Spring Cleaning: 7 Dirty Places You’re Forgetting to Clean

You probably have a tried-and-true to-do list for your spring cleaning project, but you might be forgetting some long-neglected spots in your home. These are the places that are harboring a scary amount of dust, debris, and even germs!

It’s time to roll up your sleeves and give these seven areas a thorough scrub down.

Refrigerator Coils

Clogged coils make your refrigerator work harder and shorten its lifespan. Don’t risk burning out an expensive appliance!

For Front Coils

• Unplug your refrigerator

• Remove base grille

• Use a coil brush to remove dust, pet hair, or dirt from the coils

• Vacuum or sweep any debris on the floor

• Replace grille

• Plug in the refrigerator

For models with rear coils, follow the same steps, except you'll need to pull the appliance away from the wall. (This may take a bit of muscle, so consider recruiting some help.) Some refrigerators require professional cleaning, so be sure to follow your manufacturer recommendations.

Door Handles, Light Switches, and Remotes

Besides fingerprints and smudges, these frequently touched items harbor a lot of germs. In fact, these should be cleaned regularly, not just part of your spring ritual, so start the habit now. Door handles and light switches can be cleaned with disinfectant wipes or disinfectant and cloth or paper towels. For remotes, make sure the cleaning product isn't too wet, so wring it out first if necessary.

Throw Pillows and Upholstery

Throw pillows and upholstered furniture trap a lot of dust, pollen, and pet hair, which are notorious allergens. Remove and wash any pillow covers as appropriate. For furniture or non-washable pillows, use a steam cleaner or schedule a professional cleaning. Many people add this to their regularly scheduled carpet cleaning. Spring is also a good time to consider replacing any of these throw pillows, either to freshen up the look or because they've gotten dingy.

Garbage Disposal

Even though you're continually rinsing water through the garbage disposal, there's always a little food left behind. This debris becomes a bacteria breeding ground and it can attract fruit flies.

For cleaning, make sure the disposal is turned off, preferably unplugged. Soak a cleaning cloth in disinfectant and wipe the underside of the black rubber ring. To deodorize the appliance, you can run the disposal with baking soda, vinegar, rock salt, or citrus peels.

Under Sink Storage Areas

Cleaning under the sink serves two purposes. First, you can organize and inventory the cleaning supplies or other items you're storing. Second, it's the best way to check if there are any hidden leaks. If you have a leak, ServiceOne Air Conditioning & Plumbing can fix the problem. We can also provide leak detection and maintenance services.

Showerheads

Showerheads can become clogged, especially if you have hard water. If you can easily remove the showerhead, unscrew it and soak in a gentle cleanser. If you can't remove it, scrub it with a toothbrush and gentle cleanser.

HVAC System

What does AC maintenance have to do with spring cleaning? You might not know it to look at it, but your central air unit is filthy. The coils in the indoor air handler can become packed with dust and debris, which can impact not only the system’s performance but the quality of your indoor air.

Unlike your refrigerator coils, the coils in your HVAC system need to be cleaned by a professional. This task is typically done during a preventive maintenance visit, which you’ll want to schedule before the summer heat hits anyway.

Regular Maintenance Affects the Longevity of Your System

Before the weather gets hot and your air conditioner is working overtime, schedule an inspection and tune-up. This is the best time to identify any problems before you're sweltering due to a broken air conditioner and repair technicians are booked solid.