Areas of Your House That Are Commonly Forgotten When Cleaning

House cleaning is one of those tasks that can simply be done on autopilot. The automatic nature of house cleaning makes it feel easy, but it can also mean that you get into a rhythm that is hard to break. This leads to several areas being perennially overlooked. Sometimes areas of the home are ignored in seasonal or annual cleaning because they are too difficult or because homeowners don’t know how to clean them properly. Whatever the reason, the next time you take on the task of deep cleaning your home, take a closer look at these areas of your home. You may be surprised at what you discover.

Outdoor Furniture Pieces

A lot of people have outdoor furniture pieces such as:

• Patio tables, chairs, and umbrellas
• Hammocks and frames
• Suspension chairs
• Awnings

These items should be regularly sprayed down and properly treated if mold and mildew are suspected. Cleaning your outdoor furniture at the beginning and end of seasonal use is best. In most cases, water and dish soap are adequate for getting these items clean. Use a stiff bristled scrub brush to remove any areas of stubborn dirt, then rinse grime away with the help of a hose and spray attachment. When you take the time to clean your outdoor furniture regularly, it becomes easier to do each time. You’ll also find that using your outdoor furniture is more comfortable and enjoyable. Everyone likes having a clean place to sit.

Throw Pillows and Other Accents

Did you know that most throw pillow covers can be removed? Nearly all throw pillow covers can be removed with the help of a zipper. Other covers are simply tucked tightly around the pillow form beneath. This makes it easy to toss covers and pillow forms into the washer and drier. Follow the washing instructions on the tags to preserve the quality of the items.

Throw pillows and similar accent items get very dirty because they are touched and used so frequently. They also attract food stains, pet stains, and bad odors. These items should be cleaned at least once a year because they are highly visible parts of your home and because they are so prone to soiling.

Air Ducts

The air ducts in your home channel warm and cool air all year long. This is an important system that keeps your home running comfortably. There are filters along the way to help prevent mold, pollen, and dust from settling where they shouldn’t. Dirty air ducts can make your home dusty, which makes cleaning harder in the long run. However, air ducts have to be kept clean in order to function at peak efficiency.

Unlike most areas of your home, air ducts can’t be cleaned on your own. You will need to partner with special service agents for this task. It only takes a little bit of planning to have this service taken care of. A quick call to a local agency is all it takes and you can enjoy a cleaner, nicer home.

Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal is one of the hardest working appliances in your kitchen, but it is also one of the most overlooked. Bad kitchen odors often have their origin in the garbage disposal. Because so much food waste is run through the garbage disposal, it can be a site of mold growth. Mold as well as excess food pieces can be the source of those bad smells. Decaying food can also lead to clogs, preventing the disposal from working correctly.

Equal parts baking soda and vinegar are usually sufficient to clear a garbage disposal. Start by running hot water, and then pour the mixture down the disposal. Doing this once a week will keep everything running smoothly.

A Clean Home Is a Pleasant Home

Cleaning these overlooked areas will help you feel more at home in your living space. You can relax knowing you’ve done this job well. Most of these overlooked areas don’t need to be cleaned frequently, but they make a big difference in how your home looks and functions.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Duct Doctor