When's the last time you cleaned your toothbrush holder? What about your remote controls or the inside of your trash bin? There are so many places in the home that are easy to overlook when it comes to cleaning, so consider this your reminder to go de-grime them right now! Here are the top 30 forgotten spots and how to clean them.
THE KITCHEN
1. Refrigerator doors and handles Guys, your refrigerator’s doors and handles are one of the dirtiest places in your whole house. Yup. Wipe them down with Surface Cleaner and a Lint-Free Cleaning Cloth daily, and be sure to clean the inside frequently, too. Learn how. 2. The oven hood For heavy grease, dissolve two capfuls of All-Purpose Bleach Alternative in a bucket of hot water and scrub with a Scrub Brush. In between, clean with Surface Cleaner and Lint-Free Cleaning Cloth. 3. Drawers They’re always full of stuff, so we typically don’t realize how much of a catchall they are for crumbs and random debris. Clear them every few weeks and give them a thorough wiping with Surface Cleaner. (This will also encourage you to purge your stuff and avoid junk drawers from getting too… well, junky.) 4. Beneath appliances Sweep to collect food, dust bunnies, and other unidentified randomness, then mop with 2 capfuls of All-Purpose Cleaning Concentrate and 2 quarts hot water, a concoction that’s safe for all floor types. For a streak-free finish on Pergo flooring, mix ¼ cup of Scented Vinegar with 1 gallon of water and mop to a high shine. 5. The coffeemaker and tea kettle You may not see it, but these appliances get icky inside fast! Get our step-by-step cleaning guide here. 6. Backsplashes and the fronts and insides of cabinets Wipe away oil, grease, and cooking splatters with Surface Cleaner and a Lint-Free Cleaning Cloth. (FYI, we opt for cloths over paper towels to cut down on waste and to avoid the pulpy residue paper towels leave behind.) 7. Dishwasher The thing that cleans your dishes needs a detox every now and again, too. Learn more. 8. Reusable glass containers Yay for being sustainable! Reusable containers are sometimes tricky to keep clean, stain-free, and smelling fresh. Soak glass containers with hot water and 1 capful of All-Purpose Bleach Alternative for an hour or up to overnight to remove stains before running through the dishwasher, or hand washing with Dish Detergent.
THE BEDROOM
9. Mattresses Even if you have a mattress pad or cover on your bed, your mattress still needs cleaning because dust mites, perspiration, dead skin cells, body oils, and residue from pets can weasel their way through. Gross, right? Read our easy how-to, then get your All-Purpose Bleach Alternative, Wash & Stain Bar, and Fabric Fresh Classic ready. 10. Down comforters and pillows Our Wool & Cashmere Shampoo was specially formulated for natural fibers like down, so you can wash your comforters and duvets at home. It only involves a few simple steps. 11. Ceiling fan blades A good dust-lifting cloth like our Lint-Free Cleaning Cloths will latch onto particles with a few gentle swipes. For extra-heavy buildup, spritz with Surface Cleaner to remove any dirt marks, then polish with a clean section of cloth. 12. Air Purifiers Keep yours chugging along and working to its best ability by cleaning its filter!
THE BATHROOM
13. Shower curtains and liners Because water is hitting them daily (oftentimes a few times daily), they’re prone to buildup and mildew. It’s smart to clean them once a month. Here’s how to do it. 14. Makeup brushes Makeup, oil, and bacteria accumulates on your makeup brushes with each and every use, and not cleaning them can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and more. The good news is you can use solutions you may already have at home (like our Wool & Cashmere Shampoo!) to give them a fresh start. Get our method. 15. Toothbrush holders and hand soap dispensers Wash them out with some Dish Detergent, a Dish Brush, and hot water. For stubborn toothpaste residue, soak with All-Purpose Bleach Alternative and hot water for a couple of hours. 16. Bath mats We recommend cleaning these guys as often as you do your hand and bath towels. Prior to washing, vacuum or shake out any dirt or loose debris. Wash with hot water and Signature Detergent and some All-Purpose Bleach Alternative for an extra boost of clean. If your mat is made of memory foam, choose cool water, a delicate cycle, and low spin. Do not use All-Purpose Bleach Alternative. For an all-plastic mat, add a few capfuls of Scented Vinegar to the machine to sanitize and remove unwanted odors. Hang to dry. 17. Behind the toilet and sinks Just because these areas are hidden doesn’t mean dust, gunk, and grime doesn’t settle here! Don’t forget to sweep and mop them. 18. Toilet brush cleaners and scrub brushes No comment but so necessary. Soak these in a basin of hot water and two capfuls of All-Purpose Bleach Alternative to thoroughly clean. For unsavory odors, add in two capfuls of Scented Vinegar.
THE LIVING ROOM
19. Plants Real or faux, your plants and sometimes their pots need to be dusted and cleansed. Our Lint-Free Cleaning Cloths and some other gentle (but key) cleaning solutions will do the trick. 20. Candles and essential oil diffusers Wipe away dust from wax candles with Lint-Free Cleaning Cloth. For candles housed in glass jars, you can use some Glass & Mirror Cleaner. For diffusers, first unplug the device, then fill the water reservoir halfway with clean water. Add a capful of Scented Vinegar, then turn it on and let it run for 3-5 minutes, allowing the vinegar to disperse throughout the machine. Use a small brush like our Stain Brush to wipe down the edges of the water reservoir and the outside of the machine. Rinse the water reservoir with clean water, wipe dry with a clean cloth, and allow to air dry before using. 21. Upholstery Spot treat upholstery stains with our Wash & Stain Bar, a Lint-Free Cleaning Cloths, and cool water. Grab our tricks here. To eliminate unwanted smells, spray with Fabric Fresh Classic or add a capful of Scented Vinegar to a spray bottle of cool water and spray directly onto fabric from at least 6” away. 22. Wool rugs and blankets Spot treat stains on rugs as needed with a Wash & Stain Bar and a Lint-Free Cleaning Cloth. Make sure you absorb excess water with your cloth to avoid water stains. For thick wool rugs and blankets, wash with our Wool & Cashmere Shampoo and these tricks. 23. Throw pillow covers If the last time you washed your pillow covers was...never, check the care guide. If they say they’re machine washable, wash with Signature Detergent and cool water, then lay flat to dry. If they say “dry clean only,” opt for Delicate Wash and these simple instructions. 24. Remote controls When’s the last time you washed yours?! Clean them frequently with a Lint-Free Cleaning Cloth misted with Surface Cleaner. 25. Lamps They’re magnets for dirt and dust! Our Cashmere Brush is the perfect tool for gently brushing away lint and dust.
FOYER/HALLWAYS/ALL OVER
26. Washing machine and dryer If your machine has a foul smell, it’s probably time to give yours a refresh. And if yours doesn’t smell? It’s still a good idea to clean them often. 27. Vent covers To clean, remove the covers and place them in a sink or basin filled with hot, soapy water (use a capful of our (All-Purpose Cleaning Concentrate) and wash them with a Lint-Free Cleaning Cloth. Soak for no longer than 30 minutes and be gentle when washing to avoid paint from lifting. 28. Trash cans and recycling bins Do we even have to say it?! Get our tutorial here. 29. Light switches and doorknobs Don’t neglect these high touch surfaces! Surface Cleaner and Lint-Free Cleaning Cloth are your go to. 30. Closet floors Closets matter, too! Sweep, vacuum, and mop them whenever you clean your floors.
Published on October 25, 2022
