When carrying out a spring clean, there are many parts of our home that can get overlooked. Cleaning these spots isn’t just important for keeping your home looking presentable – it could be essential for your safety and wellbeing. Below are 10 examples of parts of our home that many of us forget to regularly clean.
HVAC
HVAC systems can get dirty over time and this filth can end up being pumped out into the air we breathe, as well as reducing the efficiency of our HVAC system. If your HVAC is giving off an odd smell or taking longer to heat/cool, it may need cleaning. Filters should ideally be replaced every 1 to 3 months, while coils should be cleaned annually. Ducts should meanwhile be cleaned every few years.
Gutters
Blocked gutters can cause water to spill out over the side. This water can end up damaging your home’s foundations. It’s worth carrying out gutter cleaning at least once per year (consider cleaning out your gutter at the end of Fall when they are most likely to be clogged with fallen leaves).
Roofing
Moss, algae and dirt can accumulate on roofs over time. This doesn’t just make your home look less attractive, but can actually encourage many roof materials to decay. This is why it’s worth getting your roof cleaned every couple years.
Refrigerator
When was the last time you cleaned your refrigerator? Ideally it should be cleaned every three to six months to get rid of sticky messes or crumbs that could be breeding bacteria. Consider also occasionally cleaning behind your fridge – this is a common place for mold growth.
Dryer
Build-ups of lint in dryers can not only reduce your dryer’s efficiency, but potentially be a fire risk. This is why it’s important to regularly clean out lint from vents. Some freestanding dryers will collect lint in a tray and warn you when this needs to be removed.
Washing machine
You may not think you need to clean the inside of your washing machine, but in fact you occasionally do. Gunk can build up in the seals, which can start to smell and affect the cleaning quality of your laundry. Consider doing this every 1 to 3 months.
Microwave
Microwaves can often get splattered with food while heating up meals. If you use your microwave regularly, you should ideally be cleaning it once per week. This guide explains how to clean a microwave.
Door handles
We touch door handles all the time – but how often do they get cleaned? Wiping door handles down every so often can prevent them becoming breeding grounds for bacteria.
Light switches
Light switches also need to be regularly cleaned. Eventually they can become visibly dirty, at which point they are likely to be covered in germs. Wipe these down as you are wiping down door handles.
Digital devices
Finally, it’s important to consider our digital devices. We touch our phone every day – sometimes while using the toilet. But many of us rarely clean our smartphone screen. This should be done every day. Make sure to also clean tablets, laptops and desktop keyboards.
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