Spring Cleaning Forget-Me-Nots

Established 1999

14 June 2022 by Northwest Mortgage

5 Places You Might Not Think to Clean In Your House

When spring cleaning, you might even think to pull out your refrigerator, clean inside your oven, and get all the crusty bits out of your microwave. You might even get out the ladder and dust the blades of your ceiling fans! But there are STILL a few places where smells, bacteria, and dirt can linger in your home - even in some of the most-used rooms.

Here are a few things to add to your spring cleaning rotation:

Dishwasher & washing machine

Ah, the things that clean other things. They’ve made modern life so much easier, but they can only clean themselves to a certain extent.

It’s usually fairly easy to tell when these need a little attention: immediately open the machine and if there’s an unclean odor, it’s time to do something. So here’s a little maintenance for your dishwashers and washing machines to keep your dishes and clothes from smelling foul, even after a cycle:

Dishwashers often have a little filter inside the machine that filters out large debris and particles. Carefully remove any buildup from this filter and throw it away. Then, remove any dishes from the machine, spray bleach or a heavy-duty cleaner inside the machine, and run a dishes-free cycle with hot water.
For washing machines, you’ll want to consult your owner’s manual before washing their interiors because most manufacturers have different recommendations. A general cleaning method is to mix vinegar and baking soda in your washer, then put the machine on a hot cycle.

Garbage disposal

We usually think that, once something goes down the garbage disposal, it’s just… gone for good. But even if you’re diligent about running water when you use it, grime and particles and weird smells build up in your garbage disposal over time.

There are all kinds of fun ways to get your garbage disposal to give up its trashy treasure - there’s videos all over the internet that show cleaning hacks like this one that uses just ice (it’s not recommended by professionals, but it’s fun to watch) - but Better Homes and Gardens has a pretty thorough guide that you can access here.

Trash cans

Sure, you take out the trash when you need to, but what about the can itself? Sometimes, some of your trash, especially liquids or sticky stuff, can stay behind in the canister.

For most kitchen cans, you can take the can outside and spray it with bleach or cleaner, scrub it thoroughly, and rinse it out with a hose. If you want to add the can to your regular maintenance routine, spray it with disinfectant on a regular basis.

Knobs, door handles, & light switches

Yup, those things need cleaned. They’re so ubiquitous that they can be invisible - but doorknobs, light switches, cabinet handles, and anything your hands push or pull need to be cleaned.

Luckily, these are pretty simple - a bit of vinegar water goes a long way in cleaning these often used spots, and it's eco-friendly!

Throw pillows

Yeah, those cream-colored couch pillows that nobody really touches, except for the occasional nap? Those are getting touched more than you think… and skin oils can discolor throw pillows and cause funky odors, even in small doses over time.

Cleaning methods depend on the pillow’s material. Some pillows can be thrown straight into the washing machine, but some need some handwashing. Some can be spot-cleaned with a sponge or cloth with vinegar or a baking soda solution, some might need a specialized cleaner from the manufacturer. But after all of that, you might find out that those cream-colored pillows were supposed to be white.