10 Things You’re Probably Not Cleaning — and Why You Should

Be it the kitchen sink, bathroom vanity or family bathtub, now’s the time to ease the strain on those drains. By regularly removing food particles, hair and soap scum (yuck), you’re ensuring bigger clogs — that cost big bucks to deal with — don’t happen down the road.

Fans are a godsend in the summertime and smart way to move around heat in the winter, but they’re also fantastic at flinging built-up dust, grime, pollen and other allergens around a room. Take the time to climb up and regularly wipe down the blades and body with a gentle disinfectant.

When a room isn’t properly ventilated and air flow is limited, it can lead to dust, dust mites and cobwebs really building up on the wall, which can affect allergies and asthma. Start regularly wiping them down with a sponge and a simple-yet-effective cleaning solution of warm water and clear dish soap.

In a busy household, baseboards get a real beating, from muddy soccer cleats in the front hall to greasy spaghetti-sauce splashes in the kitchen. Once a month, get down on their level and give them a thorough wipe down. Not only will removing accumulated grime leave a healthier home, but it also gives a room a visual boost.

If you have glass shower doors, chances are you’re not cleaning them often enough. Squeegeeing them after each shower is a great start but, to prevent soap scum build-up and mould, these doors should be cleaned with glass cleaner every two days.

We’ve all become way more conscious of touching (or not touching) public doorknobs over the past two years, but are you taking the same consideration in your own home? Disinfect all door handles and light switches twice a week to help prevent the spread of viruses inside the house.

Salmonella, Listeria, and E-Coli are just a few of the unpleasant bacteria that could be lurking inside your garbage bin. So when you take out the trash, be sure to sanitize the bin and let it dry before a new bag goes in.

Water minerals, soap residue and detergent ingredients can all work together to create a bacteria-trapping film inside your washing machine. Once a month, use a washing machine cleaner or a solution of hot water and vinegar to wash away that buildup and keep your machine running smoothly.

Grease, wet food bits and soap scum create a breeding ground for germs, which is the last thing you want in an appliance that’s designed to clean the items you eat off of. If you’re using it daily, once a month you should clear out the drain and run a hot cycle with a cup of white vinegar in the top rack.

While drapes, curtains and blinds are brilliant at pulling together a room design-wise, they also attract dust, dander and mould spores. The method of cleaning depends on the fabric, so be sure to follow the recommendations for each. (Although all fabric can benefit from a good shake and few hours in the bacteria-killing sunshine.)