunity to get rid of the books you no longer need!
15–Matress
Cleaning a mattress can be an exhausting and expensive task. But you should know that the accumulation of dirt, dust mites, and other germs can affect your allergies or even trigger new ones.
The good news is that you can follow these simple steps to avoid having to do a deep cleaning too often: When you get up, don’t make the bed immediately; leave it unmade so it can air out. Take advantage of the weekly bedsheet change to ventilate your mattress, dust it off, and vacuum it. As mentioned above, you can also use baking soda to disinfect and eliminate bad smells.
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