Which Important Home Cleaning Jobs Are You Forgetting?
Ever wondered if your home is as clean as it looks? Beyond the obvious day-to-day chores, there are quite a few essential cleaning tasks that many people overlook, which can quickly turn your home into an unhygienic space that threatens your family’s health. From neglecting your unclean carpet, to ignoring dust buildups in hidden places, let’s explore the forgotten cleaning jobs that you might be overlooking and how you can tackle them to keep your home clean and safe.
Home Cleaning Jobs for a Cleaner Home
1. Light Switches and Door Handles
Often touched multiple times a day by everyone in the household, light switches and door handles can quickly accumulate a large amount of germs and bacteria that are then picked up and transferred around the house.
These high-touch surfaces are easy to overlook but are easily cleaned with disinfectant wipes, so give them a quick wipe down once a week to remove the buildup and keep your home safe and clean.
2. Remote Controls
Remote controls are among the most frequently used and shared items in a home, but despite their regular use, they are often overlooked during routine cleaning, so simply wipe them down and disinfect them weekly to tick this task off your list.
3. Ceiling Fans and Fixtures
These fixtures collect dust which can quickly circulate through the air and impact indoor air quality, and despite being out of direct sight, they should be cleaned monthly to maintain a healthy living environment. Using a microfiber cloth or duster, gently remove the dust buildup to prevent it from dispersing throughout your home, and regularly check back to see if dust has begun to develop again to keep on top of this important cleaning task.
4. Sinks and Drains
Bacteria, grime, and food particles can all become trapped in your bathroom and kitchen sinks and drains, leading to unpleasant odours, compromised hygiene standards, and reduced cleaning efficiency. These areas require monthly attention to maintain a hygienic waste system and prevent potential plumbing issues, so remove and rinse any filters before using a cleaning solution designed for sinks and drains to clean them.
5. Washing Machine
Your washing machine is an important appliance that cleans your clothes and removes dirt, but it can itself become a source of odours and mould if it isn’t properly cleaned and maintained.
Detergent residue, trapped dirt from clothes, and grime can all accumulate over time, which can prevent it from draining properly and cause mould to grow, so clean your machine quarterly using a specific cleaner and running an empty hot water cycle. This routine not only eliminates unpleasant smells but also ensures your washing machine operates efficiently, extending its lifespan and keeping your laundry fresh and clean.
6. Oven Cleaning
Over time, food spills and grease builds up on the grill, hob, and interior of an oven, which leads to unpleasant odours and potential fire hazards. To keep your oven in top condition, and to keep your home and kitchen safe it should be cleaned every three months. This process involves removing racks, scrubbing them with soapy water, and using a commercial oven cleaner or a baking soda paste on the interior surfaces, which will in turn improve the cooking performance of your oven and extend its lifespan.
7. Shower Doors
Shower curtains, or glass doors depending upon your bathroom, are prime locations for mould and mildew due to their constant exposure to moisture, and should be addressed quarterly to maintain a clean bathroom.
Fabric shower curtains can be washed in the machine, while plastic ones may need replacement, and for glass doors, a thorough cleaning with a suitable cleaner will remove soap scum and streaks to prevent mould growth and keep your shower looking clean and hygienic.
8. Mattress Cleaning
When was the last time you flipped your mattress, or had it professionally cleaned? Over time, dust mites, dead skin cells, and sweat accumulate on your mattress to potentially cause allergies and affect sleep quality, and having it cleaned is one of the most important steps in creating a healthy sleeping environment.
To keep your mattress fresh and hygienic, it should be cleaned biannually. Start by vacuuming the entire surface to remove debris, then use a specialised mattress cleaner to tackle stains and odours, or outsource these cleaning jobs to a reputable home cleaning service to ensure it is done properly and reduce the risk of damage.
9. Window Cleaning
Even if you have a local window cleaner who regularly cleans your windows, if they use hard water to clean them then this is likely to cause stains and streaks over time, obstructing your view and potentially damaging the glass.
Professional window cleaning is vital for maintaining clear, streak-free windows that enhance your home’s appearance and allow natural light in, so have your windows cleaned twice a year at minimum. This service involves a thorough cleaning of the exterior surfaces, including frames and screens, by using specialised tools and solutions, so let the increased sunlight and good weather into your home by having your windows cleaned today.
10. Carpet Cleaning
Despite regular vacuuming, deep-seated dirt, dust, and allergens can remain in carpets to impact its appearance and trap bacteria. To address this, your carpets should undergo an annual professional cleaning, often as part of a comprehensive spring cleaning routine.
This thorough process penetrates deep into the fibres, effectively removing embedded grime and revitalising your carpet’s look, making it a worthwhile investment for a cleaner, healthier living space, so don’t forget to add a professional cleaning to your list of household cleaning jobs.
Investing in House Cleaning Services
Keeping up with these often-overlooked cleaning jobs is a time-consuming task that requires significant effort. For those who need assistance or prefer to leave it to the professionals, Domestique offers comprehensive house cleaning services tailored to cover every nook and cranny, so get in touch with their team today and trust them to keep your home spotless and inviting.