Have you ever had a Monica Geller cleaning moment? The kind when you feel like it might be time to vacuum your vacuum?
Welcome to the cult.
First, you are totally normal. Promise.
Getting the itch to do an obscene level of deep cleaning is healthy. Downright admirable, if you ask me.
But when your inner Monica strikes and you want to make the most of it, there are some little-known places in your home that should definitely make your hit list.
Ready?
Big Appliances
Behind their shiny exteriors and impressive-functionality, big appliances are a host to germ asylums.
The key to exploring these places is to bring a few tools with you; some light disassembly and reassembling is required. But don’t worry, it’s actually quite easy and oh-so satisfying when finished.
❗ IMPORTANT
- Always check your appliance manuals for specific cleaning and maintenance instructions.
- Unplug appliances when you are planning to take them apart.
CLEANING Refrigerator CONDENSER COILS
Each refrigerator contains condenser coils used to cool the refrigerant and expel hot air from the refrigerator until it reaches the desired temperature. Usually located along the base or back of the refrigerator, the thin, wavy design of condenser coils, coupled with static electricity that builds up while in use make condenser coils a perfect space for debris, dirt, and pet hair to collect. Even with diligent and routine cleaning, condenser coils will still collect an obscene amount of debris and should be cleaned once per year.
First, unplug your refrigerator and move it away from the wall so that you can access the coils. Enlist the help of a friend and use cardboard or linens to protect your flooring. Remove any panels that are covering the coils. Clean your refrigerator’s condenser coils using a vacuum or a hand cloth. Return the panels and, while you’re at it, clean out any debris from underneath the refrigerator.
CLEANING AN Oven DOOR
Get this: Your oven door comes off, right? But you probably haven’t ever taken it completely off because it feels like you’re going to open Pandora’s Box. But taking your oven door off is precisely how you get to those inner drips and spots that taunt you as you wipe down the outside door. The whole process is a little involved, but Family Handyman has some great tips to achieving a great clean.
Cleaning Your Dishwasher
Yup, cleaning your dishwasher makes the hit list. Unfortunately, a dishwasher does not get clean when your dishes get clean. Food particles find there way into crevices all over the dishwasher and water build up creates eventual discoloration.
To bring your dishwasher back to life, hit these spots:
- Dishwasher Screen
- Sprayer Arm Ports
- Door Lip
Then add a dishwasher cleaner, NOT bleach (bleach will damage the metals), and run a full cycle (not quick cycles).
Cleaning a Washing Machine
Like a dishwasher, cleaning clothes does not clean the machine. Once a month run a hot water load with bleach. With front loading machines, be sure to clean the rubber door seal as the settled water makes a great home for smelly mold to grow.
Cleaning Your Dryer
Built up lint can be detrimental to a dryer, dryer vent, and possibly your home. Dryer lint build up is very flammable, so make sure to clean out the lint filter as well as open up your dryers top and front panels to remove lint trapped around the motor. This should be done every few months.
Small Appliances
Small appliances might be getting cleaned more often because it is easier to see when they get dirty. Nevertheless, smaller appliances should be intently cleaned regularly to ensure they are getting clean. A surface level wipe down is great, but have you seen your toasters crumb tray??
Garbage Disposal
First and foremost, clean under the splash guard. All sorts of gunk builds up under the splash guard and creates lingering odor. Commercial cleaners work great, but an all-natural option is to add ice, lemon rinds, grinding, then adding baking soda, and rinse with cleaning vinegar and water.
Microwave
Ahem…see our post about that here. The best time for a deep microwave clean it is when you see the mess happen. Clean and freshen the microwave up by steaming vinegar in it.
Toaster
Remember that crumb tray we talked about? Slide it out from under your toaster to clean it off and then shake out your toaster over the trash can to get rid of any more crumbs.
Vacuum
Step 1: Empty your vacuums dirt canister. Done? NOPE! To deep clean your vacuum, start by rinsing your vacuums filter. Make sure to completely remove the filter and be careful to never apply liquid products to vacuum parts that connect to electrical outlets. After cleaning out any vacuum filters, tackle the motorized brush head by removing hairs and fibers.
High Traffic Places
Think of places you are touching or using regularly, these places accumulate build up just by existing. If the have a power button, they do not need to be on to accumulate grime. Not necessarily little-known places, but definitely places that are not thought of as often.
Kitchen Range Hood Filter
Each kitchen range comes with a filter that captures smoke, grease and debris to prevent them from getting into the ventilation system. Unclean hood filters release unpleasant odors that give your home a sour kitchen smell. To clean kitchen range filters use a substantial degreaser. Think heavy duty. First, take a peak under your range hood and pop your kitchen filter(s) out. Next, clean with the degreaser, air dry, and them put them back. Simple, satisfying and oh-so worth it!
Bath Fan Grill
Bath fan filters are ideal homes for dust because of their moist and humid climate. Grills are easy to pop out by pulling down one edge and squeezing the springs to release them. If the filter contains a light, it may have wiring with a release tab to disconnect it. Once out, clean a lightless cover in the sink with warm water, some dish soap, and a scrub brush.
Shower Curtain
Shower curtains are excellent places for mildew to thrive, but easy places to clean. In a spray bottle, mix 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda then spray the curtain generously and wipe it down. This will clean and deodorize the shower curtain, however you can add 10 drops each of eucalyptus and tea tree oil for added deodorizing.
Computer Keyboard
Every couple of months use a can of compressed air to get all the crumbs out from in between the keys. Follow this up with a cotton swab dabbed in rubbing alcohol. Cleaning your keyboard regularly stops germs and your keys from sticking.
Trash Can
Once a month after removing the trash bag wash out your trash can with bleach and hot water to kill germs and deodorize. On a more regular basis, spray the can with disinfectant every time you remove a bag.
Schedule It!
We get it, we just added a lot to your to do list. Look at the four categories and tackle one a month and you will always have a clean home. Boasting rights aside, making sure to clean the little-known places in your home that need cleaning also creates a healthier home. Removing built up debris and dust removes the possibility of that grim getting into your homes air and harming your family.