The Most Common Places You May Forget to Clean

How clean is your home? If you're like many homeowners, you probably think it's clean. But did you overlook an area (or maybe a few)? Take a look at the most common places people forget to clean and what you can do about this surprisingly messy situation.

The Baseboards

Even though your floors are spotless, does the surrounding area look the same? Unlike the floor, baseboards aren't always subject to a high soil level. While foot traffic doesn't reach the baseboard level, these accents still get dirty.

Dust, debris, shoe scuff marks, and other dirty messes can land on your baseboards when you don't pay attention. What can you do about this not-co-clean area of your home? To keep baseboards clean:

• Hire a professional. What you miss, a professional cleaner won't. A cleaning contractor knows what to look for and how to clean it. These professionals will pay plenty of attention to your baseboards regularly.
• Wipe once in a while. Maintain your baseboards in between regular professional cleanings. Wipe the area with a wet cloth and dry thoroughly.
• Dry dust. If your baseboards tend to gather dust, use a dry cloth between professional deep cleans.

Now that you've got the bottom of each room covered, it's time to look up. Read on for more information on one of the most overlooked top of the room spaces.

Lighting Fixtures and Fans

It's likely you don't pay attention to your lighting fixtures and fans - until they break. But you shouldn't wait for a lightbulb to burn out or a fan to slow before you look up and take notice.

Lighting fixtures can gather dust, grime (especially in a greasy kitchen), or even insect debris. Likewise, dust and dirt can quickly cover your ceiling fan's blades. To clean ceiling lighting and fans:

• Get extra help. Do you forget about your fixtures? A professional cleaning service contractor will remember. Ask the pro to routinely clean these areas, so you don't have to.
• Use a ladder. If you do make regular attempts to clean fixtures or fans in between professional services, use a ladder to reach the ceiling. Never climb onto a chair to clean. This poses a safety risk.
• Turn off the power. Never clean a lighting fixture or a fan while it's on. This also poses a serious safety risk.
• Remove the fixture. Don't just clean the outside of the fixture. Remove the cap or other lightbulb cover to clean the inside. Wipe the interior and exterior and dry it thoroughly before you replace it.
• Dust the tops of fan blades. A dirty fan spins and releases dust and allergens into the air. While you may only see the underside of the blades regularly, the tops also gather dust. Use a dry cloth to dust the tops of the blades or remove them to easily clean.

This cleaning service also helps homeowners who can't reach lighting fixtures or have prohibitive mobility issues. If you can't climb onto a ladder or reach your ceiling easily, the expert can safely tackle the job for you.

Shower Curtains

Why should you clean your shower curtain? Whether you have a vinyl curtain, cloth curtain, or both, this bathroom staple requires constant care. Without a regular deep clean your curtain:

• Can grow mold. The moisture in your shower can sit on the curtain and result in allergy-inducing mold growth.
• Can grow mildew. Even though mildew and mold are different substances, they often have a similar greyish appearance. Like with mold growth, moisture on your shower curtain can increase the likelihood of mildew.
• Can look unappealing. You spent time and money on your bathroom décor. A dirty shower curtain distracts from the overall aesthetic.

Like with other areas of the home, this often overlooked area is something a professional will remember to clean and may even save you money. Instead of buying new curtain after new curtain (when the item grows mold or mildew), you can keep the same one for the long-run.

Do you need professional cleaning help? Contact NorthStar Cleaning & Property Services for more information.