6 Commonly Overlooked Home Cleaning Tasks

When you make your to-do list for chores, you probably add all the everyday items: cleaning the bathroom, washing the kitchen floor, and vacuuming the carpets. However, you might be forgetting to touch up critical areas in your home. Use this list of commonly overlooked home cleaning tasks to give your home the thorough cleaning it deserves.

Dusting the Baseboards

You probably take care of the floors, but when’s the last time you actually cleaned the baseboards in your home? Baseboards can accumulate dust, dirt, and other muck, making them look unpleasant. To clean the baseboards, run the brush attachment on your vacuum over the top. You can also try wiping them with a cleaning mixture and soft cloth, using a cotton swab to get inside the crevices.

Unclogging the Gutters

Since it’s technically outside the home, you might consider unclogging your gutters to be a yard maintenance task. Nevertheless, keeping your gutters free of clogs is essential for proper water flow when it rains. Otherwise, you could face a waterfall the next time a storm hits. To clean your gutters, climb a ladder and use your hands to dig out leaves, dirt, and any other debris.

Cleaning Your Air Ducts

As long as your HVAC system is running smoothly, you probably don’t think too hard about it. But if you don’t keep your air ducts clean, you could face a number of problems, such as poor air quality and decreased energy efficiency. Call in an HVAC technician to give your system a thorough cleaning so you can improve the air you breathe and lower your utility bill.

Wiping Down the Coffeemaker

It’s that vital appliance you use every day — the coffeemaker. It’s one of the most treasured gadgets in your home, but how often do you give it a good scrub? In addition to grimy fingerprints on the outside surface, the inner mechanisms of your coffeemaker can get clogged with hard-water deposits and brewing residue. To cleanse it thoroughly, brew a batch of cleaner that is one part white vinegar and one part water; run the cleaner through the coffeemaker but turn it off halfway through the cycle, and let the mixture sit for an hour before emptying.

Washing the Throw Pillows

Throw pillows are great for lounging and relaxing but do you wash them as often as you should? They collect just as much dead skin, dirt, and dust mites as your bedroom pillows, so you should be cleaning them on roughly the same schedule. If they don’t have removable pillowcases, you can throw them in the wash, use the vacuum to suck up debris, or spot clean them as necessary.

Rinsing the Trash Cans

You empty the trash cans in preparation for garbage day, but chances are you never actually clean the inside of the can. Even the most durable of garbage bags can leak, creating a lingering smell that makes your home stink like the inside of a dumpster. Drag your cans outside and give them a spray with a hose to keep them smelling fresh.

If you add this list of overlooked cleaning tasks to your usual to-do list, you’ll make your home feel much cleaner overall.