Its that time of the year again when the harmattan dust settles on practically every nook and cranny of our living spaces. In that irritating manner, it results in a situation where one wipe down isn’t sufficient anymore for the whole day. Before we get too carried away with our frustrating cleaning routines, lets take a moment to remember the nastiest, filthiest parts of our homes, some of which you surely haven’t touched in a while.
Under and Behind Appliances
Nowadays, we are more prone to just clean the surfaces of our electrical appliances (where we are likely to see dust particles) whilst ignoring the darker corners around them. Our electrical appliances are natural dust magnets and these dust particles can be an ugly sight while also being a fire hazard.
Toaster
If you are like me and enjoy the simple pleasures of toast bread regularly, you have a very dangerous fire hazard on your hands if you regularly do not clean out the bread crumbs.
Laundry Machine
A washing machine tends to get dirty from consistent use (all that grime from your clothes). It is therefore important that every six months, thorough cleaning is undertaken using warm water and vinegar to keep the machine in top condition.
Refrigerator
Have you ever wondered about that black powdery substance appearing in your fridge? This is a fungus known as “the black mold” which is very dangerous to your health and that of your family. Even if you don’t immediately see any evidence of it, the fridge can be a fertile ground for other molds and hidden germs therefore should be cleaned regularly. Please Pay special attention to the rubber sealant on your refrigerator door as well as fridge shelves.
Makeup Brushes
Women, please do not ruin your beauty by consistently applying fungi and bacteria on your face or in your eyes. These brushes attract and retain dust particles, hair follicles and moisture (facial oils) which are catalysts to fungal growth. There are several methods to clean these brushes however research shows that using lukewarm water and shampoo are the most effective methods.
Exercise Mat
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle at home means a significant portion of your time is spent on an exercise mat. Fungus, sweat, dirt, and bacteria are all by-products of an intensive workout session and they settle comfortably on the mat resulting in a potential biological hazard to your body in future. Using some detergent and water, wipe down the surface of the mat after use to ensure you have a clean workout every time.
Shower Curtain and Rod
My friends, don’t be lazy; wash your shower curtain regularly to eliminate the build-up of soap and dirt. It is also not a bad idea to also replace your shower curtain once every three years. In addition, don’t forget to wipe down that rod too as dirt will also accumulate there as well.
Garbage Bins
Garbage bins are one of the more important items on this list as their presence ensures no litter is left lying around the house. it is essential therefore to hose out the garbage bin regularly with detergent or bleach to avoid a build-up of dirt and disease causing bacteria.
Conclusion
If the Ebola and Lassa fever scares taught us anything good, it would be to carefully manage the cleanliness of our properties. This is because the risk of infection or an outbreak increases exponentially within a dirtier environment as a cleaner house is a precursor to a healthier home. #just saying.
