Few people enjoy cleaning, but it’s something we’ve all got to do to keep our apartments in order and the air quality high. If you want to do a thorough job of cleaning your apartment, be sure to give attention to these oft-neglected details the next time you clean.
Air vents
Living in a rental apartment, you may not be responsible for changing your air filters. You should, however, wipe the vents clean with a dust rag from time to time. This prevents dust from dispersing throughout your apartment whenever your heating or cooling unit turns on. It should also help you breathe easier.
Baseboards
Sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping floors is an integral part of any apartment cleaning routine. Baseboards, door frames, and other molding in your home should be as well. Clean residue from spills and splashes using a Magic Eraser, vinegar, and warm water.
Ceiling fans
Dust loves to accumulate on the top side of ceiling fans, where it is easy to ignore. Use a microfiber cloth, dust rag, or old pillowcase to clean the blades of your fans. This is best accomplished when you haven’t used your fan in a while.
Curtains
Depending on the material and color of your curtains, dust can accumulate on them for months without your knowing. Some curtains can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Others need to be dry-cleaned. Care is material-specific, so do some research before cleaning.
Inside the couch
Keep your furniture clean by vacuuming both the furniture and the floor beneath it. For a thorough cleaning, be sure to remove or pull back cushions. Collect loose change and other random items most likely originating from your pockets, and then vacuum crumbs and debris.
Behind toilet
When is the last time you cleaned behind or underneath your toilet? If it’s been a while, use a cobweb catcher or Swiffer-style sweeper to rid these areas of dust and debris the next time you clean the top and inside of your toilet.
Washing machine
Washing machines are designed to help you with cleaning, so it’s understandable to forget you should clean them on occasion yourself. If your washing machine smells or the clothes you’ve washed smell funky after a completed cycle, it’s time to clean the machine. A dash of baking soda and some vinegar is typically all it takes to return a washing machine to its clean and odorless state.
Doorknobs
Cleaning doorknobs and handles is typically as simple as wiping them with an antimicrobial wipe or cloth. If you have old doorknobs or your door handles seem especially dirty, wash them with soapy water before sanitizing with a mixture of salt and white vinegar.
Dishwasher
The same rules apply for dishwashers as for washing machines. Clean out any debris that has accumulated on the spinning arms or under the dishwasher, wipe around the seal with baking soda and lemon juice, and then run an empty cycle with distilled white vinegar.
Wall switches
Light, fan, and other wall switches are unsuspecting traps for grease and bacteria. Wipe them down with a disinfecting wipe or rubbing alcohol and a paper towel every time you clean your apartment.
Window screens
Dirty window screens are similar to dirty air vents, and can really affect the air quality in your apartment. Every few months, pop them off their tracks and gently scrub them with warm soapy water in the bathtub. Before popping them back in, clean the tracks with a paper towel-wrapped toothbrush handle.
Trash cans
Taking out the trash is crucial to keeping rotting food smells and other unpleasant odors from taking over your apartment. If you start to notice that your trash can smells after taking out the trash, or you can see grime building up inside, it’s time to deep clean the receptacle. If you don’t have access to an outdoor hose, your best bet is probably a good washing in the bathtub.
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst