If you can’t go a day without vacuuming, then congrats, Kapitbahay — this is your life now. Once you’re used to making sure everything in your house is squeaky clean, it’s a habit you’ll never break. Unfortunately, no matter how great we are at wielding a vacuum, there are moments when our homes just never seem “clean enough” for our liking. Hay nako, saan ba tayo nagkukulang?
Chances are, it’s not so much as “not cleaning enough” as it is “not cleaning at the right spots.” This might be your sign to switch up your cleaning strategy a bit. Maybe there are some corners in your house that you’ve been forgetting to check. New year, new cleaning routine, right? So, if you ever wonder which parts of your home go mostly untouched, some commonly forgotten corners might accumulate dirt, bacteria, and allergens.
Doorknobs and Baseboards
Some things are hidden in plain sight, so they say. You see it daily, but think about it: Do you clean your walls and wall fixtures? (P.S. A light dusting doesn’t really count.) And to think, since these are technically the most exposed aspect of our homes, they accumulate so much dirt and grime!
Doorknobs become breeding grounds for gross bacteria and harmful viruses, especially since they’re so often touched. And while baseboards (the joints between the wall and floor) aren’t touched the same way, they collect dust and dirt. If you don’t want that, then dust and carefully sanitize your doors, handles, and baseboards during your general cleaning sessions.
Light Fixtures and Light Switches
It’s entirely understandable to overlook your light fixtures during cleaning routines. We get it — given their high-up positions on the ceiling, it requires effort to grab a stool and reach into every nook and cranny. Plus, it may seem less pressing compared to more eye-level cleaning tasks. We might think it’s okay to just skip it since it doesn’t look dirty from afar, right?
But as with anywhere else in your house, dust can accumulate in these fixtures. Aside from presenting as an allergen, it can also attract unwanted insects such as moths, flies, or beetles. Similarly, your light switches can be a breeding ground for bacteria since they’re frequently used but not cleaned. We know it’s inconvenient, but paying attention to these areas will help you ensure a brighter, more hygienic home. It can also help with making your lighting fixtures last longer!
The Books (and Other Anik Anik) on Your Shelf
Kaway-kaway sa mga mahilig mag-display ng books, but never touch them as often as they should. We know. We’re guilty of it, too. But more than that, that could only mean one thing — another area in your house silently accumulating dirt and grime. Before you know it, the pages of your precious books are all yellowed and filled with dust clouds.
The same goes for any other accessories and decor on the shelf. If you’re a fan of collecting prized figures and cute souvenirs (yes, we’re looking at you, Sonny Angels and POP MART enthusiasts), accumulation of dust can eventually damage the quality of your collection. Although it might not directly affect your figures, leaving them dirty and unchecked in a humid climate such as ours can sooner or later lead to discoloration or paint erosion.
Gently dusting the covers and surfaces of your books and collectibles while wiping down every corner of your display shelves keeps them always looking fresh and inviting. Plus, when you touch them, hindi ka na mangangati over the powder of dust that covers them. Not only is your shelf hazard-free now — it’ll also be so well-polished you’ll see it practically sparkling. Now you can go ahead and read those books without the ick.
Electronic Devices and Accessories
Nothing says fun and productive like a clean work and entertainment station, right? While we’re sure you like to polish your desk and wipe your TV free of dust every now and then, the cleaning routine shouldn’t end there. You have to check the devices that come with it — keyboards, remote controls, extension cords, and even your charging cables. These peripherals can gather dust and dirt that can fall inside small crevices between the buttons and tears. Not only it is prone to allergens — the grime can also cause malfunction or even permanent damage to your devices.
Cleaning devices might be intimidating at first, but finding a regular schedule can mitigate the possibly of prying them open for a deep clean. Use disinfectant wipes or a mixture of alcohol and water to clean the surfaces of those devices. And, of course, remember to unplug electronic devices to avoid any delikado moments. If done more often, they’re a breeze to clean, so you don’t have to spend tedious minutes polishing everything perfectly. Bonus point: This can also help you extend the lifespan of your gadgets. Odiba?
Underneath the Ref, Washing Machine, and Other Fixtures
Imagine, one day, you’re just minding your business in the kitchen (or the bathroom). Suddenly, there’s an ipis out and about trying to ruin your day. Yuck! And by the time you find him, there will be an entire colony of them waiting for the right moment to pounce. Wherever did they come from? Most likely in dark, humid, and narrows gap somewhere in the room.
So, Kapitbahay, don’t let this happen to you. Check beneath your refrigerator, washing machine, kitchen cupboards, bathroom cabinets, and almost any crevice you normally ignore. Since cockroaches are also attracted to crumbs, take the time to sweep and mop underneath these fixtures, moving them if needed. Now you can say bye-bye to potential pest problems.
Be a Pro at Cleaning with the Help of Home Buddies
Want more A+ tips and tricks from your fellow Kapitbahays? Or maybe you want to share more cleaning hacks and best practices? Whatever it is, you’re always welcome in our Facebook community! Come join in on the fun — we promise there’s much to learn and laugh about.
