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10 areas you need to clean monthly

10 areas you need to clean montly

Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.

If you’re like me, you know that sometimes a weekly home cleaning simply isn’t enough. You wipe down the bathroom, you keep up with the laundry, you sweep religiously but, somehow, things just aren’t clean enough.

This is my easy 10-step guide to looking past the obvious suspects and targeting those culprits that are actually harboring the most grime.

Walls

Begin your monthly clean out by dusting your walls. Take care to clean the top corners near the ceiling where cobwebs might be lurking. Wipe down the moldings that line the ceiling and floor and remove any scuffs. I find that the molding near doorways becomes particularly dirty because these are such high-traffic areas.

Windows and mirrors

Cleaning windows and mirrors goes beyond a simple wipe-down. Attend to the frames, too, in order to remove dust. Take care to clean all the nooks and crannies, on windows in particular, as this is where dirt collects.

Air filters and vents

The easiest way to improve the air quality in your home is to clean the air filters and vents. Use a vacuum to pull up dust and dirt from the vents. Change out the filters on your heating and cooling system once a month. This will help the heat and AC run more efficiently, meaning less energy usage and cleaner air. It’s a win-win!

Ceiling fan

One source of dust you might be overlooking is directly overhead, on your ceiling fan. Dust collects on the top of the blades, so when the air circulates underneath, the dust above remains stagnant. To remove it, slide the blade into an old pillowcase, and then pull the pillowcase off, pressing your hand onto the top of the blade. Not only will this take the dust off, but it will also collect it in one place without you having to vacuum afterward.

Light fixtures

Use a slightly damp cloth to clean your light fixtures. From the ceiling fan light to the entryway sconce, all light fixtures should be cleaned monthly. A weekly dusting can only do so much, so a good wipe-down will make your lights seem brighter.

Furniture

Furniture also needs to be tended to every month. If you don’t have slipcovers on your furniture, begin by removing the cushions. Next, vacuum the floor under the piece and underneath the cushions as well. Then, treat any spots you encounter. Use the proper cleaning solution to make sure you don’t compromise the material.

Carpet

Vacuuming regularly is a good start, but occasionally your carpet needs a little more attention. Spot treat the carpet where necessary, then go the extra mile and steam clean your carpet or use cleaning foam for an extra fresh feeling.

Curtains

Your curtains may look clean, but they actually hold a lot of dirt. First, vacuum the curtains using the nozzle attachment. Pay particular attention to the bottom — keep in mind the curtains are brushing against the floor all day, collecting dirt, pet hair, what have you, along the way. Next, just as with the furniture, spot clean your curtains where necessary.

Stove

Deep cleaning the stovetop is a necessary evil. If you have a range top, remove all of the parts and clean them separately to remove any dried food or splattered grease. In my experience, a sparkling clean stove makes the entire kitchen feel clean.

Trashcan

Sure, you take out the trash, but do you clean the trashcan? Once a month, rinse the inside and outside of the can, scrubbing off any stains or marks. You’ll be amazed at what a difference this makes in the smell of your trash area!

What are your monthly cleaning musts?

Bree

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