9 hidden spots that could be undermining your cleaning routine

Think you’ve got your cleaning routine sorted? Overlooked spots around your home can easily harbour dust, dirt, bacteria and microbes which can affect your family’s health. Not only that, but dust and dirt build-up can shorten your appliances’ lifespans and affect performance, costing you in the long run.

This guide covers nine areas of your home that are often overlooked and can lead to dust and grime build-up. Keep them on your radar and your home will be spick and span in no time.

Prevent dust and grime build-up in surfaces around your windows. Getty

You might be a pro at dusting your mantle and bookshelves, but there are plenty of surfaces in your home that you likely never think about. Add these to your cleaning repertoire:

• Ceiling fan blades collect a surprising amount of dust, and buildup can prevent them from working efficiently. An old pillow case is excellent for dusting blades. Simply slide the case over each blade at a time and wipe off dust.
• Wipe down skirting boards with a mix of dish soap and water and a microfibre cloth.
• Scrub kitchen cabinet doors and kick plates, especially around dishwashers and sinks where spills tend to happen.
• Remove grime, dust and debris from window tracks. Build-up can prevent your windows from closing properly, causing an air leak and making it harder to heat or cool your home.
• Similarly, free your shower door tracks from built up soap scum and dust to prevent the door from sticking when you open or close it.
• Wipe down walls, doors and doorframes.
• Clean behind and underneath appliances, where built-up dust and dirt can pose a fire hazard and lead to pests.

The kitchen tends to be one of the most high-traffic areas in the home, and stopping to deep clean it isn’t always easy—after all, it’s always in use!

Do these three things next time you clean your kitchen:

1. Unplug your toaster. Empty the crumb tray, then shake your toaster out upside down to dislodge further crumbs. Wipe down the counter underneath and behind the toaster, as crumbs can easily lure pests like cockroaches and mice into your home.
2. Place a microwavable bowl or mug filled with an equal mixture of white vinegar and water in the microwave and cook for five minutes. Let it sit for another two minutes, then wipe the entire inside of the microwave with a microfibre cloth.
3. Find your refrigerator drip tray and give it a solid scrub. Drip trays can be tricky to locate, so you may need to turn to your user manual to find it.

Regular descaling ensures optimal brewing temperature, pressure, and extraction for better tasting coffee. GETTY

If, like most Aussies, you’re a coffee addict, chances are you’ve got a coffee maker. Like all appliances, coffee makers are prone to mineral deposits, even in areas with soft water. You’ll need to descale yours regularly to keep your coffee delicious and your machine running smoothly.

Follow the descaling instructions for your coffee maker carefully, as you don’t want descaler in your morning brew!

To descale easier-to-access appliances, such as your kettle, add an equal amount of white vinegar and water, boil, and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Empty the kettle, refill it, boil, and then empty it again. Do this twice to avoid your next cuppa tasting like vinegar.

The bathroom likely gets a deep clean once in a while, but there are a few areas that often go overlooked. Next time you’re elbow deep in a bathroom clean, don’t forget:

• Toothbrush holders are a haven for germs and microbes. Wash thoroughly with dish soap and hot water, or pop them in the dishwasher.
• The floor around the toilet is full of germs. An antibacterial spray, wipe, or foam is perfect for this area.
• Shower curtains are just as prone to soap scum build-up as shower screens. Most curtains are washable, so throw them in the laundry and save yourself the scrubbing.
• Shower heads can easily get clogged by mineral deposits, especially if you live in a city with hard water. To remove, add an equal amount of vinegar and water to a plastic bag, attach it so the shower head is inside with an elastic band, string, or zip-tie, and allow to soak for about 30 minutes. Remove and scrub.

High-touch areas and surfaces are notorious for harbouring germs, so it’s important to wipe them regularly with an antibacterial wipe. Once a week is plenty, and a great defence against illnesses and germs, so grab a wipe and check off these spots:

• Light switches
• Door knobs
• Remote controls
• Cabinet handles
• Tops of rubbish bins
• Phone screens
• Keyboards

Once you’ve tackled the indoor culprits, head to the car and wipe down the gear stick and steering wheel.

Dust accumulation air conditioning filters significantly impacts performance. GETTY

Not only do dusty or grimy vents, ducts and exhausts decrease the efficiency of the appliance, but they can also release dust and bacteria into the air, triggering allergies and lowering your indoor air quality. Cleaning ducts can be time-consuming, so consider hiring a local, trusted duct cleaner for this job.

You should also regularly inspect and clean the vents and exhausts on your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. Kitchen exhausts often have removable filters that can be taken out and cleaned. If they’re beyond salvaging, replace them instead.

If your heating or air conditioning units need maintenance, it’s best to bring in a pro. A heating system specialist will know their way around your unit and can ensure it’s in top-notch condition. Similarly, air conditioning maintenance is best left to a qualified air conditioning service with the skills and knowledge to perform this task properly.

If your cleaning appliances are in less-than-stellar shape, they won’t clean as well. Your washing machine, vacuum cleaner, and dishwasher all need regular upkeep to ensure they’re performing well, which not only saves you the frustration of opening a dishwasher to a stack of still-dirty dishes but will keep your energy use down, too.

Complete these tasks once a month:

• Wipe down the inside of the washing machine seal and run it on a hygiene or clean cycle
• Clean your dishwasher filter and wipe down the spray arms
• Give your vacuum cleaner’s power nozzle a wipe with an antibacterial wipe
• Wash your mop head in the washing machine on hot

Allergy sufferers will understand the importance of regular rug and carpet cleaning. While a thorough vacuum is probably already part of your cleaning routine, steam cleaning your rugs and carpets helps eliminate dust, pet hair, dirt, and microbes and kills bacteria and viruses.

You can steam clean your carpet yourself or hire a professional carpet cleaner with the necessary skills and tools.

A little bit of sun can help kill unwanted bacteria and germs in your doona covers. GETTY

You likely wash your pillow and doona covers regularly, but what about what’s inside them? Yep, every now and again, the *actual* pillows and blankets need a wash, too. Don’t stop there, though! While you’re at it:

• Chuck throw blankets in the wash
• Wash sofa cushion covers, or book a local, trusted upholstery cleaner if your covers are not removable.
• Take down curtains and blinds and wash according to the instructions
• Dust lampshades, then wipe with a damp cloth