Sometimes, despite your best cleaning efforts, areas of the home (or items within it) remain neglected and dirty, and this is often because we simply forget about them, or don’t realize just how grubby they can get. Even the cleanest of homes may be harboring a few dirty secrets!
But, with bacteria able to multiply every 20 minutes in the right environment, it’s important to try and get these secret dirty spots clean, and fast!
While the quickest and most convenient way to get every corner of your home spotlessly clean is by hiring a cleaning service, there are some tasks you may wish to perform yourself. As such, you can check out these places and items in your home, and see if they need to be cleaned, and how:
Dirty spots in your bathroom
Pay special attention to these areas of your bathroom and check for dust, debris, mold and mildew:
- Shower/tub
- Drains
- Faucets
- Toilet and the area around it
Use a mixture of vinegar and water, or a paste of vinegar, baking soda and water, to eliminate hard water stains and get your entire bathroom hygienically clean. An old toothbrush can come in handy for getting into smaller spaces that may be grubby.
Dirty spots behind radiators/heaters
Most people don’t even think to clean behind their radiators and heaters, but dust and other dirt can easily build up behind them if you don’t vacuum behind them every couple of months or so. Just make sure they’re switched off first!
Dirty spots in your washing machine
Even if you don’t leave wet laundry sitting in your machine, they are still pieces of equipment that can play host to a lot of germs and bacteria, and as such, warrant regular cleaning. Disinfecting the drum every week is a good way to keep it clean and smelling fresh, and checking for a buildup of fluff and slime in the gasket should be done on a regular basis to help keep your laundry as fresh and clean as the machine you wash it in.
Dirty spots on grouting
Whether in your kitchen or your bathroom, grouting can get grubby quickly, especially in a damp environment. Fortunately, white vinegar and a scrubbing brush are very effective for eliminating dirt and mold spots, and if you don’t have the time to do it yourself, ask a cleaning service to do it for you.
Dirty spots on skirting boards and walls
Vacuum cleaner attachments and a microfiber duster are all it takes to get rid of dust and dirt that might be lingering on your walls and skirting boards, and while you might not always notice dirt in these places, you can be sure it’s there!
Dirty spots in air vents
Anything and everything can accumulate in air vents around your home, but if left, they can be detrimental to your health by aggravating allergy symptoms. Armed with a good vacuum cleaner, however, you can suck away all of the grime and leave your vents spotlessly clean and hygienic.
Dirty spots in the kitchen
Kitchens have the potential to play host to a range of harmful bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella, so it’s important not to neglect the following areas when cleaning:
- Cutting boards
- Countertops and sink
- Refrigerator
- Coffee maker
- Garbage disposal
- Trash can
- Cabinets and pantry
Dirty spots on handles and switches
Touched frequently, and not always by clean hands, COVID-19 taught us all the importance of cleaning these items with disinfectant in the home, on a regular basis:
- Stove knobs
- Microwave handle
- Light switches
- Door and cabinet handles
- Refrigerator handle
While you don’t need to become obsessed about germs and hygiene in your home, you do need to pay attention to the above areas to ensure that you’re keeping you and those you live with, safe and free from harm.
