All kinds of things like bacteria, mold and more can grow in hiding places you forget to clean.
Items you use every day might get overlooked when doing your weekly cleaning.
Sure, you remember big things like vacuuming and whipping down the counters, but what about the little things that sit around your home or aren’t in plain sight?
Here are 7 things you definitely don’t clean enough.
Photo by PlanetCare on Unsplash
Table of Contents
Remote Controls
After a long day, you might sit on the couch and click on your favorite shows.
Years can go by without even considering the remote gets dirty since many people touch it with your hands after eating your favorite snacks.
You can simply wipe it with a disinfectant wipe or thoroughly clean using toothpicks and toothbrushes dipped in a disinfectant cleanser to remove all the dirt and bacteria.
It’s optional to deep clean it every time, but getting it fully cleaned a few times a year will do.
Purse
You may carry a purse everywhere to transport your essential items.
Throwing away old receipts and gum wrappers is different than cleaning the bag.
Think about all the places it goes and where it gets set down.
The exterior surface can get dirty after being placed on tables, benches, and counters.
When you pick up the purse again, germs get transferred from there to your car seat and wherever else you set it.
Wipe the outside of your purse with a microfiber cloth or disinfectant wipe and try not to set it on areas like the kitchen counter when you get home.
The bacteria that colonize on handbags can lead to serious issues like staph infections, ear infections and more.
Clean your purse weekly or more and wipe the inside and handle with a disinfectant wipe.
Microwave
Food particles can damage and build in the microwave.
If you don’t use a covering, food can splat onto the interior of your appliance.
You might forget to clean it up due to the excitement of your food being ready.
It is best to clean your microwave at least once a week.
Put a bowl of water in your microwave for a few minutes to get it warm and steamy.
This will loosen anything stuck to the walls and make it easier to wipe it out with a paper towel.
Washing Machine
Washing machines typically do the washing, so you might not realize they must also be cleaned.
The detergent doesn’t do enough to clean the actual washer.
It can accumulate dirt and grime from dirty clothes, leftover detergent, mold and more.
Over time your washing machine might not perform as well because of the build-ups.
There are a couple of ways to clean your washing machines, such as washing machine cleaner tablets, vinegar and baking soda, bleach and peroxide.
These can be used with most washing machines, so choosing the right one will depend on orders and messes in the machine.
The washing machine cleaner tablets are the most straightforward by placing them in the tub and running your washer on an entire cycle.
Toilet Brush
The toilet brush is another item that is supposed to be doing the cleaning.
However, it is going in the toilet, so it should be getting a cleaning of its own.
Spray the bristles, brush and handle with disinfecting spray after every few cleanings.
Let it sit briefly to lift the bacteria and turn your shower hot to rinse it off.
You will also want to give your tub a good cleaning after this too.
Phones and Personal Electronics
Between social media, work and online shopping, most people spend a good amount of time on their phones and computers during the day.
You might not remember the last time you cleaned a laptop or phone.
This means more than wiping off the screen but also getting into the corners and crevices under your case.
Use a toothpick or small brush to remove any grime around buttons and ports gently, then wipe the exterior down with a microfiber cloth.
You can wash your cover with dish soap to completely disinfect it.
Clean the exterior of your phone every day and other surfaces every week.
Bathroom Walls Around Toilet
One of the most disgusting surfaces you should clean is the walls around your bathroom.
You might dread cleaning the toilet and any bathroom section, but it is an important area to clean.
Try tackling this spot with a loved one to make it feel like less of a chore.
Scrub the walls with disinfectant because toilet flush can spray particles into the air.
Once you have that information in your brain, you can never stop visualizing it.
Although disinfectant is not the best for the paint, you can always add a fresh coat in the future.
Remember to close the toilet lid before you flush.
