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When giving our home a spring clean, there are many parts that can get overlooked. Below are some of the common areas that get missed and how to clean them properly.

Your windows

Many of us rarely clean our windows – especially the outside. Over time, the glass can get dirty, which can reduce the amount of sunlight coming in and affect our ability to see out of them. The window frames can also collect dust, mold, dirt and cobwebs. Certain frame materials may get damaged or permanently stained because of this dirt and mold.

Hiring professional window cleaners to clean the outside of your windows could be worthwhile – especially those hard-to-reach upper floor windows. Alternatively, you can clean the inside and outside of your windows yourself. Invest in some decent window cleaning spray, a squeegee and a microfiber cloth. 

Your front door

A dirty front door doesn’t create good first impressions for guests. And yet many of us rarely clean our front door – allowing it to collect dirt and cobwebs. 

Thankfully, front doors are easy to clean. Simply grab a sponge and a bucket of hot water and scrub it down. If you’ve got a porch, make sure to clean this entire area. This could include vacuuming cobwebs and sweeping away any dirt.

Your roof

Roofs may not always be clearly visible from the street, but keeping them clean is still important. Over time, roofs can attract moss and mold and dirt. This can damage some roof surfaces over time and increase the risk of leaks. Those with solar panels on their roof may meanwhile find that their panels generate less electricity if not regularly cleaned.

It’s recommended that you clean your roof once per year. Different roof materials may require different methods – while you can jet-wash some roofs, others can be easily damaged by a pressure washer and may need to be manually cleaned. Because cleaning a roof can be dangerous, it’s often best to hire a roof cleaning service. This will also ensure that the right cleaning method is used.

Your gutters

Gutters help to direct water from our roof into the drain. This prevents water pooling around our home and damaging our foundations. Unfortunately, leaves and twigs can often accumulate in gutters over time and cause blockages. This can lead to water failing to drain and spilling over the sides. In the winter, this water could even freeze up and destroy your guttering.

You should inspect your gutters at least once per year to check that they are not clogged. To clean your gutters, you can remove debris by hand using gloves or use a gutter scoop. Make sure to use a stable ladder when doing this. Hiring a gutter cleaning company could be safer and more convenient for some people. 

Your HVAC system

The air ducts of your home’s HVAC system can get dirty over time. Dust, mold and allergens can accumulate in the ducts and filters. This could result in reduced heating and cooling efficiency, as well as poor quality air being pumped around your home (if you notice odors or your sinuses keep getting blocked up, it could be because your HVAC needs to be cleaned).

Cleaning a HVAC system is not something you can do yourself. Look for a reputable HVAC cleaning service in your area to carry out this task. HVAC cleaning should ideally be carried out once per year. 

Your curtains/blinds

When was the last time you cleaned your curtains or blinds? Window treatments can often attract dust and cobwebs if they are not kept clean. This could result in dust being kicked up into the air every time you use your blinds or curtains, plus it could cause them to prematurely wear.

Some curtains are machine washable. Others may need to be professionally cleaned. When it comes to blinds and shutters, there are specialist slat-cleaning tools and sprays you can buy.

Your dishwasher

Dishwashers can accumulate scum over time, which can lead to unpleasant smells and prevent dishes from being cleaned properly. As a result, it’s important to occasionally clean them.

You can clean your dishwasher by placing a cup of white vinegar in the top tray and running a hot cycle without any detergent or any other dishes in the dishwasher. This should help to break down any grease. You may also manually clean out the filter and potentially check any seals for grime. 

Your refrigerator

Food and drink can leak and spill in refrigerators, which can lead to bacterial growth and unpleasant smells. This could make your fridge potentially unsafe to keep food in.

Every few months, take the time to thoroughly wipe down all the trays and shelves in your refrigerator. Remove any opened food that’s been in there a long time – many sauces end up being kept long after they are safe to use. While cleaning your refrigerator, consider also cleaning the outside and potentially behind your refrigerator (this is a common overlooked location).

Your microwave

Microwaves can get quite grubby over time. Continuing to cook food in a dirty microwave could lead to food getting contaminated.

How do you clean a microwave? One solution is to place a bowl of hot water and vinegar in your microwave and cook it on high temperature for a few minutes – this creates steam which helps to break down stubborn grime on the inside of your microwave. You should then be able to easily wipe it clean. 

Your oven

Ovens often get coated in grease and fat over time. This needs to be cleaned out occasionally to keep your oven working efficiently, prevent contamination and prevent potential fires. 

Cleaning an oven can be awkward – it typically requires taking out all the trays and cleaning them individually, and then scrubbing the inside walls and floor. There are oven cleaning solutions you can buy that can help break down stubborn burnt deposits of fat and grease. Alternatively, you can hire an oven cleaning service to clean your oven for you. Consider also cleaning behind your oven when you get a chance. 

 

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