15 Places that we forget to clean almost always and accumulate a lot of dirt

The fridge

One of the most common cleaning mistakes in the kitchen is not cleaning the refrigerator, one of those places that we almost always forget to clean and accumulate a lot of dirt. Although it may seem very clean at first, the refrigerator is a nest of germs and bacteria.

To keep it disinfected, it is recommended to clean it at least once a month with a mixture of water and baking soda, one of the homemade cleaning products that never fails.

The extractor hood

Another place that we almost always forget to clean and accumulate a lot of dirt is the extractor hood.

To do this quickly and easily, first soften the fat. Before cleaning it, cook a saucepan with water and the juice of a couple of lemons and let it boil for a while with the hood on. The filters can be soaked in water with a degreaser or white vinegar, another very effective household cleaning product, or cleaned in the dishwasher (discover things that you would never say can be washed in the dishwasher). And then clean it inside and out.

The oven and microwave

It is also very common not to look inside the oven or the microwave. To avoid getting so dirty, put parchment paper and silver paper instead of baking directly on the trays. And use the microwave hood to prevent splashing when you heat food.

First of all, review them after each use so that grease and dirt do not accumulate.
To clean the oven, apply a paste based on water and bicarbonate, leave it on overnight and rinse (it is one of the tricks to clean the oven while you sleep).
A homemade cleaning trick to clean the microwave is to put a cup full of white vinegar inside and turn the microwave on full power for a minute or so. Then you just have to wipe the inside with a damp cloth and … like new!

Discover here more tricks to clean the oven, the extractor hood and the hob.

Garbage cans

Although they are one of the kitchen utensils we use the most to get rid of dirt, we hardly ever remember to clean them, which is why they have the dubious honor of being part of the list of the dirtiest places in the house.

Disinfecting them regularly, at least once a week or whenever you see them dirty, is key to keeping them germ-free. And if you want the trash can to always smell good, don't miss our infallible trick.

The shelf

Like the refrigerator or the refrigerator, the place where we keep or store food and supplies is one of those places that we almost always forget to clean and accumulate a lot of dirt. There can be everything from expired food to food scraps, to dust and mites or other insects that feed on them.

When you do the weekly shopping, take the opportunity to review it and rearrange things so that what is about to expire is closer to hand than what you just finished. And one every one or two months, take everything out and thoroughly clean the interior. It is a perfect time to organize the pantry and keep it in order.

The washing-machine

Many people think that the washing machine cleans itself, but nothing could be further from the truth. If you don't give it a run from time to time, it can build up mold, among other dangerous pathogens, and end up with rotting parts of your mechanism.

As a general rule, it is recommended to clean it thoroughly at least every three months, and whenever you see it dirty, moldy or smell bad (some of the signs that it is not too clean). To do this, you have to review it from the outside; clean the door, the filter, the bucket and the detergent dispensers, as well as the rubber of the washing machine; also disinfect the interior, and dry and ventilate it well, one of the keys to fighting mold. Here are all the details on how to clean the washing machine step by step.

The screen and the shower curtain

The shower screen is a magnet for lime and the shower curtain is the perfect home for mold. The constant humidity makes it easy to proliferate.

To avoid limescale, wipe it dry after each use (you can have a squeegee in the bathroom to do right after you shower) or scrub it with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. And to clean the curtain, rub with a mixture of soap, water and baking soda every 15 days. And it is also a good idea to change it every six months.

Tiles

How often do you clean the tiles in the kitchen and bathroom? Most people answer that it is almost never and should be done. In the kitchen, fat accumulates. And in the bathroom, mold and other germs. And, despite being the place we use to get rid of germs and dirt from the body, part of these do not go down the drain, but rather accumulate on their surfaces. And also in an ideal medium for the proliferation of viruses and bacteria: humid and warm.

The kitchen tiles, it is enough to clean them every two or three months. Those in the shower and bath, on the other hand, it is recommended to clean them well at least once a month, paying special attention to the joints, which is where mold tends to proliferate more easily.

The mattresses

Yes, yes, although many people do not think of doing it, cleaning the mattress is mandatory if you want to have a sleep that is as healthy as it is restorative. And is that the accumulation of mites and other harmful germs can cause allergies, skin problems and pathologies of various kinds.

Don't make bed right after you get up. Leave the bed unmade and open to air it out for a few minutes and dry off any traces of sweat or moisture.
Shake and vacuum the mattress weekly. Taking advantage of the weekly change of sheets (find out how often the clothes have to be washed), do not put them clean immediately. Let the mattress air out for a while, shake it, and vacuum it to remove dust, mites, and other accumulated particles.
And clean it with baking soda, another of the most popular home cleaning tricks. How? Sprinkle it on the mattress, letting it act for a few hours so that it absorbs dirt and bad smells, and then removing it with the help of a vacuum cleaner.

If you want to know more, here we tell you how to clean a mattress with the most effective tricks.

The shoemaker

There is no doubt that the place where we keep our shoes is another of the places that we almost always forget to clean and accumulate a lot of dirt. There we put the shoes with which we have been walking down the street and accidentally picking up all kinds of germs.

To keep it at bay, try to give it a good cleanup every one to two months. So that so much dirt doesn't get in, put a doormat outside the front door, rub your shoes before entering, and clean it periodically by shaking and vacuuming it. And to remove germs and bad odors from the doormat, you can sprinkle baking soda, leave it on for a few hours, and then vacuum.

The mezzanines and the upper part of the cabinets

Both the attics and the upper part of the cabinets are another of the places that we almost always forget to clean. They are usually a nest of dust and mites, but either because of their difficult access or because of ignorance, they almost never enter the cleaning task list and, at least a couple of times a year it would be convenient to give them a review.

To clean them, you can use dust traps that will allow you to access them more easily; Or, wrap the broom in a chamois to remove the dust and tie it with a rubber band.

The bottom of the bed and the sofa

As with the height of the cabinets, the bottom of the bed, the sofa and other large furniture are places that we almost always forget to clean or for which we never find the time due to the difficulty of moving or accessing them.

As with the mezzanines, you can use a duster or a broom with the brush wrapped in a dust cloth. So you can more easily get to the last corner. And to move them without scratching the surfaces, put a cloth under each leg and thus you will move them more easily and without taking risks.

Rugs and curtains

Both curtains and rugs tend to be cleaned infrequently and collect a lot of dirt.

The curtains are recommended to be washed a couple of times a year, coinciding with the spring and autumn wardrobe changes, for example. And you can also vacuum them from time to time to remove dust or one of those rolls that are used to catch lint from clothes.
The carpets, in addition to sweeping or vacuuming them, should be disinfected. First, you can move from one end to the other a squeegee like the ones used for windows or the shower screen. This way you drag all the dirt that may have been trapped. And then you sprinkle sodium bicarbonate on top, let it work for at least an hour, and remove it with a vacuum cleaner.

Discover more tips to clean carpets easily and effectively without going through the dry cleaner.

The bookstores

If you have a bookstore, think about how often you give it a good review. Most people hardly ever do it and it is a veritable nest of dust.

At least once a year, take the books out, shake them lightly or brush them with a feather duster, clean the shelves, and put them back. You can take advantage of this annual cleaning to take inventory and get rid of the books you no longer want.

The upholstery of the sofa and other seats

And finally, we must not forget the upholstery of the sofa, armchairs and other upholstered seats. As, in many cases, they cannot be removed and washed, we completely forget to clean them and that they are one of the places that accumulate more dirt due to frequent contact.

Although you cannot remove them, once a week, remove the cushions from the sofa and armchairs, shake them well and vacuum the entire structure to collect dust, as well as the remains of skin, lint and food that accumulate. And to disinfect and remove bad odors, you can sprinkle baking soda on top, let it act for a few hours, and then vacuum.