7 Savvy Hacks for Cleaning Every Nook and Cranny of Your House
Cleaning the whole house takes a lot of effort and careful attention to detail. Distractions happen, however, and there is always something we forget to clean.
Unfortunately, those hidden nooks tend to cause problems when we leave them too long.
Thankfully, there are some convenient hacks that make these difficult-to-reach places easier to clean. These should serve as a reminder about things we often forget to clean and provide the means to include them in our rounds without costing too much extra time.
Disinfect Metal Surfaces
Most metal surfaces stick out, but we don’t always consider them dirty when they look clean. The metal surfaces in our homes carry viruses and certain bacteria for upwards of a week when we don’t tend to them.
Look for a surface cleaner that contains hydrogen peroxide. If you prefer to use your own cleaners, just dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide in 97% water. Any more than 3%, and you risk damaging the metal or ruining the color.
Check on Top of Tall Furniture
The tops of wardrobes and other tall furniture also tend to be neglected. Make sure you get up there and dust them with a feather duster or a dust buster before you clean anything else, as everything below it will get dirty as you go.
Once you’ve dusted the surface, go over it with a damp, warm cloth to clean any remaining debris.
Wipe Under Table Mats
A personal neglect of mine involves tablecloths and mats. In my mind, I assume that these protect the surface underneath from dust and dirt. Based on how the table looks after taking the tablecloth off, it does not protect it from dust at all.
Dust will still sneak underneath, so you need to take everything off the surface before you thoroughly clean your benches and tables with warm, soapy water.
Use a Toothbrush on Indented Tile Edges
Scrubbing the bathroom walls takes some time. For those of us with indented tiles, grime tends to build up in those nooks. The general scrubber can’t always get it all off.
Short of buying a chemical cleaner, the best way to get that grime out involves placing a baking soda and white vinegar paste over the area. Leave it there for about 15 minutes, then scrub with all you might using a toothbrush. You can use a reasonably cheap toothbrush, as the bristles are rougher.
Clean Furniture With Baking Soda
Do you find your sofa has a musty smell even after you’ve vacuumed it? Grime, like dead skin, dust, and dampness, tends to mix up on the surface. A vacuum cleaner can’t clean the combination.
Once you’ve vacuumed, pour a generous amount of baking soda over the sofa and leave it for around 20 minutes. The baking soda will absorb the excess moisture and release the odor simultaneously. Vacuum up the remaining baking soda and smell your clean sofa.
Utilize Your Vacuum Cleaner Spout for Corners
A typical vacuum cleaner attachment does not quite reach the corners of the rooms nor gaps between cupboards, wardrobes, etc. Simply remove that attachment and use the round vacuum spout to go over those corners, picking up any dust hiding right in the corner.
If you still see any dirt or grime, grab a damp cloth and wipe that up as well. Avoid wiping over any wooden surface that hasn’t been treated for waterproofing.
Clean Under the Fridge and Oven With a Hair Trap Cleaner
Is your vacuum cleaner too bulky to fit under the fridge or oven? Instead of taking the time to pull those appliances out, utilize a hair trap cleaner, also known as a zip tool.
You usually use a hair trap cleaner down the shower drain to pick up hair trapped inside. Since the tool extends quite far, you can easily fit it far enough under your oven and fridge to give the surface a good clean.
