Remote control
The remote control is one of the highest touched items in a household. It is also one of the germiest. This means it is in dire need of a constant cleaning. Unfortunately, many people either don’t clean the remote control enough or don’t clean it at all.
According to cleaning experts, this particular item should be cleaned at least once a week due to everyone touching it on a daily basis. Cleaning it is quite simple: just use disinfecting wipes to make sure you eliminate all viruses and germs, particularly during colder months.
Dishwasher
Many people believe, for good reason, that appliances that clean other items, such as dishwashers, are self-cleaning. Nothing further from the truth. Some might have a self-cleaning option, but that is not enough to eliminate all the dirt they accumulate.
As explained by Haven Polich, product manager of appliance company ASKO Americas, it is important for you to clean the appliances thoroughly to protect their performance and extend their lifespan.
In the case of dishwashers, it is recommended to clean them once a month if you’re using it regularly. If not, every couple of months should be enough. Pay special attention to the drain strainer and floor of the dishwasher,” recommends Polich. If your dishwasher lacks the self-cleaning option, you can use vinegar to eliminate detergent buildups and hard-water stains.
Speaking of dishwashers, if you want to know how to have squeaky clean dishes, check out this article: Can’t Get Crystal Clear Dishes out of the Dishwasher? This Is Why!
68 Responses
How to clean grout
Would love to see and read what items are neglected as we clean. I did not come across any list. Thank you.
Don’t forget to sanitize bathroom doorknobs and commode flusher as often as possible!
One item I notice is that friends of ours put in and take out their own a/c units. They never clean them after using or before installing. They are pretty gross and unhealthy. Some of these friends
claim to be extremely clean!
All those things that has been mentioned I clean them because dust will accumulate so much that you want ba able to remove it. It can also cause stain on your furniture and appliances if left on there long period of time.
Great tips, What about computer screens and nasty keyboards?
Great tips. First time visitor here. Any tips on cleaning computer screen and keyboard?
My mother taught me to clean as a child and every one of those spots you spoke of I’m happy to say get cleaned regularly. Other places people forget are behind the refrigerator they have wheels just move them and behind your washer and dryer . Also vacuum your lint tray regularly clean out the ducts to prevent fires the list goes on .
Door handles, light switches, inside of cabinets, keeping the garage debris free. Storage shed in backyard, clean & pest free. The refrigerator coils, ice makers. The vent at the bottom of the front of the frig. The outdoor grill!
There’s a vent at the bottom of the frig door? This i didn’t know. Please share how to find and clean that.
Also how would you go about cleaning the ice maker? I have been wanting to do this.
Thank you.
Too much useless and empty information
I am a 87 year old Male. I have been doing these kind of things since before I was in the military. Alas my beautiful wife was not so educated in deep cleaning as I was growing up. Her and her family grew up using Swiffer products mops, etc. Which are only good for filling up Land Fills. I have always used a bucket and mop. I purchased a small sized bucket with a squeegee device just like the industrial ones like the school custodians use. Same color. Yellow. Liquid dish soap and Clorox. For glass and windows I use Vinegar and Windex depending on condition of glass. Toilets need some elbow grease with little chemicals, etc..
Good article
I use a microwave cover over my food almost every time I use the microwave (never for beverages), so my microwave stays very clean. When I do notice a few splatters, I remove the bottom glass plate (that I wash in the sink), put in a bowl with just plain water and microwave it for a bit until the microwave is steamy inside. Then I wipe with a paper towel. My apartment is small, and I don’t want the odor of vinegar all around me. Just plain water does the trick.
cleaning water stains off elstestainless
Why isn’t the article here your link sends people to?
Some of this I never even thought of! Thank you!
Seriously, I’ve been cleaning these areas & more for 50 years, this is not a new concept, just common sense & know the basics of proper sanitation.
The tracks on patio doors and windows are frequently overlooked well.
As a cleaner, I specifically deep clean these areas. They’re the worst for accumulating dead bugs, dirt and other debris.
Also overlooked are bathroom tissue and paper towel roll holders. The amount of dust that builds up on those is unbelievable.
What about the sliding door tracks on the glass doors that lead to a deck or patio? How about the tracks that windows slide up & down on? How about putting the shower curtain in the washing machine with a little bleach to give it a thorough cleaning?
I LOVE your site!
I must say, that I am VERY PROUD of myself, because I do ALL of these very things regularly.
Some of them twice a month.
Keep them coming.
I always wash my toilet handles and my light switches and door knobs.
How many people wash and scrub lemons and limes before slicing or wedging them for drinks or cooking?
This is a scam in order to just sell products.
Absolutely no information offered here.
So annoying
Not playing your 6 page click and view game
I think that we can go overboard with this cleaning stuff.
Not only great reminders but also great solutions. Please keep them coming! Greatly appreciated!
I just finished the nine items mentioned in your article. To say I was impressed doesn’t cover the extent of my appreciation for publishing it. Thank you again! Please continue bring this information to our attention!
Thankfully I clean everything listed and more. My mom was militant about cleaning and though I wasn’t happy as a teenager I am more than glad now. I’m almost over the top.
Thank you for calling our attention to these potentially dirty places that get ignored. Fortunately, i am very conscientious about cleaning most of these places. I just might not do them frequently enough. I do find cleaning between appliances and cabinets a bit difficult, as these places can be quite difficult to get to. Any suggestions how to facilitate this cleaning project? Many times appliances are fitted quite tightly between built in cabinets.
I’m not sure if this is considered household, but I wonder how many people think to clean their screens. If you live in a busy area with lots of Road dust they get dirty rather quickly and accumulate a lot of dust which prevents a good air flow and also distributes dust throughout the house. Besides maintaining an indoor air purifier, I find that my screens need to be cleaned at least annually and probably should be done monthly but I can’t manage that. Air is more important than water and food and a condition of your lungs depends on clean air. I hope you will consider adding this to your list of important areas in the home to clean
Great tips.
Don’t expect hired cleaners to do this because, nowadays, they think they can hand out a shingle or put themselves on social media and they can make a quick buck with a Swiffer. They don’t know what they are doing. I can write a book about the cleaners I hired and what they did when they came to my home.
Where is the list of places I forget to clean?
Great advice, but don’t forget to vacuum the heat and air conditioners ducts and clean the tracks of your sliding glass patio doors.
Under the washer AND dryer. Dust galore. Under the refrigerator/ stove. Dust and grease.
Good tips. Love the use of vinegar!
Most queen size or king size beds REQUIRE many supports underneath the frame and/or the box spring to spread out the weight and not cause the mattress to sag. It is IMPOSSIBLE to move those beds with 12 supporters. A vacuum hose that can be negotiated under and around each one is required. A real pain in the neck.
Thanks much, but you forgot door knobs!!!!! They can be the dirtiest most germ collected touch things in your home.
Well I guess I am not gross then because I do all of these
dishwasher
Smart phones,computers,remotes,door knobs, refrigerator n handles, filters, faucet handles, cabinet handles, casings atop doorways, light bulbs ! ..under beds & sofas, Lamp shades, oven, whole toilet( inside & out ) ! , refrigerator top & behind( coils), door jambs & thresholds, blinds, walls, t.v, medicine cabinet shelves,
The tops of refrigerators
Very dusty
Shut up.
Good information.
Loved it! Best way to clean wood cabinets?
Very eye opening. I will try these cleaning hints.
Two things you missed
The Fridge
Garbage Can
Too many ads. Ads are bigger than three paragraphs. Ads not relevant to topic. Article click bait spread over multiple pages to inundate reader with useless confusing giant ads. This help site has devolved into uselessness. I’m done with this.
Thank you so very much!! This was very helpful!! I’m actually looking forward to implementing these things and looking forward to having a cleaner and healthier house!!
Also all the tracks around your windows. I have these pesky spiders that make webs if I don’t clean them all the time. Gross and time-consuming. They come in from the outside and they create big webs outside too. Those suckers are busy.
lets not forget to wipe inside refrigerator clean out old foods and pull it out to clean behind italso stove should be pulled out and cleaned behind
Wonderful ideas!! Thank you! Will continue to read the rest.
How do I clean Down pillows?
I do all of these things some daily and some monthly….
Keeping a clean home will keep the cockroaches, rodents, and other pests out.
You should have added under the refrigerator coils and sides, refrigerator and grates that cover heating and cold air returns.
Another grody unwashed item????? A soiled laundry basket!!!!! I have had a client whose husband will NOT clean their poop and pee smelling laundry basket, so I have to sneak it in his neighbor’s apartment to give it a thorough cleaning!!! Another thing I “LOVE” about being a home health care aide!!!
I want to cancel my order! I thought I would get the opportunity to go over all cost!
Shipping
Tax
Additional
Why was I not given that option?!!!
Good to know.
Why do I get hungry when cleaning and I cant use bathroom cleaner spray i get diarrhea from it so I use vinegar and soap
They make fun of the elderly. Listen: ALL OF THIS WAS COMMON KNOWLEDGE in the 50’s and not worth an entire article. Thanks anyway.
Quite revealing, useful and educational.
No list
They forgot baseboards
This list says;
Fan blades, pillow cases, shower track (which if you clean your shower that should automatically be done), Floor under furniture, cabinets in between your over, microwave ceiling, silverware tray, Remote control and dishwasher.
Cleaning window sills and the frames above the windows sills and door frames. Keeping your Spice cabinets clean and continually wiping down the spice bottles that you use. Cleaning the small things in the house that are neglected but can cause germs like the inside of your washer and dryer tracks and the washer compartment that holds the liquid, bleach and fabric softener.
DIDN’T GET A list