When deep cleaning your home, make sure to clean sofa and mattress covers. (Image: Canva)
With Diwali less than a month away, we’re sure you are bracing yourself for a deep clean of your house. Apart from the usual places that get cleaned every day, hard-to-reach and overlooked places, like on top of your top-most kitchen shelf or inside your washing machine, can accumulate dust over time, making way for germs and bacteria to get comfortable in your home.
To make your deep clean truly effective, it’s essential not to miss some key areas that tend to be forgotten during regular cleaning. Whether it is dirt trapped under beds and couches, behind the refrigerator, on light fixtures and fans, vents and air filters, or inside your trash can, we have a guide on which hidden spots to focus on and how to tackle them.
Story continues below Advertisement
Here’s a checklist of things you shouldn’t forget when you deep clean for Diwali:
How to clean: Wipe down door frames with a damp microfiber cloth or use a gentle cleaning solution to remove grime. Use a soft brush or a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove dust from hard-to-reach corners.
- Light fixtures and ceiling fans
How to clean: Dust ceiling fans with a microfiber duster or use a pillowcase to trap dust as you wipe each blade. Remove light fixture covers and wash them in soapy water to get rid of dust and dead bugs.
- Behind and underneath appliances
How to clean: Pull out your refrigerator and stove carefully to vacuum or sweep behind and underneath them. Clean the sides of the appliances and the floor thoroughly. For the washing machine, clean around and under the base, and also run a cleaning cycle.
How to clean: Remove vent covers and clean them with warm, soapy water. Vacuum the vents to remove dust buildup. Replace or clean air filters as per your system’s guidelines.
- Inside cabinets and drawers
How to clean: Empty all cabinets and drawers. Wipe down the interior with a mild cleaner or soapy water. Pay special attention to the corners and crevices. Organise items before placing them back.
How to clean: Move furniture away from the wall and vacuum or sweep underneath. Use a mop or damp cloth to clean hardwood or tile floors. For carpets, vacuum thoroughly, and consider steam cleaning for a deeper clean.
How to clean: Use a small brush or vacuum with a crevice attachment to clean window tracks. For blinds, wipe them down with a damp cloth or use a vacuum with a brush attachment. Alternatively, you can remove and wash them if needed.
Also see | Easy home decor tips: How to infuse Indian aesthetics in modern homes with mindful creativity, simple ad-ons
- Tops of cabinets, doors, and shelves
How to clean: Use a microfiber cloth or duster to wipe down these hard-to-reach areas. If there’s built-up grime, use a mild cleaning solution to scrub them clean.
How to clean: Use a cleaning brush or cloth to scrub the area behind and around the toilet base. Clean the floor and walls behind the toilet to remove any dust or stains.
How to clean: Take your trash cans outside and scrub them with hot, soapy water or disinfectant. Rinse thoroughly and let them air dry before putting them back.
How to clean: Strip the bedding and vacuum the mattress on both sides. Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then vacuum again. Launder pillowcases, sheets, and comforters in hot water.
How to clean: Unscrew the aerators from faucets and soak them in vinegar to dissolve mineral buildup. For showerheads, you can soak them in a plastic bag filled with vinegar or remove them and soak them separately.
- Inside the oven and microwave
How to clean: Use an oven cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to scrub down the inside of the oven. For the microwave, heat a bowl of water with lemon juice for a few minutes, then wipe down the interior with a cloth.
- Light switches, door knobs, and handles
How to clean: Wipe down light switches, door handles, cabinet knobs, and any other frequently touched surfaces with disinfectant wipes or a mild cleaning solution.
