9 Things We're Pretty Sure You're Forgetting to Clean
Think your home is spotless? We dare you to tick off these areas that are usually ignored by most homeowners
There are always messy kitchen countertops, wardrobes, laundry and dirty dishes that need to be dealt with. But ever wondered about all the non-obvious areas that you forget to give attention to? More often than not, these tend to be the most frequently used. Here’s our list of all those inconspicuous spaces and things … take notes.
2. Light switches
The very fact that a light switch is used by multiple people is proof enough that it needs to be cleaned thoroughly, and often. Use an all-purpose cleaner and do a quick wipe down with a microfibre cloth.
Ensure you always keep the switch off while cleaning; for stronger safety precautions, you could even switch the main power off. Once the cleaning is done, wipe with a dry cloth so that the switch isn’t damp any longer.
Here’s a guide to lighting your home right
The very fact that a light switch is used by multiple people is proof enough that it needs to be cleaned thoroughly, and often. Use an all-purpose cleaner and do a quick wipe down with a microfibre cloth.
Ensure you always keep the switch off while cleaning; for stronger safety precautions, you could even switch the main power off. Once the cleaning is done, wipe with a dry cloth so that the switch isn’t damp any longer.
Here’s a guide to lighting your home right
3. Tops of almirahs
Out of sight is out of mind, isn’t it? And for the home, it’s mostly those tall, high-up areas that aren’t easy to reach. Remember to dedicate a day every month to take out the ladder, and dust and wipe the top of cabinets, almirahs and other storage units.
Out of sight is out of mind, isn’t it? And for the home, it’s mostly those tall, high-up areas that aren’t easy to reach. Remember to dedicate a day every month to take out the ladder, and dust and wipe the top of cabinets, almirahs and other storage units.
4. Plants
Sure, we remember to water our plants, add manure regularly and give them enough sunlight. But plants need to be cleaned too, as they collect dust, grime and sometimes dead insects. For houseplants with large leaves (such as a peace lily), gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. The varieties with bristly leaves, such as African violets, can be dusted using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Plants with thin, small leaves that cannot be cleaned by hand can be placed under a gentle shower to remove dust.
These are the most common symptoms of poor plant health
Sure, we remember to water our plants, add manure regularly and give them enough sunlight. But plants need to be cleaned too, as they collect dust, grime and sometimes dead insects. For houseplants with large leaves (such as a peace lily), gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. The varieties with bristly leaves, such as African violets, can be dusted using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Plants with thin, small leaves that cannot be cleaned by hand can be placed under a gentle shower to remove dust.
These are the most common symptoms of poor plant health
5. Drains
It’s always a good idea to keep the drain clean and clog-free rather than wait till it gets choked to finally do something about it. The easiest way to keep it clean is to use a drain-cleaning powder that can be purchased at any departmental store or online. Otherwise, for a slow-moving drain, consider adding hot water and tipping in half a spoon of baking soda and one spoon of vinegar. Pour hot water again after 10 mins.
It’s always a good idea to keep the drain clean and clog-free rather than wait till it gets choked to finally do something about it. The easiest way to keep it clean is to use a drain-cleaning powder that can be purchased at any departmental store or online. Otherwise, for a slow-moving drain, consider adding hot water and tipping in half a spoon of baking soda and one spoon of vinegar. Pour hot water again after 10 mins.
6. Remote control
Grime and dust collects on the remote without us noticing it. Also, with changing hands, the remote starts getting dirtier. A good way to clean it is by cleaning it with a mixture of water and Dettol or a trustworthy antiseptic liquid. Remember to remove the batteries before you start cleaning the remote. Give it a thorough wipe with cotton swabs at the end.
Grime and dust collects on the remote without us noticing it. Also, with changing hands, the remote starts getting dirtier. A good way to clean it is by cleaning it with a mixture of water and Dettol or a trustworthy antiseptic liquid. Remember to remove the batteries before you start cleaning the remote. Give it a thorough wipe with cotton swabs at the end.
7. Door handles
Think about the number of times door handles are used every day and how many germs from everybody’s hands linger there. A simple way to clean and disinfect them is with a cloth dampened with a mixture of water and liquid soap or an all-purpose non-toxic cleaner.
However, before attempting to clean brass door knobs or hardware, make sure that if it’s solid brass or brass-plated iron, steel or zinc, they should only be cleaned with warm soapy water. Refrain from rough polishing or using abrasives as they are likely to remove the brass plating. If you have a stainless-steel doorknob, do not use chlorine bleach or hard water for cleaning it. A mild soap will do.
Think about the number of times door handles are used every day and how many germs from everybody’s hands linger there. A simple way to clean and disinfect them is with a cloth dampened with a mixture of water and liquid soap or an all-purpose non-toxic cleaner.
However, before attempting to clean brass door knobs or hardware, make sure that if it’s solid brass or brass-plated iron, steel or zinc, they should only be cleaned with warm soapy water. Refrain from rough polishing or using abrasives as they are likely to remove the brass plating. If you have a stainless-steel doorknob, do not use chlorine bleach or hard water for cleaning it. A mild soap will do.
8. Books
While everyone remembers to clean bookshelves and cabinets, the most obvious product inside it sometimes gets ignored. Take a soft microfibre cloth to dust your books. If the book has a hard leather cover, consider cleaning it with clear shoe polish or cleaning polish. But first, test on a corner of the book, to make sure it doesn’t corrode the colour of the leather. Wipe off the polish with a clean cloth after you’ve removed the dirt.
See these amazing ways to display books
While everyone remembers to clean bookshelves and cabinets, the most obvious product inside it sometimes gets ignored. Take a soft microfibre cloth to dust your books. If the book has a hard leather cover, consider cleaning it with clear shoe polish or cleaning polish. But first, test on a corner of the book, to make sure it doesn’t corrode the colour of the leather. Wipe off the polish with a clean cloth after you’ve removed the dirt.
See these amazing ways to display books
9. Telephone
Agreed that nowadays everyone is mostly on their smart phones and the use of the landline has reduced considerably. But for intercom calls inside the building or those few occasions when you feel like picking up the instrument and dialling, make sure it’s from a clean telephone. You can disinfect it by wiping it with a clean cloth that has a few drops of eucalyptus oil on it. It will leave it smelling good, as well.
Read more:
A Thorough, Room-by-Room Cleaning Guide
Tell us:
Are there any other areas or items that you feel should be cleaned? Tell us about them in Comments below.
Agreed that nowadays everyone is mostly on their smart phones and the use of the landline has reduced considerably. But for intercom calls inside the building or those few occasions when you feel like picking up the instrument and dialling, make sure it’s from a clean telephone. You can disinfect it by wiping it with a clean cloth that has a few drops of eucalyptus oil on it. It will leave it smelling good, as well.
Read more:
A Thorough, Room-by-Room Cleaning Guide
Tell us:
Are there any other areas or items that you feel should be cleaned? Tell us about them in Comments below.
Most homeowners get so consumed cleaning, mopping and wiping the floors, they forget that the walls too need a regular wipe down. Every once a week, take a long feather brush to dust the walls. For walls that are waterproof, consider mixing mild soap with lukewarm water and dampen a clean towel or a microfibre cloth to clean.
Make these non-toxic, all-natural cleaning products