I’m in the middle of a season of cleaning. There are so many places people forget to clean. Here are 17 places to make sure to clean now.
I just typed in September 31.
What in the world? Maybe it’s because I’ve been so busy with decorating that I can’t believe October showed up today. Andin the middle of all that fall decorating?
I discovered something.
My house was a lot dirtier than I thought.
Yikes.
You know me. I have to keep it real around here. The realest of the real. Somewhere between Nantucket and Cape Cod and making sure my spray tan was perfectly sprayed, I let all the cobwebs and dust and general debris get a little out of control. If you just stopped by you wouldn’t notice. It’s not the general cleaning. The rooms look vacuumed and the kitchen countertops are sparkling and the bathroom floors are clean.
But if you look closely?
If you walked around and looked in the corners and the spaces that everyone forgets about?
I’m not sure you would still want to be friends with me.
So today I’m all about the cleaning.
But not the normal cleaning.
Today is all about 17 places everyone forgets to clean.
Everyone like me.
Especially me.
1. Washer
I’ve talked about this before, but number one on our list is the washer.
I know it’s kind of counterintuitive because it’s supposed to CLEAN your clothes—but the washer can get so dirty. It’s not so much the main drum, it’s all the little places inside the washer.
Here are five tips to clean the washer:
1. This is my favorite washer cleaner that I use all the time. It works with both top and front loaders and you just drop it in and run a cycle.
You can see the washer cleaner here.
2. You can also run a cycle with a cup of vinegar in the detergent dispenser to dissolve all that disgusting soap scum (yucky yuck yuck) and freshen up the drum.
3. Make sure to clean the rubber seal around the door with a damp cloth and baking soda paste. This tackles mildew and keeps it grime-free. I don’t even want to tell you the layers of dirt that I found in mine. Make sure to use gloves. I’m just saying.
4. Remove the detergent dispenser and soak it in soapy water to get rid of built-in soap.
5. One last tip— make SURE to clean out the lint trap regularly—mine is a dust bunny retirement home.
2. Dishwasher
This is kind of like the washer—another thing meant for cleaning, but it can get so dirty.
Here are four tips to clean the dishwasher:
1. This is my favorite dishwasher cleaner that I use all the time. It’s so easy if you want a time saver. I just drop it into the dishwasher and run a cycle.
You can see the dishwasher cleaner here.
2. If you don’t want to get the cleaner, you can always run an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar (don’t you love how amazing vinegar is) in the bottom rack. The vinegar will get rid of all those bad smells.
3. The spray arms may need a little TLC too. Remove them and clean them with a toothbrush and warm soapy water. I just usually soak them in the sink
4. Make sure the rubber gasket around the door is clean (mine was NOT). Wipe it down with a microfiber cloth.
You can see the microfiber cloths that I love here.
(total aside: we had a dishwasher repairman tell us one time to just drop the packet of dishwashing detergent into the bottom of the dishwasher and it worked better than putting it into the dishwasher detergent container).
3. Trash can
This seems like Captain Obvious to me.
Trash cans should be clean because they are….wait for it…FULL OF TRASH.
Except I always forget to clean mine.
Here are four tips to clean the trash can:
1. Make sure to empty the trash on the regular. It prevents stinkiness and stuff building up around the edges.
2. Sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of the can underneath the bag. It will absorb odors and prevent it from smelling too much.
3. Use a microfiber cloth or scrub brush with soapy water to clean the inside (and outside) of the can.
4. Don’t forget about the lid. Wipe the lid (and the seal if you have one) with a microfiber cloth.
4. Behind the toilet
I’m talking about that space that’s behind the tank.
And the base of the toilet in the very back.
So many times people forget to clean back there and just clean the front.
Here are four tips to clean behind the toilet:
1. Start by sweeping the floor behind the toilet with a broom. This gets rid of all the yuck before you start scrubbing.
2. I use the thin hose attachment on my vacuum cleaner to get behind the toilet and the very back of the toilet, too.
3. Spray behind the toilet with a good all-purpose cleaner. Let it sit for a few minutes to loosen up dirt.
4. Use an old toothbrush or a small scrub brush to scrub away dirt and grime and wipe down everything with a microfiber cloth to shine it all up.
5. Top of ceiling fan
Are you all about ceiling fans where you live?
We have ceiling fans here (although not too many) because we live in Texas.
Ours are too busy spinning sometimes to get clean. And then when you stop them? Yikes.
Here are four tips to clean the top of the ceiling fan:
1. Turn off the fan (I know it’s Captain Obvious but I had to say it).
2. Grab a microfiber cloth or a duster to wipe down the top of the fan and the light fixture. This one is so good because it has an extendable handle and it’s on sale right now.
You can see the ceiling fan duster here.
3. Carefully clean each blade with the duster, working from the top down to avoid disturbing the dust.
4. After cleaning each blade, give them a final wipe with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any remaining dust and add a shine.
6. On the top of doors
7. Door frames
We have over 100-year-old doors around here.
And they get extra dirty.
I wipe down the doors, but I never ever clean the top.
Until now.
Here are three tips to clean the top of the doors and the door frames:
1. Start by dusting the door frame and the top of the door with a dry microfiber cloth to remove loose dust and debris.
2. Then use a damp cloth with a mild cleaning solution or a damp microfiber cloth to wipe away any remaining dirt, fingerprints, or smudges.
3. Don’t forget to wipe the hinges, too.
8. Lampshades
When was the last time you cleaned your lampshades?
I just usually swipe a cobweb or two off the edges.
But lampshades need to be cleaned, too.
Here are four tips to clean lampshades:
1. Before you start cleaning, gently shake or tap the lampshade over a trash can to remove loose dust and debris.
2. Use a feather duster to gently brush away any remaining dust and debris. If the lampshade is fabric, you can also use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment on a low setting.
3. For stubborn stains or marks, spot clean with a damp cloth and Dawn dish detergent. Be sure to test an area first to make sure it doesn’t damage the lampshade.
4. After cleaning, allow the lampshade to dry completely before putting it back on the lamp.
9. Chandelier prisms
I love chandelier prisms.
They let the light dance when they are clean.
Here are four tips to clean the chandelier prisms:
1. Before you start, make sure the chandelier is off and the bulbs have had time to cool down.
2. Use a soft, microfiber cloth or a feather duster to gently brush away dust from the prisms.
3. When I clean my chandeliers, I use a chandelier cleaner like this which works so well. Make sure to put a cloth down first because it drips everywhere.
4. If you’d rather use natural cleaner you can mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Dip a soft cloth in the solution and gently wipe down each prism.
10. Bath mats
I love a good bath mat.
But I don’t love a bathmat that’s dirty (and it’s so easy to forget to toss in the washer).
Yuck and yuck.
Here are three tips to clean the bath mats:
1. Most bath mats can be machine washed. Check the care label on the mat for specific instructions, but generally, you can wash them on a gentle cycle with cold water.
2. Don’t overload the washing machine with too many bath mats. Give them space to move around and get thoroughly cleaned.
3. After washing, air dry your bath mat. I’ve done this and it shrunk my bath mat.
11. Door knobs
We have vintage door knobs in our house.
And some of them showed up with decades of dirt.
They need to be constantly wiped down (as well as the area around the door knob).
Here are three tips to clean the door knobs:
1. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the doorknob, paying special attention to the crevices and around the latch.
2. After cleaning, dry the door knob with a clean, dry cloth. You can also polish it with a bit of lemon oil to restore its shine.
3. Don’t forget to clean the door knob plate as well as around the door.
12. Top of television
I’m watching football right now and I just checked the top of the television.
Sigh.
It needs to be wiped down (but I have to wait until after the game so the television can cool down).
Here are three tips to clean the top of the television:
1. Always unplug the television before cleaning. Safety first.
2. Use a microfiber to gently remove the dust from the top of the television.
3. Dust around the rest of the television, too.
13. Underneath shampoo in shower
Trust me.
My shower caddy in the corner is no where near this clean.
It’s full of shampoo and conditioner and bubble bath.
And I forget to lift them up and clean underneath.
Here are four tips to clean under the shampoo in the shower:
1. Take all the stuff out of your shower caddy.
2. Spray with a bathroom cleaner and let it sit for 10 minutes to dilute all the grime.
3. Wipe down with a microfiber cloth.
4. Replace all your bathroom freshy products.
(total aside: you may want to wipe down the shower head while you are near the shower.)
14. Leaves of faux plants
I have a lot of faux plants sitting around the house.
I don’t have to water them so I forget to clean them.
Keeping your faux plants clean makes them look more realistic.
Here are four tips to clean faux plants:
1. Use a soft cloth or a feather duster to gently brush away dust from the leaves of your faux plants.
2. If the plants have lots of nooks and crannies, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment on a low setting to remove dust.
3. For more stubborn dust or dirt, you can gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. Be sure to dry the leaves completely after cleaning.
4. For a thorough cleaning, you can (literally) shower your faux plants with water in the tub. Just make sure to let them dry completely before putting them back in place.
15. Slipcovers
I am all about a slipcover.
So is Buddy.
So I have to wash them to keep them clean.
Here are five tips to clean slipcovers:
1. Find a big bin or bucket and soak the slipcovers.
2. Add a scoop of Molly’s Suds to a bin. I find it’s easier if you dissolve the detergent in a smaller container and then add it to the larger bin.
3. Add the slipcovers from the couch cushions two at a time to the bin making sure the cushion cover is submerged in the water.
4. Wash them in the washer
Remove them from the bin and wring out any excess water. Then I washed them on the regular laundry cycle.
5. Don’t dry. If your stains don’t come out? Soak and wash again to try to get the stain out.
You can see Molly’s Suds here.
16. Remotes
I really mean television remotes, but I had this random picture of a candle remote.
So just apply this to all the remotes on your home.
They really need to be cleaned.
Here are three tips to clean remotes:
1. Use a soft, damp microfiber cloth to gently clean the remote. Pay special attention to the buttons.
2. After cleaning, dry the remote thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth to prevent moisture damage.
3. Purpose to clean your remotes more often— especially during cold and flu season.
17. Salt and pepper shakers
And last but not least.
Salt and pepper shakers.
When was the last time you cleaned them?
We just want salt and pepper and not extra stuff in our salt and pepper shakers.
Here are four tips to clean salt and pepper shakers:
1. Empty the salt and pepper shakers completely. If they have removable tops, take them off to clean.
2. Fill a small bowl or sink with warm soapy water. Soak the shakers for about 10 minutes to loosen any stuck-on residue.
3. Use a soft brush or a sponge to gently scrub the inside and outside of the shakers.
4. Rinse the shakers thoroughly with clean water. Then, dry them completely with a clean cloth or a towel.
Whew.
That was A LOT.
A LOT of cleaning things that most of us probably forget about.
I hope this was helpful.
And if you are fall decorating and not cleaning?
No worries.
You can always save this for later.
PS What do you think? Did I miss something that you think that people often forget to clean?
Let’s discuss in the comments. Thanks friend.
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