Move beyond the usual swipe-and-sweep routine and prepare to do what experts refer to as”deep cleaning. “deep cleaning.” Please read our guide to deep-cleaning your living space, bathroom, kitchen appliances, and laundry.
Ah, Spring. Its longer days are a boon to sunshine…the ideal time to shine a spotlight on all the dirt and dust piling up within your home throughout winter. This is why, in a recent survey conducted across the nation led by the American Cleaning Institute, most people–77 percent–said they did some type or other form of spring clean-up.
But the majority aren’t sure if they’re doing the right thing or enough. A majority of people admit to having or haven’t washed their washers or aren’t sure if they’ve ever done it 41 percent of respondents don’t recall when they last cleaned the interior of their refrigerator a thorough cleaning.
Recycling bins and kitchen garbage weren’t adored also: Only 13 percent of people polled stated that they focus on the contaminated receptacles. These areas not cleaned regularly can hold many months or even years of bacteria and require the most thorough cleaning instead of the standard swab-down.
Check out our tested and approved strategies for dealing with some areas within your home that are frequently neglected, or need more attention to bring your cleaning to the highest level.
Deep Cleaning Your Living Room
Even if you wash regularly, dust and dirt tend to deposit themselves. It’s the moment to clean or dry clean window treatments and upholstery fabrics based on the care instructions. Next, tackle areas you typically avoid, beginning at the top of the room and going downwards.
CeilingsSweep through them using the telescoping microfiber wand to avoid those snagged corners.
Lighting Fixtures for chandeliers and pendants switch off the lighting fixtures and then spray 1 to 4 solutions of isopropyl alcohol and distillate water onto a clean, lint-free cloth. Wipe it clean, then use a dry cloth.
Ceiling fans: Slip an old pillowcase between each blade to catch dust while you wipe it off with an e-cloth sprayed with a dust-repellent such as the Endust.
Tips for Cleaning Windows
Clean windows during a day that is overcast because direct sunlight can dry out cleaning products too fast, leaving streaks.
Cleanse the glass with an ammoniated cleaner for windows as well as the use of a Microfiber cloth.
Turn in sashes. To get rid of mineral deposits on the exterior, spray with white vinegar and then follow by spritzing with water and some drops of dish soap similar to Dawn. Clean each surface with a distinct direction, so If there’s a streak, you can tell which side it is on. (If windows do not tilt in, cleaning them should be left to professionals.)
Remove screens. Make use of a stiff brush to take off loose debris. Clean using warm water as well as moderate dishwashing fluid. Remove debris from tracks using a stiff-bristle brush and a hand vac.
Heating elements: “If heat registers are dirty, take them out and put them in dishes,” suggests American Janitor Service owner Keith Goldstein. Regarding radiators, Goldstein recommends cleaning with a brush for radiators, followed by an abrasive dusting tool made of microfiber.
Walls: Dust across the base of your ceiling using microfiber cloths and a Swiffer, and tackle scratches with a magic Eraser. After that, gently sweep the walls using a Wet mop from Swiffer. First, put the mop into warm water to combat grease, then add some drops of gentle detergent.
Carpets Vacuum effectively treats stains in 1 to 5 solutions of 33% hydrogen peroxide and distilled water, along with just a few drops of dishwashing soap (spot-test first). Do you have pets? You can purchase a black flashlight–its ultraviolet wavelengths trigger Phosphorus molecules in old urine stains to shine in the dark. Treat with an enzyme cleanser like Nature’s Miracle. Steam clean or consult an expert if your carpets appear dirty.
Wood floors: Avoid dousing them with water. Use a mop made of microfiber and a spray for cleaning with a pH of 7, such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. Goldstein suggests applying a coat of paste wax every couple of years to make a waterproof finish, which will help liquids not build up.
How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen
Regularly clean the surface of cabinets using a 1-to-1 mixture consisting of distilled white vinegar and water. Cleanse the garbage disposal by running it through two tablespoons of rock salt, a few ice cubes, and lemon peel. Clean garbage bins using the hot soapy liquid beginning on the outside. After drying, spray with a deodorizer like Zero Odor Multi-Purpose spray. Clean the appliances inside and out, they’ll perform much better and last longer, according to Repair Clinic expert Chris Zeisler.
Oven: Tough, baked-on spills? They may need the use of a commercial oven cleaning product. Try this GE method to remove the crusty remnants: Put 1/2 cup of ammonia into an unintentional glass pan and place it in a cool oven for a night.
CooktopZeisler loves to tackle grease on the burners, caps, and grates using hot soapy water or a degreaser such as Fantastik and the nylon scrubber. To clean cooktops with glass, Goldstein swears by non-gel toothpaste and a Dobie Pad.
Vent-hood filter: Fill the bucket with 1 gallon of hot water. Then add one scoop of OxiClean laundry powder. Soak the filter for 10 minutes; rinse.
Refrigerators: Wipe down the inside door, gasket, and afghan using soapy, hot water mixed with a tablespoon of baking soda. To avoid gaskets getting stuck (and breaking in the middle), Zeisler suggests coating the edges thinly with petroleum jelly. Dust coils use an extended, flexible appliance-cleaning brush or a vacuum-brush attachment specifically designed for the job.
Dishwasher: Clear the debris discharge, clean the gasket channels with soapy water that is hot and hot, and then run a hot cycle. Zeisler loves Affresh Dishwasher Tablets for cleaning.
Deep Cleaning Your Bathrooms
Stains that are stubborn from limescale, rust, and mildew require specific treatment. Faucets to remove mineral deposits Goldstein recommends the application of lemon juice. “In most cases it dissolves the stains right away.”
Shower DoorsTo: To rid the room of cloudiness, apply a spray of undiluted white vinegar, then follow with a sponge dampened by water and then a couple of drops of dish soap.
Shower heads: To remove the scale, take a plastic bag and fill it with white vinegar, then attach it to the shower head using a rubber band so that the crown remains submerged for a night. Then, flush it out by flushing it with warm water. Remove the buildup using either a toothpick or a toothbrush.
DrainsOver the course of time, product and hair residues can create a black slime which causes drains to become slow. Sprinkle four tablespoons of baking soda, then add 2 cups of white vinegar. After the bubbling has stopped, you can flush it by boiling the water. Try a biodegradable enzyme drain cleanser such as Green Gobbler Dissolve.
Grout ToH’s Tom Silva brightens dingy grout by pouring vinegar directly onto grout lines. Use a stiff grout brush to scrub using a mixture of baking soda and water and a few drops of dishwashing detergent. Leave for 5 minutes and then wash again. Clean up using a sponge that is damp and rinse. Make sure to follow up using a grout sealing product.
Toilets: To nix rust stains, Pour two cups of vinegar into the bowl, then wait for 30 minutes before scrubbing. Beware of chlorine bleach, as it could cause rust staining.
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