You have just started turning your perfect beach home into an income generator. You think you’ve covered all the bases and the house is as spotless as it can be. But then, a guest noticed a dusty doorframe and mentions it in the review.
Even if you are not monetising your home, spending time on a spring clean only to find you’ve missed something can be quite frustrating. In this article, we take the stresses away from you by identifying 10 things that can be easily overlooked when we clean our homes. Have a look and see how many of these you have missed, and consider hiring house cleaners in Gold Coast, Sydney, or anywhere else in Australia.
1. Sliding door frame
The windows are polished to perfection. The frames have been carefully wiped clean but the bottom of the sliding door is filthy.
The best and fastest way to clean the sliding door frame is an old toothbrush and your vacuum cleaner. Use the toothbrush to loosen dirt and debris from the frame. Then vacuum it up. Then wipe clean and dry. Simple and effective.
2. Dishwasher
To keep your dishwasher in pristine condition, you should aim to clean it at least once every few months. Food debris and grease can be easily trapped inside your dishwasher and if you don’t remove these, they can clog up the machine and make it less efficient.
Here is how you clean your dishwasher:
- Clear the drain. Remove the bottom dish rack and inspect the dishwasher drain. Remove any food debris and gunk caught inside. This will improve the drainage and make your dishwasher more energy efficient.
- Vinegar wash. Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher safe bowl on the upper rack of the machine. Run the dishwasher through a hot cycle. The vinegar will remove grease and any unpleasant odours from your machine.
- Baking soda rinse. Sprinkle one cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher. Run a short hot cycle. The baking soda will clean and brighten the machine and leave it odour-free.
- Clean grease smudges on your dishwasher with baking soda. Simply sprinkle some baking soda on a non-scratch scouring pad and gently rub into the stain. Rinse with water, dry and polish with a soft microfibre cloth.
3. Toilet brush
When was the last time you examined the state of your toilet brush? If it is in poor shape, it’s time to replace it. Don’t even think of cleaning it. You should clean the toilet brush holder, though.
Put on a pair of gloves, steel yourself for the gross act and wash it with soap and water. Using a disinfectant spray on it regularly can also prevent cross-contamination. Bosisto’s has a good range of eucalyptus and lavender disinfectant spray that will not only kill the germs, it will leave the toilet smelling fresh and clean.
Here’s How to Clean Toilet Bowl Stains
4. Bathroom vents
Easy to overlook because we don’t look up to the ceiling when we are showering. A clogged vent is an energy drainer and a fire hazard.
Cleaning the vents in your bathroom is surprisingly easy. The next time you are vacuuming, fix the nozzle attachment to the vacuum and give the vents a good vacuum. You can also use an extendable microfibre duster to do the job.
When showering, be sure to turn on the exhaust fan in your bathroom. Ideally, you should leave it for 30 minutes after showering to ensure that all steam has been removed.
5. Stove and oven controls
Stove and oven controls can become grimy and greasy. A kitchen spray is a handy cleaning solution to include in your next grocery shopping list. If the stains are stubborn, try sprinkling some baking soda on a non-scratch scouring pad and gently rub the controls and switches until they are cleaned. Rinse with water and wipe clean. Buff with a microfibre cloth for the perfect shine.
6. Light switches and power sockets
Light switches and power sockets tend to get overlooked when we clean our homes. All they need is a quick wipe with a damp cloth.
7. Remote controls
Remote controls and consoles get a lot of use at home but very little TLC. Because they are passed around so much, they are the perfect way to transfer harmful germs and bacteria around your home.
To clean and disinfect your remote controls, use a disinfectant wipe or a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol.
8. Skirting
When we vacuum or mop the floors, we usually don’t pay any attention to the skirting. Skirting can accumulate dust and dirt easily. Cleaning the skirting as easy as wiping it down with a damp cloth. To maintain your skirting, remember to dust over it the next time you are dusting the house.
9. Coffee machine and electric jug
Coffee machines are expensive investments. To ensure their longevity and performance, you will need to spend some time cleaning them. Stale coffee left on the machine can affect the taste of the brew.
Believe it or not, coffee is an oily bean. If you have a fancy espresso machine, you will need to clean the group handles, group head and bean hopper. Refer to our special features on cleaning coffee machines for a step-to-step guide on how to clean your coffee machine.
Your electric kettle or jug will need regular descaling to remove limescale. Limescale is unsightly, power-draining and can affect the taste of the water you boil. You can buy a store-bought ‘descaler’ for this purpose. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely. Alternatively, you can use white vinegar, baking soda or lemon juice. Simply fill the jug with water and vinegar, baking soda or lemons and bring to the boil.
Here are some Simple Tips to Clean Your Kitchen Appliances
10. Curtains and blinds
We remember to steam clean the carpet, but we forget about our curtains and blinds. Fortunately, the curtain does not trap dust and dirt unless you have a heavy fabric like velvet, or you live in a dusty environment. To clean curtains, simply vacuum them with a nozzle attachment. Net curtains can be placed directly into the washing machine. Select a gentle wash and throw in a few old towels to act as a scrubber.
The best way to clean vertical and horizontal blinds is to take them from their frame and soak in the bathtub with a little dishwashing detergent and baking soda. A quick dust of your blinds when you are dusting will keep it free of dirt so your next big cleaning project will be a lot simpler!
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