While tackling basic cleaning tasks don’t forget about these household items that are easy to miss.

Fabric Lunch Bag

Washing a lunch bag is something that can be forgotten about, but it can be done! Most can be tossed into the washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water but it’s a good idea to check any tags beforehand. Avoid putting it in the dryer and instead hang it up to dry. If you are washing a fabric lunch bag by hand, use gentle dishwasher detergent.

Reusable Shopping Bags

Any reusable shopping bags that are used for groceries could use a good cleaning, especially if they are being kept in the trunk of your car in between uses. USA Today reported findings from a study that found bacteria in 99 per cent of reusable bags tested; half carried coliform bacteria while 8 per cent carried E. coli. Start making it a cleaning habit to wash any reusable shopping bags in the washing machine with hot water.

Shower Curtain

A shower curtain can become covered in soap buildup and possible mildew. The good news is it’s simple to wash. You can either put it in the washing machine using warm water and gentle laundry detergent or you can wash it by hand using warm water, baking soda and a microfiber cloth. This cleaning task can be done once or twice a month.

Kitchen Sponge

Do you know what happens to your kitchen sponge after cleaning dirty dishes and wiping sticky surfaces?  It can become grimy and filled with a smorgasbord of bacteria, even more than your toilet. Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Director, Caroline Bloor recommends replacing cloths and sponges or washing them once a week, but they should be rinsed properly every day. While replacing can get costly, you can wash your kitchen sponge in a small solution of bleach and leave it in the sink overnight. Kitchen cloths can be tossed into the washing machine.

Refrigerator

Have a look inside your refrigerator to see if there are any spills or splatters that need to be cleaned up or any rotten food that needs to be tossed. Clean in sections by empting items, wiping down shelving and drawers with water, vinegar and a microfiber cloth and leave them out to dry. Don’t forget to clean the exterior as well.

Dishwasher

Frequent cleaning of your dishwasher can help it run efficiently and prevent possible germs. This can be done by filling up a large measuring cup with vinegar and placing it in either the top rack. Don’t put in any dishwasher detergent and let the machine run on a hot water cycle. The dishwasher drain could also use a good cleaning as well by using a damp cloth to remove any possible food messes. Cleaning your dishwasher can be done once or twice a month.

Washing Machine

Yes, your washing machine needs to be cleaned every once in a while. Depending on how often your washing machine gets used, you might need to do this once a week or biweekly. To wash it add two cups of white vinegar into the machine and use the large load and hot water setting. While the cycle runs, you can clean the top of the machine and the dials. After the cycle ends, pour a cup of baking soda into the machine and run it on a hot water cycle to help eliminate any leftover grime.

Gym Equipment

If you have any gym equipment at home, it’s important to remember to wipe down the machines. Even if it’s just you using them, it’s a good idea to sanitize the equipment to prevent possible germs. A simple cleaning solution you can use is a spray bottle filled with water and white vinegar. Spray the solution on to a microfiber cloth and wipe down the machine and use another dry microfiber cloth to wipe again. Another simple cleaning solution for gym equipment is to use store-bought wet wipes.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

Related Posts

7 Common Sick House Symptoms

Safe Food Handling in the Kitchen

Décor on a Dime: a Budget-Friendly Decorating Guide