Unless you’re a top-tier clean freak, you likely won’t feel great after pursuing the following list. And who could blame you? If you’re anything like me, you devote hours to keeping things neat, tidy, and clean, only to remember that “this” is still dirty or “that” is covered in dust.
But, getting older is all about discovery and the following article is sure to serve more than a few surprises. It’s hard to forget to clean the toilet, and you can only burn through so many dishes before being left with no choice but to bust out the sponge. Today though, we’re going to run through the six items in your home that you’ve definitely forgotten to clean.
Maridav/ShutterstockEssential Cleaning Supplies
You can’t deeply clean all the stuff that you missed on your first run through if you don’t have the right tools for the job. Though there are a lot of specialty cleaners and fancy cleaning gadgets, you should be able to make due with the following cleaning essentials.1
Here’s a list of essential cleaning tools:
- A vacuum cleaner.
- A bucket.
- Rags.
- Microfiber cloths.
- Scrubbing sponges.
- A toilet brush.
- A grout brush.
- An extendable duster.
As for cleaning products, here’s a list of things you should always have on-hand:
- Dish soap.
- All-purpose cleaner.
- Oven cleaner.
- Stainless steel cleaner.
- Baking soda.
- White vinegar.
Plants
Houseplants already took a big hit when the myth that they have the power to purify the air in your apartment was officially busted.2 Well, it’s time to pile on.
Most people don’t know that their house plants collect dust as efficiently as the nightstands that they sit on. It’s important to clean off their leaves, as dust and debris can inhibit their ability to absorb sunlight.
If you’ve forgotten to clean yours, try misting them with water or wiping them down with a soft brush at least once a month.3
Your Keys
You handle them every day, and yet, the thought of cleaning them likely never once crossed your mind. This really shouldn’t come as a surprise, but keys are germ magnets. They’re frequently used, they interface with a number of different locations throughout your home, car, and workspace, and they’re rarely ever cleaned.
Thankfully cleaning them is exceptionally easy. Simply fill a bowl with warm water, add a few drops of dish soap, and brush them to remove any dirt and debris. Once cleaned to your satisfaction, dry your keys with a towel to prevent rust.
You really should wash your keys on a weekly basis. More so if they’ve been handled by someone who was recently sick.4
Tea Kettle
Daily tea drinkers should force themselves to embrace another healthy habit: cleaning their tea kettle. Yes, tea kettles do get dirty.
Frequent use leads to the build up of water-borne minerals on the interior walls. Though the mineral buildup is safe, it’s far from tasteless.
Restore your daily cup by descaling your tea kettle every few months. Cleaning it is as simple as filling it with a solution made up of 50 percent water and 50 percent white vinegar, and bringing it to a boil. You can use a sponge or a soft bristled brush to wipe away any stubborn buildups before rinsing it with cool water.
Throw Blankets
We change out our bedding on a regular basis but, for some strange reason, we neglect our favorite Netflix-ready throws. That’s okay. Throw blankets are very easy to clean.
How to wash them depends on the type of material that they’re made of. Most of them will do fine in the washing machine with cold water selected. If you’re at all concerned about how it might handle a wash, play it safe and drop it off at your local dry cleaner.5
Reusable Shopping Bags
The grocery run is no longer over once the groceries are in their proper places. As great as they are for the environment, reusable shopping bags can be a bit of a germ trap. They do help you transport meat, produce, and dairy after all.
You should wash them every month or every time they interact with anything particularly germ heavy. All of them can easily be washed by hand with dish soap and warm water, though some can withstand the washing machine. Just check the label on the bag for specific instructions on how you should wash yours.6
Your Mattress
Maintaining the cleanliness of your bed should be a top priority. I mean, you spend enough of your time using it. Sadly, changing your bedding isn’t quite enough to keep the dust mites at bay. If you really want to win the war against your messy bed, you need to bring in the big guns.
You should wash your mattress at least twice a year. It’s not hard to do either. Simply strip the bedding, vacuum off the dust, and spot clean with soap and warm water. Finally, sprinkle the surface with baking soda and vacuum one more time.7
Conclusion
I bet you didn’t think your home was as dirty as it actually is. You can’t win them all. But, you can make a point to seek out and clean as many of the items on this list as possible.
Remember, your ability to overcome obstacles is always limited by the tools you have in your toolbox. So, stock your cupboards with a healthy supply of essential cleaning products and get to work purifying your home of any and all dirt.