While we all appreciate a spotless living area, achieving this cleanliness can be quite time-intensive. Perhaps adhering to a routine of thorough cleaning sessions could aid in keeping your environment tidy, yet is it essential to scour each individual nook and cranny?
As per our experts, perhaps not. If you’re pressed for time or looking to save some steps, our professionals have revealed the spots that you might decide to skip altogether.
Meet the Experts
-
Galia Ivanova
is the proprietor of Cleaning Estimate. -
Alessandro Gazzo
is a cleaning specialist at Emily’s Maids of Dallas.
Inside Kitchen Cabinets
Certainly, kitchens rank among the most important areas in our houses when it comes to regular maintenance, often requiring daily attention. However, according to cleaning expert Galia Ivanova, it is entirely plausible to go overboard with the cleansing process, even within such an essential space.
“A
quick wipe-down
“To eliminate noticeable crumbs and spills typically enough,” states Ivanova.
Unless you’re dealing with a spill, leak, or breakage, it’s more efficient to focus on maintaining a clean surface. There’s no need to empty out your cabinets for an extensive deep clean unless absolutely necessary, or if you feel strongly about doing so.
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Granite and Marble Surfaces
There’s a good chance you’ve got granite or marble countertops in your kitchen or bathroom, and nobody would fault you for keeping them tidy. Yet, there’s a crucial detail to bear in mind. Cleaning specialist Alessandro Gazzo notes that it’s just as easy to go too far with the cleaning efforts.
“[Granite and marble have] delicate surfaces, and using harsh chemicals or scrubbing too vigorously can lead to damage,” according to Gazzo.
Instead of trying to deeply cleanse these areas with strong chemicals or rough materials, Gazzo suggests using alternative methods.
sanitize them
Using soapy water or a specific cleanser designed exclusively for granite or marble.
Indoor Light Fixtures
Light switches should be cleaned frequently because they are handled often, but according to Gazzo, your light fixtures likely only need periodic wiping or vacuuming. This guideline can generally apply to many areas within your house as well.
“I would suggest that anything you’re not planning to clean directly isn’t as crucial or isn’t a top priority,” explains Gazzo.
Rather than worrying about incorporating light fixtures into your routine cleaning regimen, concentrate on keeping them free from dust and buildup. There’s no need to get stressed about this aspect of maintenance.
Outdoor Light Fixtures
Sweeping your front entrance quickly should be included in your cleaning regimen, but according to Ivanova, you can potentially get too carried away with this task. This is particularly relevant for maintaining outdoor lighting fixtures.
Similar to how your indoor lights accumulate dust and grime, their outdoor counterparts likely do too. Nevertheless, Ivanova recommends skipping routine cleanings and avoiding strong chemicals.
She suggests that a occasional moistened cloth wipedown every few months will keep them looking great without the inconvenience of regular thorough cleanings.
Baseboards and Wall Trim
You ought to make sure you clean your baseboards and wall trim frequently to get rid of any accumulated dust, yet numerous individuals attempt to maintain an impeccable appearance for these areas. This often leads to using overly vigorous scrubbing techniques or potent cleaning agents, neither of which are really needed.
Excessive cleaning can deteriorate the paint or coating, causing them to appear even more worn out over time,” Ivanova explains. “Additionally, frequently shifting furniture to reach the skirting boards might result in scratches or indentations.
Closet Doors
Closet doors may easily accumulate marks, particularly if made of glass or coated with a shiny finish. However, even those door types that tend to show fingermarks the most likely do not require cleaning their entire outer surface every week.
“Usually, a quick swipe to eliminate fingerprints and smudges is sufficient,” according to Ivanova.
Should you observe an accumulation of marks or scratches, a more thorough cleaning might be necessary. However, if not, save yourself the effort and concentrate solely on specific spots, performing touch-ups and cleans only when required.
Read the initial article on
The Spruce
