Articles and Advice

Clean These Parts Of Your Home (Because You Probably Forgot Them)

Make sure your cleaning is worth the effort by catching these often-missed spots.

If you're like most people, cleaning your home is likely not your favorite activity, but the alternative can present a variety of health problems. Hidden dirt, grime, and mold that builds up in unexpected places create germs that can make you and your family sick. Take a look at eight places in your home that should not be overlooked.

Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans collect a thick buildup of dirt and dust, especially if you don't run them for a while. If you have a ceiling fan in your kitchen, you may find a layer of oily grime that builds up from gas appliances. If you can't remove the blades, cover items below the fan, then use a duster and a damp soapy rag to remove buildup.
Doors and Door Handles
When it's time to clean, doors and door handles are often overlooked. Whether your doors have a wooden or painted finish, you should dust them regularly, especially the top of the doors where dust collects. Door handles are germ magnets, so they should be cleaned with mild soapy water or a special cleaner that protects the finish.
Carpets and Rugs
What's lurking in your carpets and rugs is a variety of nasty things that can make you sick. In addition to dirt and dust, you may find mold if you live in a humid climate, pollen from outdoor air, and pet dander that causes allergic reactions. Even more disgusting, you may find microscopic insects like dust mites that shed skin and fecal matter.
Kitchen Appliances
Due to daily meal prepping and cooking, your kitchen is a room that's full of germs. Your stove and oven contain spilled food and grease, your refrigerator contains old food, and your dishwasher is full of food debris. Kitchen appliances, including small appliances like microwave ovens, toasters, and coffee pots should be cleaned frequently to prevent a buildup of unhealthy bacteria, mold, and mildew.
Bathroom Fixtures
Bathroom toilets, bathtubs, showers, sinks, and fixtures should be thoroughly cleaned with bleach or special bathroom cleaners at least once a week. Remove soap scum from shower doors with a glass cleaner, throw your shower curtain in the washer with detergent and a cup of baking soda, and don't forget to clean your toothbrush holders, a perfect place for bacteria to hide.
Washers and Dryers
Washers and dryers are breeding grounds for mold and mildew due to dampness and poor ventilation. For your safety, fill the bleach dispenser in the washer with bleach and run a cycle with hot water every two months. Check your dryer and make sure the exhaust duct is properly vented and cleaned at least once a year by a professional.
Computer Keyboards
According to health experts, 44% of people don't clean their computer mouse and keyboard. Studies show that 42% of computer keyboards are crawling with a type of bacteria known as "gram-positive cocci," known to cause illness. Cleaning your mouse and keyboard regularly with a disinfectant will kill germs and keep you healthy.
Trash Cans
Although your indoor trash cans hold daily trash, they can get a buildup of food particles, grease, and stinky odors if you don't clean them. Once every week or two, take your trash cans outside, rinse them out with a hose, and clean them with a long-handled brush and a mixture of warm water and white vinegar to eliminate bacteria, mildew, and foul odors.

When cleaning your home, don't overlook places where bacteria and germs easily hide. Protect your family's health by paying attention to heavily used items and surfaces often forgotten.

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Clean These Parts Of Your Home (Because You Probably Forgot Them)

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