Posted on August 5th, 2020
When cleaning, most Americans prioritize the mess they can see: According to a survey conducted by Apartment Guide, the majority of people (27%) cite clutter as their most pressing housekeeping concern, followed by pet hair (19%). Issues like crumbs, dust, and stains, on the other hand, were the top worry of just 12-14% of respondents.
While clutter and pet hair are visually distracting (and getting rid of pet hair is notoriously difficult), dirt – especially dirt that’s hard to see – deserves much more attention than it gets. Crumbs located in out-of-the-way spots are a magnet for pests, such as insects and rodents, and letting dust accumulate in these areas can trigger allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals. If you live in a humid region, failing to clean every part of your home thoroughly can also leave it vulnerable to mold and mildew growth.
If you want to safeguard your investment and keep your family healthy by improving indoor air quality, there’s no way around it: You can’t ignore hard-to-reach spots when you clean. Fortunately, tackling these awkward, inaccesible areas can be much easier with the right equipment and techniques. In the guide below, we’ll discuss our favorite ways how to clean hard-to-reach places around the home:
1. Use a microfiber cloth or duster to clean under appliances.
The areas under heavy appliances (like the fridge, washer, and dryer) are frequently overlooked, and it’s easy to see why. Unless you’re very strong, trying to move these appliances to clean under them can be difficult and risky. Fortunately, there’s a way to keep the spaces under your appliances clean without giving yourself a backache (or worse): Attach a microfiber cloth to the end of a broom handle with an elastic band, then sweep the cloth under each appliance. When you’ve successfully swept the crumbs and dust out from under them, use a vacuum or dustpan to dispose of the debris.
If you want to save even more time, you can buy a flat, long-handled microfiber duster to clean these spaces instead.
2. Make cleaning blinds easy with kitchen tongs.
Cleaning Venetian blinds with soapy water and a cloth is awkward, tedious, and messy. If you’ve ever tried to hold blinds still while dark streaks of dusty water drip down them (ultimately ending up on the floor and windowsill), you know how frustrating this job can be. That’s why most professional cleaners recommend using kitchen tongs to make cleaning blinds less challenging: Moisten two cloths with a solution of one-part warm water and one part white vinegar, then wrap them around both sides of the tongs. Use elastic bands to secure the cloths in place at both ends. Then, close the cloths gently but firmly over each section of the blinds while moving the tongs back and forth in a scrubbing motion. Work from top to bottom to avoid streaks, and make sure you rinse the cloths as soon as they become visibly soiled.
For those who don’t mind spending a bit of extra money on cleaning tools, blind dusters work just as well as a pair of tongs. They aren’t cheap, however, so many people prefer to use supplies they already have on hand.
3. Use a disposable duster to clean lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, and other high-up places.
Getting up on a ladder to clean can be daunting, especially for older people and those with mobility issues. Invest in a disposable duster with an extendable handle and pivoting head for a safer way to clean lighting fixtures and ceiling fans. Simply extend the handle and wipe the duster around fixtures and across fan blades to remove dust and grime. Disposable duster heads are made from a type of material that attracts and binds dirt, so unlike feather dusters, they won’t spread dust around.
You can also use these handy tools to reach the top of cabinets and high shelves. When cleaning kitchen cabinets, however, you may need to get up on a step stool to check for grease deposits. If you see grease, temporarily ditch the duster in favor of a cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. (Dish soap usually works well to cut through grease stains.) After scrubbing, rinse the area with cold water and dry it thoroughly.
4. Don’t hesitate to mop your ceiling before you sweep and mop the floor.
A lightly moistened flat mop can work wonders for removing dust and cobwebs from the ceiling. (Never wet mop a ceiling, as doing so can facilitate mold and mildew growth.) Generally, the best time to mop the ceiling is right before you plan to sweep and mop your floor, as you’ll collect fallen debris during sweeping.
5. Simplify shower head cleaning with baking soda and white vinegar.
One of the best ways to clean showerheads involves little (if any) scrubbing:
- Just fill a water-tight plastic bag with a 1/3 cup of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar.
- Then tie the bag around your showerhead (so the head is immersed in the solution) and leave it in place for a few hours.
- Run your shower briefly to rinse away dislodged gunk.
- If your shower isn’t flowing correctly, scrub the showerhead with an old toothbrush to remove stubborn mineral deposits.
Professional Deep Cleaning by DeluxeMaid
While the tips and tricks above can make cleaning hard-to-reach places easier, the most efficient way to deal with these areas is to hire a professional cleaner who has access to specialized equipment, and they have the expertise needed to complete challenging cleaning tasks quickly and thoroughly – So hiring a pro will always save you time.
If you think this option might be right for you, why not inquire about our professional deep cleaning services? We’ll be happy to help you deep clean your home while you spend your day relaxing at Brookville Lake.