Vacuuming the walkways quickly isn’t enough to keep your home truly clean. Read on to learn why your home needs a thorough cleaning.
If you maintain a regular cleaning routine at home, vacuuming dust, cleaning surfaces in the kitchen, and sanitizing the bathroom fixtures, that’s great! Regularly cleaning areas where dirt and germs quickly accumulate is essential for a nice and, most importantly, healthy home.
However, a deeper clean, known as “deep cleaning,” should also take place from time to time. If remote corners are skipped or some areas are regularly forgotten, they can become real health hazards.
Poor Cleaning? Consequences for Health & Finances
Anyone who never performs such a “deep cleaning” will eventually face the consequences. Financially speaking, this is surprisingly important. Furniture, as well as walls, floors, baseboards, and of course kitchens, require some maintenance. Over the years, accumulated dirt may eventually become impossible to completely remove and might even damage the underlying material. This could reduce the value of your furniture or even result in not getting your full deposit back at the end of a rental period.
Deep Cleaning: What Often Gets Forgotten
Behind, between, and in places you wouldn’t expect dirt because you can’t see it, you need to be particularly thorough. Move furniture away from the wall—like the refrigerator—and clean there. While you’re at the fridge, clean it inside too. The oven also needs a thorough internal cleaning. And the range hood and windows, where dirt isn’t always visible, should get a good scrub from time to time.
In the Bedroom
The bed in the bedroom is a real germ trap. Consider how often you use it. Skin flakes, sweat, dust, and everything that thrives in a warm environment contaminate your sanctuary. Regularly washing the sheets and bedclothes should be on your list, as well as cleaning the pillows and mattress.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, where you prepare your food, hygiene is paramount. Surfaces often look clean, but food—especially meat and fish—leave invisible germs that you can transfer to other foods. Regularly wipe surfaces with disinfectants to kill bacteria and germs. Also, clean used kitchen utensils with hot water and soap.
By Plan: Finding the Perfect Strategy
You likely follow a weekly cleaning schedule that typically includes vacuuming, mopping floors, and cleaning bathroom and kitchen fixtures, as well as the toilet. This is sensible as allergies can develop over time, and a weekly cleaning routine protects against them better than infrequent, more extensive cleanings.
However, the health consequences of a neglected home can be far more serious. Bacteria and germs love to accumulate in remote corners and multiply undisturbed. The same goes for allergens. Ignoring them long-term increases the likelihood of developing allergies.
Particularly to be noted are dust mites and pet hair. Mold spores are also a significant health risk to avoid.
In addition to your weekly cleaning routine, you should also clean neglected areas semi-regularly, such as monthly, and perform a proper “deep cleaning” once or twice a year. The cleaning routine can look like this:
Weekly: The essentials for weekly cleaning are well-known and already mentioned. Additionally, kitchen appliances like the microwave need special attention. The kitchen sink and draining area also need to be cleaned weekly. If you’ve handled raw meat or fish, it’s best to disinfect the sink and its fixtures immediately afterward.
Monthly: Your refrigerator needs a thorough cleaning once a month. Take out the food briefly and wipe down the shelves, drawers, and compartments with disinfectants. While you’re at it, clean your pantry cabinets the same way.
Twice a Year: Less frequently but no less important in your cleaning routine is cleaning mattresses, windows, and curtains. These time-consuming tasks are best done during spring cleaning and once again in the fall.
6 Efficient Tips for Reducing Germs in the Home
Besides these larger tasks, you can also quickly bring more cleanliness to your home with small and simple measures. These following places and items are easy to keep hygienically clean but are often forgotten. Incorporate them into your standard cleaning routine, and you can efficiently reduce the number of germs in your home.
Tip 1: Sponges and Cleaning Cloths: Cleaning with dirty utensils only makes things worse, as dirty cloths and sponges spread bacteria and germs. Make sure to regularly replace or clean even clean-looking cleaning utensils. Cloths and rags can be tossed in the washing machine, and sponges can be soaked in cleaning solutions.
Tip 2: Carpets and Rugs: Regular vacuuming protects carpets and rugs, but it doesn’t completely prevent dirt and germs from accumulating deep in the fibers. Once a year, have your carpets professionally cleaned.
Tip 3: Cutting Boards: In the kitchen, take care to use plastic boards for proteins since they can be thoroughly cleaned in the dishwasher. Use wooden boards for fruits and vegetables. Wooden boards generally last longer but should not be put in the dishwasher.
Tip 4: Toothbrush Holder: Bacteria from toothbrushes and dust particles can easily collect in the toothbrush holder. Regularly wash it with warm water and cleaning agents.
Tip 5: Doorknobs, Window Handles, and Switches: These are often touched and thus contaminated but not visibly dirty. Simply wipe them down regularly with a cloth and disinfectant.
Tip 6: Remote Controls, Smartphones, Computer Keyboards: You probably use your multimedia devices daily and touch them often. While they can’t be washed, they still need to be cleaned. A cloth with disinfectant can work wonders here. For example, your smartphone should be disinfected daily—it’s a real germ hotspot that you regularly hold close to your face.
