News flash: The bathroom isn’t the germiest area in your home. It’s time to pay more attention to the oft frequented corners, nooks, and surfaces that go ignored because they’re either too hard to get to or we simply forget about the bacteria buildup that’s quietly going on behind the scenes.
Our homes can become prime real estate for several species of bugs, bacteria, and fungi, if we aren’t meticulous enough about cleaning. So, here’s a list of the grossest areas in the house, with tips on sanitizing them.
Behind the radiator
You may forget about your radiators because they’re mostly hidden behind furniture or other decorative objects. But, even if you wipe the exterior, the grooves behind the radiator are actually accumulating tightly packed dust and dirt that is then spewed back into the air. Did you know that cleaning behind the radiator can actually keep your heating costs down? That’s because the dust squeezed between the vents can prevent heat from escaping, which means your heaters need to do double duty to keep the indoors warm.
Cleaning tips: Remember to switch off the radiator before you begin cleaning it. One way to tackle the dust is to attach a canister or hose to a vacuum cleaner. Turn the device on and stick the hose behind the radiator. If you’re looking for a thorough clean, consider buying special cleaning brushes for the grooves. Otherwise, take a feather duster, place a cloth under the radiator, and start the job. While you’re at it, do clean the wall behind the radiator too, which tends to darken with all the grime. Dip a sponge into a soapy mixture, wring it well, and clean the surface.
Grout
Tiles are beautiful, but they have a dark side, and it looks a lot like grout. If you look carefully, you’ll notice grime and dust sandwiched between the tiles, which eventually makes the flooring or walls disgustingly dark. Because of its typically light color and porous nature, grout is prone to staining. Cleaning it might seem like a long, oh-so-detailed job, but if you make a point to include grout cleaning as part of your ordinary routine, then you can abate mold buildup.
Cleaning tips: Purchase a brush that’s designed specifically for cleaning grout—another hack is using an old toothbrush. Dip the tool in water and give the grout a good scrub. Alternatively, vinegar is a miracle worker when mixed with equal parts water and sprayed directly on dirty surfaces. It can help release locked dust, dirt, and rogue hairs. Another great homemade solution is a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda: Add a few tablespoons of baking soda to hydrogen peroxide until you get to the desired consistency. The solution will become pasty, which can then be applied on the grout. Let it sit for 10 mins and then scrub the surface.
Skirting boards
When you think of walls, how often do you also think about skirting boards (the baseboard covering the lowest part of an interior wall)? Since these don’t usually sit at eye level, you tend to miss the gunk and buildup on these teeny ledges. Cleaning the baseboard can seem cumbersome, as no one wants to kneel and clean hunched over. But think about it—the walls are the largest visible surface in your home. A sparkly clean wall can go a long way in making your home look pristine.