There are some things that we do naturally around the house to keep it clean – sweep, mop, vaccuum, dish washing, and laundry. While these are huge things that make a difference between a well kept home and a messy one, there are many tiny chores that can easily be overlooked, but when done occassionally, they make a huge difference in the overall upkeep of our homes.
Make sure you eek out some time occassionally for these tiny chores around your own home! If you are a FlyLady follower, you may also want to add one job per week to your routines.
- Wash the Baseboards – Foot traffic, sweeping, and dusting can cause these bottom of the wall areas to become filthy. Yet we often pass right by them without giving them a second thought! Soon, that gleaming white trim becomes coated in dust, and leaves an otherwise great looking room in a dull state.
- Wash the Window Casings – While you may remember to Windex the glass windows, do you wash the window trim? Those too become caked with grim. Ours is wood, so I occassionally polish them as well, leaving them a great shine.
- Sweep the Ceiling – Floors aren’t the only things that need sweeping! Cobwebs, dust and soot will collect over time not only in corners but on main ceiling areas as well, and leave them in a darkened state. Running an occassional broom or extended vaccuum hose over them will give the entire room a great boost.
- Remove and Wash Light Switch & Outlet Covers – This is another thing we don’t pay much attention too! Yet with all of the touching they are exposed too, germs and grim can build up really quickly, especially during cold season. Removing them can be done quickly and easily. Once removed, give them a quick wash with some Joy or Dawn Detergent, or let them soak overnight for a thorough cleaning. You’ll be surprised at how great they look afterwards!
- Wipe Down the Top of the Refrigerator – Even if you can’t see it, dust from the top can cause a very unhealthy atmosphere. The thought of it accidentally falling in food should be good enough motivation as well! Grab a dishrag and step stool, remove the cereal boxes and tupperware, and get to scrubbin’. It’ll only take 5 minutes tops.
- Hose Down the Mini-Blinds – If you have typical suburbian mini-blinds, you may already know that dry dusting them does not always help. Furthermore, wet washing them isn’t easy either because it’s hard to apply pressure when they’re hanging. Instead, just remove them from their hooks and hose them down outside (or give them a good soaking in the tub).
- Scrub the Air Vent - Do you have one of those AC intake vents in your home? Ours is approximately 2′ x 2′, located in our hallway, and houses the filter. When the air flows into the vent, it traps dust that would otherwise travel through the ducts and exit in other parts of the house. This metal vent sees far more dust and grim then I would like to admit! Removing it, giving it a good soaking, and finishing off with a damp rag and elbow greese restores it to a bright, shining white sheen.
- Wash Your Cabinets – Our kitchen cabinets catch all sorts of splatters, grease, and finger prints. Wiping down your cabinet facing with something that is safe for your woodwork, will help restore a wonderful clean feeling to your kitchen Be sure to pay special attention to the handles and knobs!
- Vaccuum Lamp Shades – Lamp shades collect surprising amounds of dust if left alone. Washing fabric based shades is usually not feasible since it does little more than smear the dirt in. Instead, use your vaccuum to such up the dust. Light will shine brighter once it isn’t obscured by those dusty layers!
- Wash the Glass Shades on Ceiling Fans or Lights – Have you paid close attention to the glass shades that house your lighting fixtures? Those too collect layers of dust that obscure proficient lighting. Removing them and giving them a quick wash will make them look beautiful again. If you’re daring, you can also chance putting them in the dish washer like I do. To date, I have successfully washed ceiling fan glass, ceiling dome housing glass, and even gas light domes in the dishwasher with no mishaps. The heat dry cycle always leaves them with a crystal clear look that my hand washing alone can’t achieve.
