12 Cleaning Tasks that Can Be Easily Overlooked
Note: This is a guest post from Dana White of A Slob Comes Clean.
As a teenager, I worked at a camp. A very clean camp.
I learned a lot over those summers. I lived by the detailed
checklists we were given that told us exactly what to clean and how to clean
it.
It was a magical time in my life, and I remember almost every
moment fondly.
Almost.
The bedrooms in our staff cabin underwent daily inspections,
and I still feel a little heat in my face and grumpiness in my heart when I
remember being scolded for my messy bunk.
I doubt the scolding was much of a scolding, but I took it
hard because I was so genuinely confused. I couldn’t understand what had caused
me to fail the inspection. When I asked the inspector, the look on her face
clearly showed that she couldn’t understand what I didn’t understand. She
listed off multiple “obvious” things that I had neglected to do.
They were not obvious to me. Obviously.
As I became an adult with my own home, I learned that I had
legitimate issues with not seeing things the way others see them. (Slob Vision is a
real thing.) I became paranoid about missing cleaning tasks that should be
obvious.
I’ve come a long way, and by keeping up with daily tasks and
getting clutter out of my home, I’m much more aware of what needs to be done. I’ve
also chilled out a lot and realized it’s more important to welcome people into
a home with a potentially-overlooked mess than it is to keep them out for fear
of forgetting.
But a list helps. So here’s mine. Here’s a list of cleaning tasks that can be easily overlooked, spring (with all of its natural cleaning energy) is a great time to tackle them.
I’ll start with the tasks that are most visible. That’s how I prioritize all of my cleaning and decluttering efforts. I call it the Visibility Rule. Progress in visible areas increases my cleaning energy and inspires me to keep going.
12 Cleaning Tasks that Can Be Easily Overlooked
Doorknobs
A doorknob and the grime that somehow gathers around it may
be the first thing a guest sees. It’s annoying that hands I wash all the time
get grime on things they touch, but it’s also satisfying to wipe that grime
away.
Light Switch Covers
Again with the finger grime. I’m sure there’s a scientific
explanation involving body oil and skin cells, but I don’t want to talk about
that because it grosses me out. Just clean your light switch covers.
Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans
I’m a big fan of turning on my ceiling fan in a pinch if I forget
to dust it, but maybe you’re not as lucky as I am to be at an age where you can
realistically call Hot Flash on a cool day. If you are paranoid about sending
dust chunks flying, use a pillow case to do the job and catch the chunks
inside. (Just don’t forget to shake it out into the trash.)
If glass light fixtures are easily removed and replaced,
stick them in the dishwasher and they’ll come out sparkly. While I often don’t
notice a slightly dirty light fixture, clean and shiny ones get my attention.
The Back of the Bathroom Door
It feels like the back of the bathroom door doesn’t qualify
as visible. But it’s totally visible to someone who is in the bathroom. I don’t
want to talk (or think) about how the door gets dirty, I’ll just tell you to
clean it.
Plant Dust
Real ones or fake ones, I feel like plants should be self-cleaning,
but somehow they aren’t. Dust them.
Tops of Curtains
Windows usually get attention during spring cleaning, but
don’t miss the tops of your curtains. You could wash the curtains if they’re
washable (and hang them right back up to dry), but if you’re not going to do
that, at least dust the tops.
Window Sills
Grab a handheld vacuum and clean your window sills, especially ones behind curtains. That’s where bugs go to die.
Let’s move on to some things that aren’t as visible, but quietly get dirty and can really benefit from the focus of spring cleaning:
Silverware Trays
How exactly do crumbs end up in a place where only clean utensils
go? I’m not here to solve that mystery, just to remind you that it happens. If your
silverware tray is dishwasher safe, run it through a cycle. If not, wipe it
out.
Dishwasher and Washing Machine
It feels like dishwashers and washing machines shouldn’t need
to be cleaned because they deal with soap and water on the regular. But just
like a bathtub, they do. Both will look better and perform better once they
have been cleaned. Usually, it’s as simple as running a cycle with a special
cleaner.
Walls
Dust your walls. I was upset, too, when I realized dust could
collect on vertical surfaces, but being mad about it didn’t make my house look
better as much as running a dry mop along my walls. The whole room looks
brighter (and a little less fuzzy) when the walls have been dusted.
What are some things you forget to clean?
***
Dana K. White is an author, podcaster, speaker, and (much to her own surprise) a Decluttering Expert. In a desperate attempt to get her own home under control, Dana started blogging as “Nony” (short for anonymous) at A Slob Comes Clean in 2009. Today, Dana shares realistic home management strategies and a message of hope for the hopelessly messy in her books: Decluttering at the Speed of Life and How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind.
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