Perla IrishCleaning. The word that so many of us dread. It’s not fun cleaning, especially if you’re a busy person. But it’s a task you can’t ignore, particularly if you want to maintain a sparkly and sanitized space.
You may be good at covering the essentials in your apartment. You clean the kitchen floor and vacuum the carpet at least once a week.
Unfortunately, though, there are a lot of other “hidden” areas that you’re missing. Here are nine sneaky spots in your apartment that are going unnoticed!
1. Upholstery
If you haven’t been vacuuming your upholstery, make time to do it! After vacuuming chairs, rugs, mattresses, etc., use a rag and warm water to finish the job. Gently wipe off any remaining dirt and stains you see.
For any stubborn stains, use a formula that targets stains. For example, a bio-enzymatic cleaner is a natural way to lift stains and clean upholstery.
For leather furniture, there are wipes you can use to treat leather upholstery.
2. Behind the TV
A lot of dust can accumulate behind a television. If you swipe one of your fingers across the surface, the amount that comes away will surprise you!
Grab a duster — if you have one — and get rid of the dust. Moving forward, you should try to stay on top of it.
Another way to wipe the dust is by getting a few microfiber cleaning cloths. They’re soft on furniture but will still get the job done.
Don’t forget to clean the back of the TV because it’s easy for dust and grime to set up shop there as well.
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3. Shelves
It may seem like a pain removing things from the shelves to clean them, but it’s essential to do. Get out your duster again and use a multi-purpose cleaner to get rid of any dirt.
If you have wooden shelves, make sure the cleaner is safe for wood. Otherwise, you may damage it. A wood cleaner tackles debris and makes shelves and other wood surfaces look shiny and new!
For shelves that are hard to reach, get a small stepping stool to make the job easier.
4. Shower Curtain Liner
After a while, mould tries to take over your shower curtain liner. Prevent that from happening by using a bathroom cleaner. Spray it on the curtain after every shower, especially on the bottom part of it.
That’s where the most moisture remains in the liner’s creases.
It may seem tedious, but it’ll prevent a bunch of mould from taking over your shower curtain liner. Gross!
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy a new liner every six months or so, however. Or, replace it sooner if you start noticing a little bit of stubborn mould that won’t go away.
5. Silverware Drawer
The silverware drawer may have other things in there besides silverware. After a while, little dust molecules and food crumbs can find their way inside. Even though your silverware is clean, it could be getting dirty from dust particles.
Clean out the drawer (and utensil holder if you have one) more often to keep things germ free.
6. The Trash Can
Sure, you’re taking out the trash. But just because you’re removing the bag doesn’t prevent spills from getting inside or outside the trash can. If there’s a rancid smell you can’t identify, then it’s time to clean the trash can.
It’s likely the smell is coming from there, or it’s a sign that you should clean it up anyway. If your trash can is stainless steel, invest in a stainless steel cleaner. And if it’s plastic, a multi-purpose cleaner should do the trick.
Make it a habit to thoroughly wash the trash can to keep it sanitized and clean. There are so many germs and food stains that can camp out there!
7. Microwave
Not only is it essential to clean the inside of your microwave, but don’t forget the outside! Dust is hiding on top of your microwave and the outside of it.
If it’s in a cubby, remove the microwave once in a while. It’s vital to tackle any dirt that’s hiding.
Don’t forget about the screen of the microwave! There are likely some baked-in food stains and dirt that have accumulated. Clean that up regularly so that you won’t have to worry about germs transferring to your food.
8. Pet Bowls
Are you making sure your furry pal’s bowls are clean? Get dishwasher safe bowls so you can stick them in the dishwasher. It’s best if you wash the bowls either by hand or the dishwasher once a day.
You don’t want Fido getting sick because you’re not washing the water bowl often enough! It would be best if you cleaned his food bowl after each meal.
Side note: Depending on how active your dog is, there are likely food floaters and dirt if he played outside. Change his water often so he won’t be drinking particles in addition to his water!
9. Under the Sink
Cleaning under the sink may be last on your cleaning priority list. It doesn’t matter if you have cleaning supplies under there, though.
That doesn’t mean everything is staying clean! You’ll likely be shocked at how much dirt has accumulated.
Remove your stash of cleaning products and wipe everything down. Give the area under your sink a thorough cleaning, just like you’re doing in other areas of your apartment.
Moving forward, don’t forget to remove the cleaning supplies more often. Under the sink is an area you should stay on top of since it’s where your cleaning supplies live.
Conclusion
Sure, cleaning is a pain. But after you see the hidden dirt and muck, you’ll likely motivate yourself to tackle more cleaning.
It’s a reality check to find dust and scum in hidden spots. Who knew there’d be so much ground to cover! Where there’s some grime, there’s, unfortunately, a lot more in other hidden areas.
It’s time to hunt the dirty areas down and get to scrubbing!
Author bio:
Caitlin Sinclair is the Property Manager at Woodland Park with five years of property management experience and many more in Customer Service. She shares her passion for her community and looks forward to making Woodland Park the place to call home.
