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a stovetop gets a deep srubbing

10 Things You Should Clean More Often

Even if you’re a self-proclaimed clean freak, there’s a good chance you’re not actually cleaning everything you should be in your home. Dirt and bacteria can accumulate in some of the most unthinkable places, causing your family to get sick or sour smells to linger. In case you’re not sure exactly where to start, here’s a quick rundown of the ten things you should start cleaning more often.

  1. Refrigerator

    Every six months, you should take everything out of your fridge and give it a good cleaning. You’re guaranteed to find a few spills that went unnoticed, among other messes. You should also clean out the refrigerator coils every six months to keep everything running efficiently.

  2. Washer/Dryer

    You would think that your detergent would keep things clean inside your washer, but unless you’re washing a load of clothes with hot water and bleach, you still need to give it an extra cleaning. Run a cup of vinegar through the warm cycle once a month to neutralize odors and keep the pipes clean. For the dryer, simply clean out the lint trap after every one or two loads.

  3. Bottom of Toilet

    Hopefully you’re already scrubbing your toilet at least once a week or every other week. But take a look at the bottom of your toilet, and you’ll most likely find a bunch of dust and other nasty surprises. Thankfully, this part of the toilet doesn’t need to be cleaned as often as the rest, but it’s important to keep an eye on it and clean when needed.

  4. Kitchen Sink

    Did you know that kitchen sinks have more E. coli than toilets? Think about all the dirty dishes you wash in the sink, and it’s not hard to imagine all the bacteria taking refuge in such a wet environment. Clean it with a disinfectant spray after each time you finish washing dishes.

  5. Bedding

    Washing your sheets and pillowcases is a no-brainer; but what about your pillows and comforter? Think about all the sweat and oils that seep into your pillowcase each night. Pillows should be washed every three to six months. To keep them fluffy, throw a couple of clean tennis balls into the dryer with them. Depending on the instructions on your comforter’s tag, wash your comforter on the gentle cycle, or take it to the dry cleaners every six months.

  6. Dishwasher

    Just like the washer, you may think that the dishwasher stays clean because of its detergent. But food and crumbs can get caked in the crevices of a dishwasher. And just like the washer, the best way to clean the dishwasher is to add a cup of vinegar and run a hot cycle.

  7. Carpet

    Vacuuming is an essential part of keeping a house clean, but it doesn’t get out all of the dust and dirt from the carpet. Just think about all the nasty things trapped in there. Carpets should be steam cleaned once or twice a year to keep your carpet as clean as possible.

  8. Door Knobs and Light Switches

    If you have children, you know how sticky little ones’ fingers can be. Even if you don’t have kids, you should still be cleaning your door knobs and light switches with disinfectant regularly. This is one of the worst places to be overlooked when cleaning.

  9. Remote Control

    Just like with door knobs and light switches, think about all the grease, oils, and bacteria on remote controls. How many times have you flipped through channels while snacking? This is probably the easiest household item to clean out of all the ones you overlook. Simply wipe your remote down with a disinfecting wipe every so often.

  10. Couches

    Your couch is probably harboring enough crumbs to make a meal. If you have an animal in the house, the situation could be a lot worse. Flip your couch cushions once a month and vacuum. You could be surprised by what you find in there.

Last Updated: March 23, 2015