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Are there some things you forget to clean around the house? It’s easy to do! In my eagerness to start clearing out winter things and get the house ready for spring, there are some things I often forget to clean — especially things that are outside of my normal spring cleaning routine.
Related: 7 Dangerous Mistakes You Need To Avoid While Spring Cleaning
In order to make sure none of us neglect any important projects this spring, I’ve put together something of a checklist of frequently forgotten household chores below. These aren’t the kinds of things you clean every day, so it’s no wonder they often slip our minds.
By the end of this post, you’ll be armed with the information you need to leave your home cleaner, fresher, and ready for spring!
7 Things You Should Clean During Spring Cleaning
1. Allergen Magnets
Most of us are diligent about keeping our clothes and bedding clean, but it’s easy to forget that other fabric items need to be cleaned too! Stuffed animals, throw pillows, curtains, pet beds, and throw rugs can easily become magnets for dust and allergens if they’re neglected for too long. Keeping these items clean, deodorized, and free of allergens can help cut down on your springtime sniffles!
If these items are super dirty, pre-treating them with Powerizer or OxiClean will help dissolve tough stains and oils, helping them to come out perfectly clean after just one wash. To pre-treat, add 1 scoop of Powerizer or OxiClean to 1 gallon of hot water in your sink or a bucket, then soak the items for a few hours before transferring them to your washing machine.
2. Decorative Containers
Decorative containers like vases and jars are easy to forget about when it comes to cleaning. But those items typically stay in one place, which means they’re collecting dirt, grime, and plenty of dust. Make sure to give your decorative containers a good scrub during your spring cleaning efforts!
To clean your containers, just put them in your dishwasher. If you don’t have a dishwasher or you have delicate containers that aren’t dishwasher-friendly, soaking them in your sink is a great alternative! Add a bit of dish soap to a sink full of hot water, then let your containers soak for an hour or so in the soapy water before rinsing them off and letting them dry.
3. Range Hood Filter
Your range hood does the important job of collecting airborne grease while you’re cooking so it doesn’t stick to your walls and ceiling. But your range hood can only work effectively if you keep the filter inside it clean! Spring cleaning is a perfect opportunity to give your range hood filter a thorough degreasing.
I like to clean my range hood filters in one of two easy ways — with a stove-top baking soda treatment, or by putting them in the dishwasher. Check out the link below to learn how to remove even the dirtiest build-up from your range hood filters.
Related: This Is The Easiest Way To Clean Your Range Hood Filter
4. Shower Caddies And Shelves
Shower caddies and removable shower shelves are a convenient place to store your bath products. But they can also be a magnet for soap scum, rust, and mildew, so it’s important to give them a thorough cleaning every once in a while!
To clean your shower caddy, shelf, or other accessories, you can use the same thing you use to clean shower — I recommend my powerful DIY shower cleaner! Put the items on the floor of your tub or shower, spray, wait half an hour, then rinse! After rinsing let them dry and replace them in your shower.
5. Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal comes in contact with all kinds of food residues, and those residues can build up in and around the drain of your sink. Take a few minutes during your spring cleaning efforts to give your garbage disposal some much needed TLC!
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To clean your garbage disposal, all you need is lemons and vinegar! This method loosens up any gunk stuck to the blades and leaves your garbage disposal smelling fresh and clean. You can use these cubes whenever your disposal needs it, and while you’re at it, use a damp cloth to wipe under the gasket. Click below for all the details!
Related: How To Clean And Freshen Your Garbage Disposal The Easy Way
6. Trash Can
Unpleasant odors can linger in your trash can, even after you’ve taken out the trash! Whether the smells are caused by spills, splatters, or hidden food residue, a good deep clean will eliminate odors and restore freshness to your trash can.
To clean your trash can, fill a spray bottle with equal amounts of water and vinegar, then use it to thoroughly spray the inside and outside of your trash can. Give it a good scrub to loosen up any stubborn trash grime, then rinse with clean water. Let it dry completely before putting a new trash bag in.
Related: The 3 Things You Need To Do To Avoid A Stinky Garbage Can
7. Underneath Tables And Chairs
The underside of your tables and chairs are frequently handled by dirty hands before, during, and after meals. Put these areas on your spring cleaning to-do list to eliminate any greasy residues that might be hiding there.
To clean hard surfaces under tables and chairs, apply an all-purpose cleaning solution to a clean cloth, then use the damp cloth to wipe away any grease and grime.
To clean upholstered surfaces, put the same solution in a squeeze bottle and apply it to soiled areas. Let it sit for 5 minutes or so, then blot with a clean, damp cloth. Repeat until the dirt or stain is gone, then blot again with a clean, dry cloth.
Related: This Is What You Need To Know About Cleaning Vs. Disinfecting
BONUS: Use My Spring Cleaning Checklist!
To help you remember these other spring cleaning tasks, I’ve got just the thing: my free Spring Cleaning Checklist! This free printable will help you breeze through spring cleaning without forgetting a thing. (I’ve got you covered for weekly and daily chores as well — check out my free daily and weekly chore trackers!)
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Related: The 26 Best Cleaning Products And Supplies For Spring Cleaning
Do you have any less obvious tasks on your spring cleaning to-do list?
