For those of you who don’t know, Fisherman and I have owned a residential cleaning business for nearly 14 years. I was motivated to write this post because of scenarios that come up time and time again without fail.
It goes something like this:
Me (to potential customer): Has your home been cleaned professionally within the last three months?
Customer: No, but I clean it regularly. It’s not dirty and it shouldn’t take them more than an hour or two at the most…
Suffice it to say it does take more than an hour or two.
I don’t think people deliberately try to misrepresent what their home’s condition is really like. They just don’t realize there’s cleaning, and then there’s cleaning. Yes, they wipe down their stove top and counter tops, maybe even clean behind their toilet from time to time. But there are lots of areas that aren’t as easy to get to that need cleaning. Maybe not every week or even every month, but they do need some TLC every once in a while.
The good news is, you don’t need a lot of time or special equipment to get the job done. Just a mild all-purpose cleaner, a little water, a duster and maybe a magic eraser and you’re good to go!
Have you checked these areas lately?
1. Base Boards:
I’d have to say this is the number one area that is often overlooked. Most of us (me included!) just don’t enjoy bending down to clean. Have you ever heard the term ‘strike zone cleaning’? It just means we tend to concentrate on the strike zone area to clean, and avoid over our heads and below our knees. Because baseboards are low to the ground, they accumulate lots of dust, and pretty quickly! Try to get to this area at least every two weeks. Hand wiping isn’t always necessary though. Just use a lambs wool duster and only hand wipe maybe once a month or so, depending on your particular needs and circumstances.
2. Door Knobs:
Think about it for a minute. How many times a day do hands touch the doorknobs in your home? If you have a large family, the answer is A LOT! Clean these areas as often as you can.
3. Light Switches:
Stop reading right now and go take a look at your light switches. Did you notice they were looking a little worse for wear? Thought so. Get a damp rag and give them a quick wipe. Takes just a minute and they’ll look so much better and be more sanitary too.
4. Chair Legs:
Remember that strike zone? Well, guess what? Chair legs are pretty low to the ground and are often overlooked.
5. Under Couch Cushions:
If you have pets or small children, try to get to this area every two weeks. If not, once a month is perfect.
6. Behind Refrigerator:
This area is overlooked for obvious reasons. Who wants to move a refrigerator?? If you’re able to get to the back without moving it, just use a duster to remove some of the dust bunnies. If you have to move it, let’s face it, once a year is good enough in my book.
7. Lampshades and Bulbs:
Lampshades attract dust like honey attracts ants. Dust these at least every two weeks.
8. Grease Filters:
Make it easy on yourself. Put these in the dishwasher. If you cook a lot, do this every two weeks.
9. Picture Frames:
The tops of picture frames, especially if they’re hanging, get overlooked because we usually can’t see it. Take a few minutes once a month to tackle this job. Oh, and don’t forget to straighten them out when you’re done or I’ll have the picture police at your door (that would be me).
10. Handles:
The handles on your oven, refrigerator, microwave and cabinets take a beating. Clean these weekly, or better yet, every day when you’re cleaning up after dinner.
11. Windows:
Here’s one area you don’t need to do too often, once or twice a year, depending on where you live, should be enough.
12. Shelves:
A couple of times a year or more, take everything off your shelves and dust. While you’re at it, think about if you really need or even want the items you’re dusting. Now would be a great time to declutter!
13. Mats:
Just because you can’t always see how dirty your door mats are, trust me, they’re filthy. Wash the mats you can, and shake out the ones you can’t. Do this at least 3-4 times a year. Mats aren’t that expensive, so consider replacing them fairly regularly.
14. Ridges on Cabinets:
If you have raised door panels on your kitchen cabinets, armoires, etc., lots of dust settles there. Use a duster regularly, and hand wipe at least every 6-8 weeks.
15. Under Beds and Furniture:
There’s that strike zone thing again! Vacuum if you’re able, but be careful you don’t nick the furniture! Use a lambs wool duster for areas a vacuum can’t reach. Every 2 months should be enough for most homes, but if you have pets that shed you might need to up that a bit.
I know this list seems pretty long, doesn’t it? But I promise most of these things can be done in an afternoon or less. I’m a big believer in doing a little at a time so it doesn’t get overwhelming and you end up doing nothing. Has this happened to you?
I know there are other areas of the home that can be added also. Can you think of any?
Selene Galindo says
Yikes! I better go look at my light switches and chair legs!!
Thanks for the friendly reminder!
Andi says
Well, I scored high on the floor rugs and behind the fridge. I HATE cleaning the cabinet doors. But I swear I thought you were going to tell me to clean out my ears and belly button too.
Wait. I have to clean the windows? Can I wait till I get in my new house where they’ll actually tilt in?
Whew…thanks…
-andi 🙂
Baye says
Great list. Baseboards are so easy to forget. I’ve given them a time of their own just like the windows.
Angela says
Baseboards is my downfall….I hate to clean them….especially in the bathrooms! Great tips!!!~~Ang
Jane says
Great advice! When I’m cleaning my living room and family room, I have a damp cloth with me to get any coffee rings or crumbs off the tables. I also have a little swipe on the sofa and chair cushions…it gets the surface dust before it can get embedded.
XO,
Jane
Denise says
My kitchen counters have a fancy edge with ridges. I’m forever digging along the ridge with my fingernail inside a paper towel. Makes me crazy. I’m now getting new counters. I specified “plain edge!”.
Also, I hadn’t thought about the grease filters over my stove. One day I took a look and was horrified. I soaked them in Formula 409 (really cuts the grease) and scrubbed with a brush. Now I’ll toss them in the dishwasher instead. Much easier.
Thanks for the great tips!!!
Toodie says
Um, I would really appreciate it if you would stop looking in my house when I’m not here. I know you were here because NOBODY else would be talking about my baseboards and light switches like that. And those chair legs? I can’t help it if the dogs won’t let me keep them clean! Sheesh!
I can honestly say that if I had a cleaning service, I would be over the moon! Wanna come over?
Doreen Sargente says
I know all about your baseboards and chair legs…Baxter clued me in. Shame, shame, shame!
I’m on my way.
Toodie says
That stinkin’ Baxter! I KNEW I shouldn’t have let him on here to talk to you!
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Wow Doreen! You got me good with #s 5,6 and 7. I have two small male dogs so I figured out about the baseboards and chair legs real quick. Being in the medical field we’re aware of the germs on door knobs, handles, light switches and other places people tend to touch a lot. Finally, my husband is asthmatic, and also suffers from allergies, so vacuum-dusting every nook and cranny is a must in my house because a bad allergic reaction to dust can trigger an asthma attack. I think it’s a great idea to get a professional company to come in and do a “real cleaning” once in a while. I wish I leaved in your vicinity Doreen because with your attention to detail I’m sure your cleaning crew provide superb service.
Doreen@househoneys says
So how is it I didn’t know you were in the medical field Vashti? You’re full of surprises! But I predict you’ll be writing full time to keep up with the demand for more of your great work and the medical filed will have to take a back seat.
As anal as I am about cleaning, I’m a lot worse about how things look. Drives me nuts when shades or blinds are resting on the window handle, or when pillows aren’t straight, or when tags to bath rugs are showing. I could go on, but suffice it to say working for me is not for sissies. 😉
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Well, writing is definitely has been my passion since I was a little girl. I’m a registered medical sonographer (pays the bills). Hopefully, if all goes well I could eventually write full time.
Those quirks are exactly what makes you so good at what you do. Hopefully your employees can keep up with you. Haha! 😀
Ceciia says
How about the top of the refrigerator? I can’t see mine and when I do climb up on a ladder to get something out of the cabinet, I’m grossed out by the amount of dust up there. I’m trying to remember that area when I clean!