Filthy Ceiling Fan Paddles
Sometimes the tops of ceiling fan paddles aren’t cleaned because you’re running the fan all the time. Once you stop and look at those paddles, the dust, which is often greasy, may shock you!
Leslie Reichert of The Cleaning Coach suggests cleaning the paddles with an old pillowcase. “Open the end and place it over the fan paddle,” she says. “Then press hard and pull the pillowcase off. The dust will be inside and not fall on the floor.”
Grubby Grout
Deep cleaning tile grout in your kitchen or bathroom offers visible results and instant gratification while refreshing the look of the tile. “I’m a big fan of using a steam cleaner for cleaning grout,” says Reichert. “You can see the dirt fly out of the grout.”
Bissel’s handheld SteamShot Hard Surface Cleaner is a lightweight, easy-to-use tool for cleaning and sanitizing tile and grout anywhere in your home.
Forgotten Baseboards
Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority housecleaning services, says clean baseboards give the home “a beautiful finishing touch.”
For painted or stained baseboards, Stapf recommends first removing dust with a bristled brush hose attachment on a vacuum. Then clean with a sponge or microfiber cloth, using a mixture of three-quarters warm water and one-quarter dish soap. “Make sure to wring the sponge out well so you don’t get too much water on the wood,” she says.
For really filthy baseboards, Reichert says you should let the water sit on the baseboard, then wipe again. “Be careful not to wipe the wall next to the baseboard as it will smear dirt onto the paint,” she says.
That Space Between the Stove and Countertop
There are potentially two nasty, narrow spaces between the stove and the countertop, where grease, crumbs, and splatters accumulate. If your stove abuts your countertop so there’s no room for crud to fall on the floor, you probably have a simple clean-up job.
Reichert recommends wrapping a knife with a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe inside the space. For wider spaces where debris drops to the floor, you’ll need to pull out the stove and clean it underneath. Be sure to unplug an electric range or switch off the gas supply.
Sweep the floor underneath, then clean it with a scrubby sponge and, if necessary, a heavy-duty cleaner made for your flooring type. Once the floor is dry, reattach the stove and push it back into place. Now, enjoy the feeling of knowing there’s nothing scary lurking under there anymore.
To keep grunge from accumulating again, try a silicone counter-gap cover.
Grimy Garbage Cans
“If your kitchen has a foul smell, taking the trash out may not solve your problem,” Stapf says. “Trash cans can harbor odors, liquids, and residue from your trash.” Gross!
To clean metal or plastic garbage can, work in the bathtub or outdoors with a hose. Stapf recommends mixing two cups of vinegar, one tablespoon of dish soap, and water in a spray bottle, then coating the interior and exterior of the can. Scrub down any areas with crusted dirt. Then rinse the can and wipe it down. Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom approximately once a week to deodorize.
Once you get the garbage can really clean and get into the habit of keeping it that way, it’ll no longer feel like a task to avoid.
Funky Fridges and Freezers
If you cringe every time you open the refrigerator or freezer, it’s probably time for deep cleaning. “[But] completely cleaning the fridge is an overwhelming task,” says Reichert, who recommends doing it a little at a time.
“Think of just moving things off one shelf, removing the shelf, and running it under hot, hot water,” she says. “Wipe it down with a dry microfiber cloth and put it back into the fridge. Just clean a shelf or drawer when you have a minute.”
If you’re ready to tackle the whole job, Stapf says to clear out all the food, then remove the shelves and bins. “Clean the inside of the fridge with a solution of two tablespoons baking soda and one-quart hot water,” she says. “Rinse with a damp cloth, then dry with a towel. Soak the removable sections in the same solution.”
Cruddy Microwaves
“We often avoid cleaning microwaves because they’re hard to reach and awkward to clean out,” says Stapf. To make the job easier, she recommends loosening the grime before you begin.
“Take a lemon and squeeze the juice out into a microwave-safe bowl,” she says. “Then fill that same bowl with a cup of water. Run the solution in the container on high in the microwave for five minutes, or until it starts to steam in the microwave.”
Once that’s done, wipe down the sides, ceiling, and turntable with a disinfectant spray. Then wipe down with a dish or microfiber cloth.
Drains Clogged with Rat-Like Hair Monsters
If you want high-level cleaning satisfaction and don’t have a quick gag reflex, tackle your slow draining tub/shower drain. The combination of hair and soap scum creates something you have to see to believe. Use an $8 plastic drain unclogger, or follow these steps for cleaning the drain without chemicals.
“Mix 1/3 cup of distilled white vinegar and 1/3 cup of baking soda,” says Stapf. “Pour boiling water down the drain to loosen up particles. Then follow with the baking soda-vinegar mixture and wait 15 minutes. To finish, rinse once more with boiling water.”
Onerous Ovens
There’s no fast way to deep clean your oven, but there are plenty of ways to do it without toxic, noxious chemical sprays.
After removing loose debris with a small brush and dustpan or vacuum cleaner, layer a paste of baking soda, water, and dish soap over the solid surfaces of the oven. Then let it sit overnight.
To clean your oven without harsh chemicals, place oven racks in an overnight bath of hot water, dish soap, and dryer sheets (yes, dryer sheets!). The next day, sponge down the oven interior until the sponge comes up clean. Then rinse and dry the racks
