Many homeowners throughout the country are taking part in their own spring cleaning efforts as the mild weather has allowed some to begin opening up their homes.  Spring cleaning is a time honored tradition because many homes need it after being closed up all winter, but each homeowner goes about their spring cleaning in their own unique way.  Most spring cleaning checklists include much of the same tasks including decluttering, dusting and vacuuming, and kitchen and bathroom cleaning, but there are some areas that are commonly missed.  Listed below are the top 10 areas of a home that are typically ignored and should be included in your spring cleaning checklist.

Garbage Cans

Garbage cans gather grime and other filth from the garbage they hold and the cans are often overlooked during spring cleaning because liners protect them from much of the garbage.  However, overflows, leaks, and foul odors can affect garbage cans that are used repeatedly, making it important to work your cans into your spring cleaning checklist.  To clean your garbage cans effectively, take them outside and apply an antibacterial cleaner to the inside and outside of the cans.  After letting the cleaner sit for ten minutes, rinse the cans thoroughly and dry them before taking them back inside.

Medicine Cabinets

Medicine cabinets often accumulate medications and hygiene products that sit for years before being cleaned out.  Many homeowners clean their bathrooms as part of their spring cleaning which provides the perfect opportunity to go through your medicine cabinet to dispose of old or expired medication.  Keep in mind that old medication must be disposed of in a particular way and should never be flushed down the toilet because that could contaminate the ground water.  Instead, crush up the pills the best you can and put them in a bag with dirt, coffee grounds, or cat litter.  You may also take them to a pharmacy that disposes of old medication.

Blinds accumulate significant amounts of dust.

Blinds

The blinds in your home constantly gather dust which can make them appear dirty, and this dust is dispersed back into the air each time the blinds are opened.  Make sure you dust your blinds completely using a duster on both sides of the slats and remove any cobwebs or dust buildups in the corners.

Under and Behind Appliances

Throughout the year, debris ends up underneath and behind large appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, washing machines, dishwashers, and others.  A layer of grime may also form under kitchen appliances which is caused by cooking and food residue.  As you compete your spring cleaning, make sure you move these large appliances to clean the areas behind and below them.

Under the Sink

The area under the kitchen and bathroom sink is commonly used to store cleaning products and other extra supplies and it can get messy from clutter, moisture, and residue from the cleaners.  You should go through the area under your sink to throw away old or empty bottles of cleaner and clean the shelf.

Your oven should be cleaned inside and out.

Oven Cleaning

One of the most important appliances to add to your house cleaning checklist this spring is the oven.  The oven and stove top accumulate grease and grime from cooking that needs to be removed.  Use an oven cleaner to coat the inside and remove the knobs to let them soak in a solution of half water and half vinegar which can effectively remove the grease.  You should also thoroughly clean the stove top as well as the sides of the oven.

Mattress

The mattress constantly accumulates bacteria and should be cleaned regularly for sanitary reasons.  Spread baking soda over the entire mattress and after letting is sit for an hour, vacuum it thoroughly.  You can also spray your mattress with Febreeze of pure rubbing alcohol for further cleaning.

Dishwasher

Cleaning out your dishwasher should be done when you clean your kitchen this spring.  To clean your dishwasher, start by removing the grate, filter, and sprayer and clean the bottom of the dishwasher to remove any food or other residue.  Put the parts you removed in the sink to soak for half an hour in a mixture of hot water and 2 cups of vinegar.  Reinstall the parts and run an empty wash cycle with a bowl of 2 cups of vinegar to help sanitize and degrease the interior.

Door Frames and Trim

It can be very easy to overlook the door frames and trim throughout your home but they need to be cleaned because they gather dust.  Use a duster to dust the top and sides of the door frames as well as trim and molding.  If these areas have excess dirt, it can be removed with soap and water.

Air Duct Vents

The dust and other airborne debris that circulate in the air eventually make their way through your HVAC system and get trapped on vents and registers.  You can remove dust buildup from the vents by removing them and letting them soak in a mixture of hot water and soap.  Stubborn dirt can be scrubbed away with a toothbrush.

Many homeowners have already gotten a good start on their spring cleaning but if you have neglected any area on this list, make sure you go back through your home and clean these areas.  Spring cleaning provides an excellent opportunity to clean the commonly ignored areas along with the rest of your home for a much cleaner and healthier environment.  If you would like additional help to clean your home more thoroughly, you can contact a professional that provides carpet and upholstery cleaning services.  These services will result in the removal of dirt and debris from your carpeting and furniture for a cleaner home and healthier breathing air.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.