You’re Not Cleaning These 15 Everyday Items And That’s a Big Problem

Everyone knows that keeping the home clean is important and you probably already have a regular cleaning schedule. But there are probably items and areas in your home that you have forgotten all about cleaning.

Many places and items that we use every day don’t get cleaned either at all or not often enough. Which is where this article comes in, because we’re going to identify all of those forgotten items and places so that you can live in a really clean home. Keep reading to find out more.

Why Is Cleaning So Important?

Before we get into specifics, let’s take a brief look at why it’s important to clean your home. Cleaning your home is important for your health, your hygiene and your mental well being.

A clean home improves air quality, reduces allergens, helps prevent the spread of germs which makes it a healthier, safer environment for everyone. It also creates a sense of order, reduces stress and boosts productivity by creating a better environment for relaxation and work.

15 Items & Places That You Probably Don’t Clean 

In reality, you probably keep your home as tidy as you can and when unexpected visitors arrive, you’re unlikely to need to do a mad tidy up before opening the door. However, there are probably many areas or items that you either don’t clean at all, or don’t clean often enough. They include;

1. TV Remote Controls

When was the last time you thought about cleaning your TV remote? You probably have never cleaned it since you first got that new TV. We recently had our remote stop working altogether and I had to take it apart to find out why it wasn’t working.

What I found was that the face of the remote was covered in so much mess and sticky gunk that the buttons couldn’t function. After a thorough clean using a toothbrush and disinfectant it works once more.

If you want your TV remote to continue working, give it a wipe over once a week with a disinfectant wipe. You might also want to advise family members to only use it with clean hands.

Did you know? The TV remote is often one of the dirtiest items in a typical household, even dirtier than the toilet seat!

2. Mobile Phones

In this technological age that we now find ourselves in, we all spend so much time on our mobile phones. With social media, checking out the web, texting and actual phone calls, most people are using their phones almost all day.

But when was the last time you thought to clean your mobile phone? Beyond wiping the screen so you can see through the greasy fingerprints, I’d guess that you’ve never actually cleaned your phone since the day you first got it.

If you take the cover off you’ll most likely find plenty of dirt and muck. You need to wipe it using a disinfectant wipe and be sure to get into all of the corners and grooves. Let it dry while you tackle the areas around the keys and ports using a toothpick.

You should clean the exterior of your phone daily and remove the case once a week to clean inside.

Quick tip: Avoid using harsh chemicals on phone screens. they can damage the protective coating. A lightly damped microfibre cloth works best.

3. Handbags

Most women carry a handbag every day, but do they ever get cleaned? Apart from throwing away random receipts and out of date mints and chewing gum, most women ignore actually cleaning their handbags.

But when you stop to think about it, the exterior of the bag gets exposed to any number of germs and bacteria every time the bag gets put down. Think about the state of floors on public transport or taxis.

Then once you get home, the bag gets put on kitchen counters, tables or floors. This spreads dirt, bacteria and germs all around your home.

You should wipe the outside down with a microfibre cloth dipped in soapy water or a disinfectant wipe once a week to keep the bacteria levels low. Treat the inside to a proper clean using a disinfectant wipe at the same time.

In future when you get home, don’t dump your bag on the first available surface, hang it on a hook.

4. Laptop/PC Keyboard

The PC or laptop is probably one of the most used items in your home. Many people stream films through their laptop, do office work, plan holidays etc.

How many times have you used your laptop or PC while eating, drinking or, and this is a bad one, sneezing? All of those food particles and germs end up either on the keys or between the keys.

You should spray the keyboard with compressed air once a week to remove any loose debris and anything stuck between the keys can be removed using a paintbrush or toothpick. You should then wipe the keys and flat areas using a disinfectant wipe.

If you use a shared computer at work, you should wipe it down every day to avoid collecting any unwanted germs or bacteria.

5. Light Switches

Everyone in the home uses the light switches at some point but how often do you give them a clean? You need to exercise some caution here because you’re dealing with electricity. So be sure to flip the circuit breaker off before you start cleaning all of the germs and bacteria as well as any visible dirt from your light switches.

Then use a dry toothbrush, toothpick, cotton bud and some cleaner to get the switch clean and germ free. Use the toothbrush to remove any dust or loose dirt, then use the cotton bud dipped in cleaner or disinfectant to get the switch hygienically clean.

If there are hard to reach dirty areas, use the toothpick to get into all of those nooks and crannies. Once finished, remember to add light switches to your weekly cleaning schedule and give them a wipe down with a disinfectant wipe every week.

6. Door Handles

Door handles are another high traffic area that get used multiple times every day. All you need is a microfibre cloth and some disinfectant to remove germs and bacteria from each door handle in your home. 

Then remember to give them a wipe with a disinfectant wipe once a week in future.

7. Toaster

When was the last time you actually remembered to clean your toaster? Every time you use your toaster, there are crumbs falling into the base. 

So, the first thing you should do is remove the slide out tray at the bottom of your toaster and remove all of the crumbs. Then unplug the toaster and use a dry paintbrush to loosen any crumbs that are stuck inside. Take care and only apply light pressure otherwise you could snap the heating wires and break the toaster.

Then move over to the sink and turn the toaster upside down and give it a gentle pat to shake out any remaining crumbs. Then wash the outside of the toaster with washing up liquid and warm water. Take care to not let any water get inside the toaster.

You should get into the habit of emptying the crumb tray and wiping the exterior after every use and giving it a good clean every month or so depending on how often it gets used.

8. Kitchen Exhaust Fan

The extractor fan above your cooker is a great help in keeping moisture levels down and reducing cooking smells in your kitchen. When was the last time you cleaned it? If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned it, now would be the right time.

Otherwise you’ll get a build up of grease, dirt, dust and other unwelcome items that cause bad smells to permeate throughout your home. Before you start, flip the circuit breaker off and then remove the screens and wash them in the sink or put them in the dishwasher.

You should then wipe down any surfaces you can get to using hot water, washing up liquid and white vinegar on a microfibre cloth.

In future you should clean the exhaust fan at least once a month or more if you cook using a lot of oil.

9.Bathroom Exhaust Fan

Your bathroom is the dampest room in your home. As your extractor fan draws moist air out of the room it makes any dust or lint stick to the fan cover and motor. Once this debris builds up enough it will start to affect the way the fan operates. 

You should vacuum the cover and wash off any dirt or dust after removing the cover. You can then wash the removable plastic cover in the sink. Then switch the circuit breaker off and try to clean the build up around the motor.

You can use a special attachment on your vacuum or even a small dry paintbrush to get to any hard to access places. If you vacuum the cover every week you will probably only need to clean the motor once a year.

10. Shower Curtain

You probably clean your shower and/or bath regularly but when did you last clean the shower curtain? If you’re honest you probably never have cleaned the shower curtain, you probably wait until it gets that black mould on it and then simply replace it.

But when you stop to think about it, every member of your family has been in that shower and had that shower curtain touch their dirty bodies. No matter how much you love your family, you don’t want to be sharing their dirt!

Depending on how many people live in your home, you should probably be cleaning your shower curtain on a regular basis. Most shower curtains can be thrown in the washing machine along with a few towels and either add a cup of baking soda or some oxygen bleach for extra cleaning power.

11. Dishwasher

This might seem a bit weird, washing the appliance that washes your dishes, but a dirty dishwasher is less likely to clean your dishes properly and more likely to break down. Food particles can get stuck in the filter, on the sides of the interior or even in the drainage hose or pump.

If your dishwasher has a filter, remove it and clean it under a fast running tap then give it a good scrub in a solution of hot water and washing up liquid. Check the drain and spray any holes to remove any remaining stuck on food.

Check the sprayers for any nozzle blockage and prise any foreign bodies out with a toothpick. Then once you’ve reassembled all of the components, run a hot wash cycle with a bowl of white vinegar placed on the top rack. Or you can use a commercial dishwasher cleaner if you prefer.

Once the cleaning cycle has finished, wipe the interior down with a disinfectant wipe and don’t forget about the door and door seal as well. You should repeat this cleaning regime once a month or more if your dishwasher gets used every day.

For more information on how to clean your dishwasher follow this link.

12. Pet Bowls

If you have pets you might have noticed a slight film forming on their bowls. This is a sure sign that you’re not cleaning them often enough. It’s caused by oils in their foods which build up over time.

That build up will start to smell which is a sign of bacteria being present. This could even be detrimental to the health of your pets. You should have at least two full sets of pet bowls, when one set is empty, throw them in the sink or dishwasher and use the second set.

This will prevent any unwanted filmy bacteria from forming and help to keep your pets healthy.

13. Washing Machine

Your washing machine is most probably the appliance in your home that does the most work and the one you rely on the most. The problem with washing machines and front loaders in particular is they have a tendency to get dirty.

It sounds wrong doesn’t it? The appliance that you use to clean your clothes gets dirty! But it’s true and you need to keep them clean if you expect them to continue working and clean your clothes properly.

You need to clean the washing machine’s filter which can be found at the bottom front of the machine. You should also clean the detergent dispenser drawer, the door and door seal and run a commercial washing machine cleaner through your machine on the hottest wash your machine has without putting any laundry in at least once a month.

For more information on how to clean a washing machine, follow this link.

14. Vacuum Cleaner

The vacuum cleaner is another appliance that you use to clean your home that also needs to be cleaned. All of the dirt and dust that comes into your home gets cleaned up by your vacuum cleaner. But for it to work properly, you need to keep it clean.

You should empty the dust bag or canister first and then turn the vacuum over and remove any hair or other debris from the roller. You might need to use a pair of scissors to get the hair off the roller.

Then wipe down the exterior of the vacuum and clean or replace the filters. From then on, you should empty the canister and clear the rollers after every use and check and replace or clean the filters every three months or so.

15. Refrigerator Water Dispensers

You know how the water catcher on your fridge’s water dispenser gets full of stagnant water that starts to smell? Well, that smell is bacteria and germs and if that’s not bad enough, think about the actual water dispenser itself.

You will need to consult your fridge’s user manual for the exact way to remove the water dispenser and give it all a good clean. This should be done at least once a month to ensure no harmful germs or bacteria contaminate your water dispenser.

Bonus Tips

That’s 15 everyday items that you’re probably not cleaning. If you enjoyed those, keep reading to find out about another 11. They include;

16. Dishcloths

You use your dishcloths to wipe up oils, fats, dirt and bacteria which all accumulates in the cloth. If the cloth is then left damp, it becomes a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Which means that the next time you use it you’re actually spreading more germs than you’re trying to clear!

You need to wash your dishcloth in hot soapy water after each use and hang it up to dry. Every three to four days you should wash your dishcloths in your washing machine on the hottest cycle the fabric will allow, but keep them separate from other wash items.

17. Mops & Brooms

You might start to notice a theme developing here, in order to keep your home clean, you need to clean the cleaning equipment. Let’s be honest we all lead busy lives and the last thing we’re thinking about is cleaning the mop.

But mops, brooms, sponges, cleaning cloths, rags and other reusable cleaning items are well known breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. Then when you reuse them, you’re spreading those germs all around your home.

You should swap all of your mops and cloths for microfibre ones that can be washed regularly in the washing machine between uses.

18. Curtains

You might not notice it but curtains collect dirt and dust as well as smells. You should clean your curtains every three months to prevent this from becoming a problem.

Check the care label because some curtains can only be dry cleaned but either way, they should be cleaned at least four times per year.

19. Rugs & Runners

Rugs, bath mats and kitchen runners collect plenty of dirt and dust every day. They need cleaning to ensure your home is clean and relatively germ free. Small rugs and runners should be washed at least twice a year but take care because you don’t want to damage their rubber backing.

If you’re worried that you might damage your rugs by washing them, try spot cleaning to remove any visible stains and consider replacing them with washable rugs.

20. Pillows

You’re probably washing your sheets and pillowcases regularly, but what about your pillows? Sweat, oils and dead skin cells can seep through pillowcases and get trapped in pillows. This can lead to dust mites living in your pillows.

If you have allergies dust mites can trigger them or make them worse. Simply throw your pillows in the wash every couple of months to prevent this from becoming a problem. However, you should check the care label on the pillows because different stuffings have different wash care needs.

21. Duvets & Comforters

If you use a top sheet and your duvet or comforter has a cover, you don’t need to wash them too often. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t need the occasional clean.

If your duvet or comforter has a cotton or synthetic filling and has a cover it should be washed at least once a month. If it is down-filled it should only need to be washed twice a year. But the cover should be washed every week along with your sheets.

22. Bathroom Towels

As we said earlier on in this article, bathrooms are one of the most damp rooms in any home. Which means anything made from fabric that’s stored in the bathroom is likely to get covered in mould or mildew.

Which is why towels should be washed regularly, bath towels should be washed after every three uses while hand towels should be replaced and washed daily to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.

Towels should always be washed on the hottest wash setting that they can withstand (consult the care label for more information).

23. Tea Towels

Although not as damp as the bathroom, the kitchen is another area where moisture is present. This can mean that tea towels never fully dry out between uses.

Which also means they have the potential to spread germs and bacteria. So you should ideally change and wash tea towels every two days or so.

24. Oven Gloves & Pot Holders

We all know just how useful these items can be. But how often do you think about washing them? Just like other fabrics, oven gloves and pot holders will have a care label which will tell you if they can be washed and at which temperature etc.

Aim to clean your oven gloves and pot holders at least four times per year or more if they get heavily stained.

25. Reusable Shopping Bags

Reusable shopping bags are a really useful item. They fold away after use and can be used time after time. But have you ever stopped to think about the amount of germs and dirt they collect during their frequent visits to and from the shops?

As long as they’re made from a material that can be washed, like canvas or nylon, these reusable bags can be popped in the washing machine whenever you feel they need it. We would recommend every couple of weeks or so to be on the safe side.

26. Laundry basket

You put all of your family’s dirty laundry in the laundry basket. That’s dirt encrusted, sweaty clothes which will all pass on some of their germs and bacteria onto the actual basket.

Over time those germs will build up and then you might put clean clothes back in the basket for convenience. You should aim to clean the laundry basket at least once a month using disinfectant wipes.

Make Clean Living A Habit, Not A Chore

Keeping your home clean goes beyond the obvious tasks, it’s the little things we overlook that can have the biggest impact on our health and wellbeing. By adding these often forgotten items to your regular cleaning routine, you’ll be creating a safer, fresher and more hygienic living environment for you and your family. 

The secret is to stay consistent. Tackle just a few items each week and you’ll soon find that a truly clean home isn’t just achievable, it becomes second nature. So, give your cleaning routine a refresh and start ticking off those neglected items today.

SEE ALSO: If your laundry comes out the washer dripping wet, check THIS immediately

Frequently Asked Questions

Also, follow us on Pinterest ...