Spring is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to refresh those aspects of our lives that we easily overlook on a daily basis. From our wardrobe come our skin care routine arrive our home, everything is fair game to refresh. I’d rather spend a sunny Saturday morning cleaning my house than dusting, mopping, and vacuuming on my usual weekly rotation. You know what I mean — those are the things that can build up into dirt and go unnoticed for months. So I’ve put together a list of 10 things you forget to clean in your house (if you’re like me) – but you really should.
It’s easy to think of spring cleaning as just another chore to add to your “to-do” list. But why not flip the script and see it as turning your home into a sanctuary — a place where you can always find comfort and joy? By taking this more mindful approach to spring cleaning, it becomes an act of self-care. You might be surprised when you flip the mattress over, vacuum hard-to-reach dirt and let the sun shine through the freshly cleaned windows!
Our Spring Cleaning Refresh is sponsored by Field & Future, HE-B’s new clean and green product line. This is the largest line of household, personal care and children’s products made without harsh chemicals. I especially like the fact that eco-friendly, non-toxic household products are now available (and affordable) on our weekly grocers (I personally love the products). lavender-scented cleaning products keep my house smelling fresh without harsh chemicals.) So ready to de-germ? Put on your gloves and put on some soothing tunes — do it!
Here are the top 10 things you forget to clean — and exactly how to clean them.
Garbage can
By its very nature, the trash can is possibly one of the dirtiest parts of any home. We all know this to be true, but perhaps this is not an area where we give much thought to cleaning up. It’s time to tackle uncleanness once and for all. Start by placing your emptied trash can in the sink and add a few drops of dish soap. This is where Field & Future dish soap by HEB Clutch included.
What do I love more than the scent of Honeysuckle & Rose? The fact is that all of their products, including dish soaps, do not contain any harsh chemicals and are made with 100% plant-based ingredients. Even if you don’t realize it, we’re opening and closing our trash many times a day — and you certainly don’t want to come into contact with anything that’s toxic or has chemicals in it. After you’ve added your dish soap, simply scrub with a sponge and use a sink spray to remove dirt.
Oh — and don’t forget the bag when you next start filling your trash can! I love Field & Future by HE-B’s disposable bag. Literally, a trash can liner is made from… trash. Clean and sustainable waste? Absolutely one thing.
Dishwasher Faucet
I can almost guarantee that faucets aren’t on your spring cleaning list. If possible, make this notoriously hard-to-clean part of your kitchen a little easier by removing the faucet. Then, spray with an all-purpose cleaner and use warm water and a sponge to rinse. For this task, although I am determined to get the job done thoroughly and achieve super clean results, I don’t want to clean my sink. Dissolution? The Field & Future by HEB . non-scratch pad.
Pro tip: If there’s any dirt around the faucet (I know), try using a toothbrush to clean it. Seshes sudsing sparkling clean awaits!
Under the furnace
While you can easily ignore the under-oven area in your kitchen for months, I recommend tearing off the tape and trying this simple trick for a shiny, shiny finish. Wet a sponge and spray with an all-purpose cleaner. Then, take a deep breath and run the sponge along the bottom edge of the oven. If necessary, rinse the sponge in the sink, spray again, and thoroughly clean the floor underneath the oven. Finish with a paper towel to dry.
Cabinet inside
Prior to organize your pantry and all its components, make sure you have a clean platform to start with. First thing, Marie Kondo your cabinets and take everything out! Use a multi-purpose spray bottle to spray on shelves and inside of cabinet doors. Then make a few swipes from your clean tissue roll.
Remote control
One of the other things that can easily be done: your collection of remotes. Not to delve into a potentially difficult subject, but let’s pause for a moment to think about all the people who are reaching for those remotes every day. Ready to clean it? Think so. Same goes for your cabinets, spray your sponge with an all-purpose spray and *thoroughly* wipe down your remote. Having trouble getting into crevices and between buttons? Use a toothpick to remove dirt from around the buttons. Paper towels for victory (wipe dry)!
Lights
Notice that your light fixtures are getting a little brighter? Swap out your bulbs (a good thing to add to your spring to-do list, by the way!), or clean up dust that has collected over the past few months. All-purpose spray + tissue = your ticket to lighting up your home with light.
Wishing for a more comprehensive clean? Fill the sink with warm water with a few drops of dish soap. Remove your furniture, let it soak for a few minutes, then rinse and dry. Remember to dry them completely with a paper towel before putting them back in place.
Throw blankets
Your throw blankets are probably the cleanest low maintenance and highest reward on this list! The washing machine is your best friend here (but is it really not always?). While you’ll certainly want to toss these in the washing machine as part of a spring clean, take this as an opportunity to set a reminder on your phone or in your planner to make it a habit. twice a week.
Yoga carpet
I won’t lie — until recently, I started thinking long and hard about working out 3-4 times a week which means I sweat on my yoga mat… a lot. Similar to throwing blankets, this is something you should do more often than cleaning alone in the spring. While an all-purpose spray and wiping with a paper towel is a quick, surefire way to get a good clean, you can also DIY your own dedicated yoga mat cleaner.
In a ratio of 1 – 4, mix vinegar or witch hazel with water in a spray bottle. I like to add a few drops Field & Future by HE-B’s Breathe Essential Oils. It’s made with eucalyptus, lemon, mint, rosemary, and tea tree—in other words, all natural scents I like to use when I’m working with dogs.
Toothbrush holder
If you’re using a manual toothbrush, the special dish where you dispose of your toothbrush can hide a lot of residue. And while I’ll cover the dirty details, dirt often means bacteria, viruses, and coliforms (Salmonella and E. coli) are also lurking. Fill a sponge with dish soap and rinse your toothbrush holder in the sink. For a deeper clean, run it through the dishwasher.
Hairbrush
Last, but certainly not least. With the naked eye, you will notice all the bristles gathered on your brush, also product residue, dust mites (I know), dead skin cells and oil build up after repeated use. In a sink full of warm water, mix a few drops of shampoo or dish soap together. Place your hairbrush(s) in the sink and rub them with your hands until they become soft. Soak for five minutes and rinse until soap is gone. Spread a towel over the countertop and let the brush dry completely.
Remember that with all these often forgotten areas and your big and lofty spring cleaning goals, perfection is not the goal. Instead, I do my best to focus on progress and enjoy the obvious satisfaction of completing your projects by the end of the week when you can. When you take the pressure off to get your spring cleaning done as quickly as possible, you’ll be on your way to a beautiful home that embodies all of your hard work.
