We all lead busy lives and clean the best we can. We know how to clean and think we have it down pat, even if we don’t mop the floors as often as we should. However, there are several places or things in your home that most people forget to clean..and we really need to be cleaning them! Here are 5 things you shouldn’t forget to clean (don’t worry - we’ll give you tips on how to clean them):
1. Reusable grocery bags
Most people will probably never clean these bags. I bet it hasn’t even crossed most of your minds. After all, they just hold groceries. That is part of the issue, actually! Think about it: you put in your produce, raw meats, cleaning products, etc, then you put them in the cart (who knows when that has been cleaned last!), to your trunk, and then to your counter to unload. And, if you’re like me, you also use those bags to hold other things, like when you clean out your car or need a bag for the pool. These bags are fantastic multipurpose bags, but they do hold on to germs. Luckily, they are pretty easy to clean, even if you have a zillion of them. For the ones that are just plastic, wipe them down with your favorite green wipe or all-purpose spray. For the fabric ones, you can put them in those big laundry bags and wash them in your washer. Or you can fill your bathtub with your favorite soap and let them soak for a bit before hand rinsing them. They will look brand new and be germ-free!
2. Washing Machine
I know what you’re thinking. Washing machine? But my clothes get washed in there and they’re clean. Why do I need to wash the machine? Because it can get full of mold, mildew, and smells from your now clean clothes! What we wear sees a lot throughout the day: work, school, playground, stores, etc. That can build up over time. It’s best to clean your washer once a month if you often wash clothes that get heavily soiled (think construction worker, shop worker, cloth diapers, etc). It’s pretty easy to clean. Run the biggest empty load of hot water through the machine. While it’s filling, add 3-4 cups of white vinegar to it and let it mix for a couple of minutes. For a deeper clean, add ½ cup baking soda and let it mix again for a few minutes. Open the lid so the machine stops and let it soak for about an hour. During this time, get out your favorite cloth and wipe down the external parts of the machine. After it’s done soaking, let the cycle finish and then run an empty load with nothing in it but hot water. You’re done! And the machine looks great! Keep in mind, your steps will vary if you have a front loader. Check out your manual to see how you can clean it.
3. Ice Cube Tray
Now this one even surprised me! When was the last time you actually washed your ice cube tray? I don’t mean run it under some water and then toss it in the freezer. I mean actually wash it! Make sure to wash it with your favorite green dish soap so it doesn’t trap in those freezer smells.
4. The Vent Over the Stove
This one I remember mostly because the light hits mine at a certain angle and at my height, I can see ALL. THE. DUST. It’s scary how fast that it can accumulate! Whenever you’re wiping down your counters, make sure to wipe down the top of the vent too. It will surprise you how much dust is hiding up there!
5. Shower Curtain
Like your washing machine, it’s easy to not think about cleaning your shower curtains because they’re in a place where you get clean. They can be breeding grounds for mold and mildew if not taken care of. If you have a fabric curtain, wash like you would a sheet. For plastic liners or curtains, you can wipe them down with your favorite green cleaning wipe or all-purpose cleaner. Just make sure to leave them open to air dry. Actually, after every shower or bath, close your curtains so they can dry properly. This will help prevent mildew from coming back so fast.
When you think about it, there are a bunch of things or places around your home that are pretty common to forget to clean. What are some of the things you forget? Leave a comment below. We’d love to see!
XOXO,
Your Squeaky Green Team