8 Areas in Your Home You're Forgetting To Clean - Home & Texture
Home Maintenance Areas You’re Forgetting To Clean

Spring Cleaning Checklist: 8 Areas You're Forgetting To Clean

Uncover those hiding spots to ensure every nook and cranny is left sparkling clean.

March 25, 2024 at 11:18 PM PST

Now that spring is here, it’s time to start detoxing your home with some much-needed spring cleaning. Deep cleaning your home after a long, cold season is the perfect way to breathe new life into your living space. Many people take their spring cleaning seriously. In fact, there are a myriad of strategies specially created to maximize this seasonal tradition. But no matter how in-depth your strategy is, there are still many areas you might be forgetting to clean.

For a super thorough spring cleaning sesh, here are eight areas that you need to clean but are probably forgetting.

A close up shot of a ceiling fan
Photo credit: Maxwell Ingham 

1. Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures

Ceiling fans and light fixtures are commonly forgotten about, but they’re the areas that tend to accumulate dust and debris the most. This is especially true during the winter months when they’re not in frequent use.

To keep dust at bay, use a duster with an extendable handle to wipe the blades of your fan and your light fixtures. And if you come across a particularly stubborn area, try a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap to help lift any staining.

2. Air Vents and Registers

Regularly cleaning your HVAC system is important for healthy air quality and flow. This includes wiping dust and debris from the air vents and registers so that the system can run efficiently.

So if you happen to notice dust building up, reach out to a professional to schedule a duct cleaning to fix the problem.

3. Baseboards and Crown Molding

Baseboards and crown molding are popular areas for dust and pet hair to build up. And when this happens, it can make the entire room look unkempt.

To prevent this, try using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove loose debris. Then, use a damp cloth to wipe down your baseboards and molding to take care of any leftover dirt and debris.

A close up of a window sill
Photo credit: David Lezcano 

4. Window Tracks and Sills

When not cleaned properly, window tracks and sills make for the perfect breeding grounds for dirt, pollen, and mold to form.

In order to avoid this, tackle loose debris with a vacuum cleaner that comes with a narrow attachment. Then, wipe the areas down with a mixture of warm water and vinegar or a mild detergent.

Pro Tip: Using a toothbrush or cotton swab can make it easier to tackle hard-to-reach corners and crevices.

5. Underneath Furniture

A common, yet unexpected area that harbors dust and pet dander is underneath furniture.

To maintain healthy air quality, use a handheld vacuum cleaner to suck up debris from underneath your furniture — i.e. couches, beds, and chairs.

6. Behind Appliances

If you haven’t been cleaning behind your refrigerator, stove, dishwasher or other common appliances, they’re likely covered in grease, crumbs, and dust. This tends to happen over time, especially since these appliances are in frequent use.

Be sure to keep these areas clean by pulling out the appliances, and using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to clean the floor and walls. Finally, use a cleaning solution or a damp cloth to wipe down the surfaces to get rid of stains and grease that have built up.

White Shower Curtain inside a Bathroom
Photo credit: Andrea Davis 

7. Shower Curtain and Liner

Shower curtains and liners are often overlooked during routine cleaning. And because of this, they can quickly become riddled with mold and mildew over time.

To avoid disaster, be sure to wash your curtain and liner in the washing machine with a mild detergent, plus bleach if you need to. Then, hang them up to dry before reattaching them to their rod.

8. Garbage Cans and Recycling Bins

If you notice an unpleasant odor coming from your kitchen or bathroom, it could be bacteria buildup from your garbage cans and recycling bins.

To alleviate this problem, make it a point to empty out the contents of your bins, before cleaning them with hot, soapy water. If an odor is particularly stubborn, try sprinkling baking soda inside the bins and letting it sit for a few hours before rinsing.




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