You may find this weird, but I actually consider cleaning a very therapeutic activity. Whenever I get weekends off, I buckle down and make a checklist of the areas in my home that need to get spic and span. Of course, there are the usuals like mopping and sweeping the floors, dusting surfaces and the insides of cabinets, and wiping down countertops. But, through my expansive cleaning journey, I’ve noticed that there are certain places (or items) in the home that doesn’t get as much love. Get your game face on ’cause we’ll be tackling 7 places you shouldn’t miss during your home cleaning routine!

Home Cleaning Routine Checklist

1.  Doorknobs and light switches 7 Places to Add in Your Home Cleaning Routine | MyBoysen

Doorknobs and light switches are some of the most high-touch items in the home. It makes sense that we should include them in our home cleaning routines. Especially this time during a pandemic! Doorknobs are usually smooth and brassy and doesn’t really visually show dirt most of the time. But it doesn’t mean that germs aren’t there! Most light switches, on the other hand, are white and I grimace just a little bit whenever I see some grime buildup.

2.  Toiletries holders 7 Places to Add in Your Home Cleaning Routine | MyBoysen

Whether it’s the built-in holders in your shower or just the small plastic containers holding your soap, you should really consider scrubbing them down. Our showers can get really steamy and (pardon for the word) moist, which encourages mold growth. Eww…  Just because our soaps and shampoos are meant to clean us doesn’t mean they can clean themselves.

3.  Appliances and handles 7 Places to Add in Your Home Cleaning Routine | MyBoysen

Oh gosh, this is another pet peeve of mine. Back in my parents’ house in the province, I noticed how positively dark the handle of the refrigerator is. Initially, I thought it was just the fridge’s enamel coating wearing off. Boy was I wrong. It was actually years of dirt buildup from people opening and closing the fridge.  The scrubbing took me literally hours. I know, really gross, but really satisfying. Don’t spare your other high-touch appliances! Regularly clean down the microwave, toaster oven, and the knobs of your gas range!

4.  Garbage Bins 7 Places to Add in Your Home Cleaning Routine | MyBoysen

Yes, I know this seems counterproductive. But think about it, we literally throw trash into our garbage bins. Imagine the grime and bacteria colonies living in them (and the stench!). Hose down your garbage bins on a regular basis during your home cleaning routine. This includes the bins in the bathroom, the kitchen, the bedroom, and the big plastic trash bins you have sitting outside your home.

5.  Mattresses 7 Places to Add in Your Home Cleaning Routine | MyBoysen

Last year, I justified purchasing a cordless vacuum cleaner online (read: budol) because I read somewhere how dirty our mattresses are. A part of the weight of our mattresses (and pillows) are made up of dead skin cells, dust mites (and their microscopic poop), dirt, and other debris. I suffered from severe allergic rhinitis every time I went to bed and the meds seemed like they stopped working. But, after I gave my mattress a thorough workout with the dust mite filter of the vacuum cleaner, good gosh, I can breathe again! And the amount of dust and dirt that the vacuum sucked from my bed was in a whole other level of disgusting.

6.  Air Filters 7 Places to Add in Your Home Cleaning Routine | MyBoysen

Since we’re on the topic of vacuum cleaners, let’s discuss air filters. I’m using this as an umbrella term for air conditioning units, air purifiers, and electric fans. (Yes, I know fans don’t have filters, but let’s just throw it in for good measure anyway). Pop off your A/C unit’s plastic cover and pull out the thin mesh filter. If you’re like me and haven’t taken a good look at it for ages, it’s probably filled to the brim with dust bunnies. Give all these appliances a nice vacuuming and wipe them down to get rid of dust that they’re blowing around the room! Your sinuses will thank you for it.

7.  Walls 7 Places to Add in Your Home Cleaning Routine | MyBoysen

I’m a wall sleeper. Let me explain. My bed is pressed up against the wall and the only way I can sleep properly is if I shove my body in the tiny space between the bed and the wall. Like, literally, face pressed up against the wall. So it’s probably a good idea to give it a nice wipe down every now and again. Take a look at the wall surrounding your light switches, railings, and door frames. I bet you there’s going to be some form of dirt and grime along the perimeter. Give your walls a good wipe down!

Easy Clean, Antibacterial Paint

7 Things to Include in Your Home Cleaning Routine

I’m all about making my home cleaning routine as easy and as efficient as possible. So, I painted my interiors with Virtuoso Silk Touch. It’s a low-odor, low-VOC, easy clean paint that’s formulated with Teflon to make it easier to wipe off dirt from the walls. No more intense scrubbing for me! In addition to that, Virtuoso has an antibacterial property that gives an extra defense against bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella. It also prevents the growth of mildew and fungus! Now I can safely press my face and body against the wall as I sleep, and you can too.

Happy cleaning!

Author

Inah is an avid overplanner with a manic desire to organize everything. She dedicates most of her time and attention to her two chunky dogs, Prince and Peanut. If there's a bit of extra time on hand, she will spring clean her entire house.

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