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CNET
5 days ago
- General
- CNET
15 Filthy Spots That Survived Your Spring Cleaning Rampage, According to an Expert
CNET Look outside and you'll see that flowers are blooming and pollen is flying. That means it's time to start spring cleaning -- or finish, according to a professional we spoke with. The professional in question is Angie Olive, owner of Alliance Building Services in St. Louis and she just happens to be my mom. She's been in the cleaning business for 25 years and says there are more than a dozen spots in the home that almost everyone misses. "Most things are out of sight and out of mind," said Olive, owner of . "If your outside surfaces are clean, you think everything is clean. It's no fault of your own that the stuff that slides down the side of your stove goes unnoticed until you move out." "If you maintain cleaning your house throughout the year, you should still consider hiring a professional cleaning company to come in at least twice a year for a deep clean," she added. So, if deep cleaning your home is part of your spring routine, here are 15 places in your home that you shouldn't forget. 1. Shutters Built-in shutters can accumulate a lot of dust over the years. Although it seems the only solution is regular dusting, I have found a tool that makes it slightly easier: a blind cleaner duster brush. Built-in shutters can often hide dust. Corin Cesaric/CNET (Tip: I also use this tool to clean my window AC unit, and you can also use it on blinds, too.) 2. Door frames The top of door frames is another area known for almost always being dusty. You can use a duster, microfiber cloth or vacuum to clean that area, then with warm, soapy water for the rest of the frame. 3. Baseboards Cleaning baseboards is typically on the list of least desirable chores. On Reddit, many users ask for tips on how to make this one easier on themselves -- and their backs and knees. One user suggested knee pads, while another advocates for using a vacuum with a brush attachment. If you have pets or there's a lot of foot traffic in your home, you'll want to clean your baseboards at least twice a month. FotoDuets/Getty Images Olive suggests that after deep cleaning your baseboards once, you can maintain them by using a damp mop on them when cleaning your floors. "As long as you're not using harsh chemicals, it won't damage your paint," she said. 4. Under the couch and bed For this chore, a robot vacuum may be the best -- and easiest -- option for regular upkeep. (CNET chose the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo and the iRobot Combo J7 Plus as the best robot vacuums for 2025.) 5. Ceiling fans It's good to occasionally clean the entire ceiling fan, including the bulbs, but the blades typically need the most attention. If your blades are heavily covered in dust, use a vacuum cleaner with the wand attachment on them first to minimize the amount that falls onto the ground -- or worse, in your face -- before dusting them clean with a duster or microfiber cloth. You can also clean the pull strings and bulbs with a microfiber cloth, but make sure the light switch is turned off and the bulbs have completely cooled before touching them. If you're deep cleaning your home, don't forget to look up to find the areas you may have missed. BackyardProduction/Getty Images 6. Grout When I moved into my apartment a few years ago, I could never get the tiny bathroom to feel clean — until I scrubbed the grout and unveiled its true color. I used Zep Grout Cleaner and a grout brush and was amazed at the difference, as were many on TikTok who used the same product. When I was halfway done with cleaning the grout, I was already extremely satisfied with the results. Corin Cesaric/CNET I poured the solution on the grout and let it sit for two to three minutes before using the brush to scrub the grout, then wiped the area clean. I now deep clean the grout about every six months and regularly mop. 7. Remote controls Although most people touch their TV remotes every day, it's often forgotten that we need to clean them, too. "They might not look dirty, but they're usually full of germs," Olive said. You should aim to clean and disinfect the remotes in your home about once a month.A quick way to clean your remote is to use a disinfectant wipe and then let it air dry. 8. Tops of cabinets When you cook on your stovetop, the smoke, steam and food particles travel up and often settle on top of your cabinets. This leaves a thick, sticky residue if you forget to clean the area. "Regularly clean with a degreaser on top of the cabinets," Olive said. "Once you get the build-up gone, you can maintain it." Another way to protect the top of your cabinets from the buildup is to line them with parchment or wax paper. 9. Doorknobs Doorknobs may not look dirty but most are teeming with germs. Fotosearch/Getty Images Doorknobs are another high-touch area that can be forgotten about. Use a disinfectant wipe or Lysol to clean them, especially during cold and flu season. (Tip: Clean your light switches at the same time you clean your door knobs since they're typically near each other.) 10. Stove knobs Stove knobs can get the same greasy residue buildup so it's important to deep clean them as well. Take the knobs off and soak them in warm, soapy water and scrub them if needed, then rinse, dry and replace. 11. Side of the stove As your stove knobs are soaking, you can deep clean the side of your stove, too. Pull out the appliance and use a cleaner of your choice to get rid of any food buildup that may have accumulated. "As you're cooking, you don't realize what you're spilling between the appliance and the countertop," Olive said. "Once you pull out your appliances, you'll find a lot of places that you need to clean." If you'd prefer to prevent spillage rather than clean it, you may want to invest in a stove gap cover. 12. Oven After you tackle the outside of your stove, it's time to clean the inside of the oven. You can try this chemical-free cleaning method to get your oven to look brand-new. Read more: Your Oven's Bottom Drawer Has a Secret Purpose -- Here's What It Actually Does Plan to clean your oven about four times a year. Jevtic/Getty Images 13. Walls You don't have to clean your walls every day, but they're not immune to getting dirty, especially the ones in your kitchen and bathroom, and for me, the one behind my dog's food and water bowls. You can start by dusting your walls, then using a Magic Eraser on them to get any marks, scuffs or splatters off. 14. Behind the refrigerator This area can be easily forgotten about, because most people don't routinely pull out their refrigerator. But when you do, you're almost certain to find dust and build up. You can clean the floor underneath your fridge and the wall behind it, then focus on the back of the fridge itself. First, unplug the fridge, then use a microfiber cloth or vacuum to dust the coils. Dust and hair can even find its way to the back of your fridge.15. Houseplants It may seem odd at first, but yes, you should be cleaning your houseplants, too -- even fake ones. The leaves on houseplants can collect a lot of dust. You can use a microfiber cloth or a duster to keep them dust-free. Plants with large leaves are especially likely to get dust buildup. Polina Sergeyeva/iStock/Getty Images Expert advice: Create a routine that works for you While it may seem overwhelming to keep every part of your home clean and free from dust, grease and buildup, don't overwork yourself. "Work out your own routine and do a little each time," Olive said. "Don't try to tackle everything at once."
The Sun
13-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
The miracle £1.40 hack cleaning experts swear by to help give you streak-free windows this spring
A CLEANING expert has revealed a £1.40 hack to make your windows squeaky clean and streak free this spring. As temperatures continue to soar this week, you may have noticed that the sun has highlighted how grubby your windows are. 2 When scrubbing your windows, it can seem impossible to figure out a method that leaves them streak free. However, Nigel Bearman, expert cleaner at Daily Poppins has shared a simple solution, perfect for those keen to pinch pennies. The expert revealed that apple cider vinegar is guaranteed to leave your windows sparkling, and will set you back by just £1.40 a bottle. He said: "It has a much milder scent compared to regular vinegar, making it far more pleasant to use. " Its also incredibly effective at cutting through grime and leaving your windows streak free, without the harsh chemicals in commercial cleaners." To use this hack, Nigel recommends making a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution lightly on your windows, and then using a circular motion, rub your windows with a micro fibre cloth. Then go over the glass in a vertical or horizontal motion, to remove streaks. "For stubborn spots, apply a bit more vinegar to break down the grime more effectively," Nigel advised. The expert explains that apple cider vinegar works as an effective cleaner, as its acidity breaks down dirt and grime, without the harshness of commercial products. The €60 buy that will 'clear condensation in seconds' and it will leave your windows and tiles sparkling clean too Nigel added, that if your windows are extra grubby, you can add white vinegar to the solution, to cut through the grime more effectively. Raving about the benefits of apple cider vinegar, the expert added: "You can even use it around the house to clean other glass surfaces, mirrors, and even kitchen appliances. "It's also a great natural option for polishing stainless steel or removing hard water stains from shower doors." Mrs Hinch fans previously raved about another simple trick to clean windows - and it costs nothing. 5 cleaning hacks Say goodbye to ironing Don't have time to smooth out the wrinkles of a shirt with an iron? Lenor 's Crease Releaser makes wrinkles vanish - simply hang up creased items, give them a quick spritz and smooth against a hard surface. Teabags for trainers When trainers smell a little squiffy, pop a used (and still moist) tea bag inside and leave for about an hour. The tannins will seep into the sole of the shoe to fight nasty-smelling odours. Remove limescale without scrubbing When bathroom taps start looking a little grimy with limescale, slice a lemon in half and sprinkle on baking soda. Rub the fruit over the taps and with a gentle clean they will come up sparkling. Use a toothbrush to get in all the nooks and crannies. Streak-free mirrors and windows White vinegar is a handy secret weapon when it comes to keeping mirrors and windows streak-free. Mix one part white vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle. Squirt then wipe with a microfibre cloth and voilà, clean glass in an instant. Make your home smell amazing For dust-free skirting boards, pour some fabric softener onto a cloth and give them a quick wipe. It will stop dirt collecting so quickly and, as an added bonus, make your home smell amazing. Posting in the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook group, one person asked: "Tips for cleaning windows please. "Mine always end up streaky and dirty looking." The post was flooded with helpful replies from Facebook users, and many people said the same thing. One person said: "If you have tumble dryer water use that, it's brilliant". Another person said: "If you have a condenser tumble dryer try the water out of it it's amazing." This hack only works if you have a condenser tumble dryer that collects water, but it's a great way to save water, instead of just throwing it away.
