The practice of an annual clean-up of the home may have come from countries with a cold winter (spring cleaning), but there’s no reason for a dusty country like India to desist. But while looking at the whole picture, a few bits and bobs can fall through. Focus on these oft-neglected areas to give your house a thorough deep clean ahead of the festive season.
Handles and switches
These are hidden in plain sight. You touch the handles of refrigerator, doorknobs, and switches all day long. All the bacteria from your hands go on to these surfaces. Clean them with a microfibre cloth and a cleaning solution regularly.
Atop the cabinets
You can’t spot the dust on top of the kitchen cabinet or a bookshelf, unless it is integrated with the ceiling. If you only clean during Diwali, there will be ample dust, droppings, and whatnot there. Try to clean that space often too.
Make-up bags
Just throwing old make-up away is not enough nor is organising stuff neatly. The inside of the make-up bag needs to be cleaned too.
The applicators have your dead skin and bacteria and they transfer to the bags, too. Along with the brushes, wash the bag every now and then.
Gym bags
Even if you wash your socks and sweaty clothes with due diligence, the inside of the bag is just gross. You toss your dirty clothes, shoes and socks in them. Clean the bag oftener.
Laundry baskets
Yours and your family’s sweaty, soiled, and dirty clothes go into a laundry basket or bag. The clothes come out clean from the washing machine but what about the place that came in contact with them? Disinfect them after every wash if you can.
Electronics
You clickety-clack away all day long on the mobile phone touchscreen, keyboard or even while flipping channels. All the bacteria from your fingers are transferred there.
And then there are some secret slobs who use the phone or remote while eating. You know who you are! Clean these surfaces with wet wipes.
Washing machine
It seems ironic that a machine that gives us clean clothes should be dirty. But it is. It’s warm and wet inside after you have taken the clothes out and banged the door shut. Breeding ground for fungi and bacteria!
Once a month, run a cycle with hot water and bleach to kill the bacteria. Wipe the drum thoroughly and keep the machine open for a bit.
Toothbrush holder
We have heard about the toothbrush picking up bacteria from the toilet when it’s flushed and germs are released in the air.
But ever thought that after you wash your toothbrush and place it in the holder, the water drips inside and things get messy?
Exercise mat
This is for those of you who exercise regularly. You keep your sweaty feet on the mat and dead skin also sloughs off. Scrub it as soon as you can.
Coffee maker
Wake up and smell the coffee! Your coffee maker is dirtier than you think courtesy the dark and wet confines.
That’s exactly where the bacteria breed. Mix water and vinegar 50/50 and run it through the machine.