Cleaning and maintaining a clean space is, let’s be honest, a lot of hard work. And more often than not, we miss or totally forget about a couple of tasks. When last did you clean the dishwasher or rubbish bin in the kitchen?
We talk about the top 10 most forgotten monthly cleaning tasks you shouldn’t be forgetting to do, and tips to help make cleaning them easier.
Monthly cleaning tasks most people forget
1. The kitchen sink
You might think that the sink, of all places, should be the cleanest, regardless of the monthly task. Think again. Sinks are full of crevices and corners that are the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. You’ll be surprised at how much grime comes out of corners, around the drain, around the tap, and any joints and edges that you usually wipe over.
What to do: Ensure you’re thoroughly scrubbing the sink with hot, soapy water, drying it and finishing with a disinfectant spray at least once a month.
2. The dishwasher
Okay, but if the dishes and cutlery come out sparkling, the dishwasher itself must be clean too, right? Wrong. Dishwashers are miracle workers for anyone who owns them, but they need regular cleaning and maintenance in order for them to keep up with the sparkle. Their drains and arms are susceptible to clogging up with bits of food and grease, not to mention the racks and soap dispenser also getting covered in food gunk and soap scum buildup.
What to do: Empty the dishwasher fully, even the racks. Remove the drain coverings and arms, and soak in hot, soapy water. Use a soft-bristle brush to gently unclog and scrub clean. Use the same technique to scrub the racks. Before returning everything, remove any food bits from the bottom of the dishwasher. Finally, sprinkle a cup of bicarb in and around, pop a dishwasher tab in the dispenser, and let it run empty on a hot cycle. For stubborn grease, add 1/2 cup of distilled vinegar to the mix before cleaning.
3. Kitchen cabinets and walls
The cabinets and walls may seem clean and clear, but once you touch them, you’re left with a grimy, sticky mess. This is inevitable and results from the combination of steam and grease from cooking.
What to do: Use hot, soapy water to scrub and wipe these areas.
4. Cutlery drawer and crockery cabinets
Even though these places only see clean dishes coming and going, there’s always a strange buildup of grime, dust and other stuff.
What to do: Each month, remove all cutlery and crockery and wipe down the surfaces with hot, soapy water or a disinfectant spray.
5. The oven and microwave
We’ve all been there, leaving the oven and microwave alone, thinking the heat is enough to keep them clean. However, the heat does the exact opposite and makes for the perfect environment for harmful bacteria to grow. It’s not enough to wipe these places down after every use; they need a deep clean at least once a month.
What to do: The best time to clean these is after they’ve been used and still warm – it helps get the grime off easily. Use an oven cleaner or paste to scrub onto all interior surfaces. Let it sit for 5 minutes to an hour, depending on how dirty the area is, and then wipe clean with hot, soapy water.
6. Tile grout
Tiles everywhere in the house need some TLC every once in a while, especially those that often see heat and water. There are great commercial grout cleaners on the market you can use to scrub them clean, including antibacterial and mould sprays to finish off with. Or, a simple mixture of equal parts bicarb and water makes an easy DIY grout scrub. Pay close attention to the backsplash in kitchens and sinks, and corners in the bathroom.
What to do: Scrub tile grout with a product of your choice, rinse, dry and finish with an antibacterial/mould spray.
7. Floor and ceiling corners
The vacuum cleaner and mop can only get so far. The corners of floors and ceilings are major culprits of forgetful tasks, not to mention cobwebs and dust bunnies.
What to do: Use a small broom to sweep out corners and hard-to-reach places of floors and ceilings. Use an old or designated cloth to wipe the area clean with hot, soapy water.
8. Vacuum cleaner & mop
Speaking about them, your vacuum cleaner and mop need a deep clean themselves. Follow manufacturers instructions for cleaning your vacuum cleaner (or find a helpful video on YouTube). Ensure that the Robin to its Batman also gets the special deep-cleaning treatment – deep-clean the mop and bucket.
What to do: Follow instructions for the vacuum, ensuring all the filters and add-ons are clean and unclogged. Disinfect the mop with a simple bleach and water solution, or, if the mop bristles are removable, wash them in the washing machine. Dry the mop thoroughly before next use. Scrub the mop bucket with hot, soapy water, ensuring any soap scum or buildup is cleaned.
9. The spaces under furniture
Dust bunnies and grime unite under the spaces of furniture. Yes, we’re talking about under the couch, TV cabinet, bed, etc. Ensure that you take the time to vacuum and mop underneath these areas. When forgotten, dust bunnies, grime, and dander can spread to the rest of the house, making it feel perpetually dusty.
What to do: Move furniture, vacuum, mop, and finish with a disinfectant spray to keep dust at bay.
10. The washing machine
Yet another tool that is a blessing, the washing machine. It sure does a great job at lifting stains and keeping our clothes and linen clean, but it usually doesn’t get the same treatment. If left uncleaned, the soap dispenser or drawer starts collecting soap scum, which can cause mould and bacteria to grow (making it even harder to clean). Not to mention the crevices of the drum and seals of the door – they can get really nasty if left to their own devices.
What to do: If you can, remove the soap dispenser and scrub with hot, soapy water. For stubborn spots, make a bicarb and water paste to scrub on and leave for a few minutes. Rinse with distilled vinegar. Do the same for the door seals. Then, run on a hot, empty cycle with a cup of distilled vinegar.
Granted, housework is a lot to keep up with, but all the scrubbing and routine maintenance is definitely worthwhile! Tackle one or two extra jobs each month to ensure your living space is clean and healthy!
Also See: The dirtiest places in the kitchen: 5 sneaky culprits you’re probably overlooking
The dirtiest places in the kitchen: 5 sneaky culprits you’re probably overlooking
