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How Often Should You Wash Everything in the House
December 4, 2023
-
By
Ava Thompson
How often should you wash everything in your house? It depends. For example, kitchen and bathroom surfaces should be wiped down every day.
Light fixtures, on the other hand, can be cleaned less frequently.
What about the kitchen floor and bath mats? How often should those be cleaned? For the answers, be sure to keep reading. We’ll be going over everything that you need to know about keeping your house clean below.
The Lifespan of Common Household Germs
Cleaning doesn’t just make your space look better; it also reduces risks associated with bacteria growth and prevents the spread of germs that cause illnesses.
Take E.coli, for example, it’s quite common in our homes and can survive from a few hours to an entire day depending on the surface. On the other hand, calicavirus proves to be more resilient, living for days or even weeks.
Daily Cleaning Essentials
When it comes to maintaining a clean home, some tasks need daily attention.
Making the Bed
Start the day by making the bed. It’ll keep your bedroom tidy and will help you be more productive during the day.
Wiping Kitchen Surfaces
Your kitchen is where you prepare meals, so keeping surfaces clean is crucial.
Use hot water and soap or disinfecting wipes to wipe down counters after every use. You also want to clean dirty dishes after eating – you don’t want to let them accumulate in the sink or counter.
Sanitizing the Kitchen Sink
You’d be surprised how many germs live in sinks. If anything, they’re one of the dirtiest places in most homes – so give yours a good scrub with warm soapy water at the end of the day.
Clean Your Microwave Daily
Microwaves are prone to splatters, which is why you should clean them regularly. For a quick clean, we recommend using white vinegar.
Supplies:
- White vinegar
- Water
- Damp cloth
Step 1:
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a microwave-safe bowl.
Step 2:
Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, until you see visible steam.
For the best results, keep the microwave closed for at least 10 minutes after the cycle is finished – that will allow the steam to work its magic.
Step 3:
Using a damp cloth, wipe down the interior surfaces.
Weekly Cleaning Tasks for Healthy Living Spaces
Vacuum Rugs and Carpets
A good rule of thumb is to vacuum the carpets and rugs once a week. That’ll help keep dust, dirt, and allergens at bay, which will improve indoor air quality.
Supplies:
- Vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachment
Step 1:
If cleaning a rug, give it a good shake to loosen any dirt that may be embedded in the fibers.
Step 2:
Using the upholstery attachment, start vacuuming the rug or carpet from the top corner and gradually work your way down.
Repeat until you’ve vacuumed the entire area.
Don’t forget to vacuum the back as well if you’re cleaning a rug.
Change Your Bed Sheets
Your bed should be the purest spot in your residence since you spend roughly one-third of your life there. But many folks don’t change their sheets as often as they should.
Our advice? Make it part of your weekly cleaning tasks. Aim to switch out those bed linens every seven days or two weeks minimum if you’re pressed for time.
Clean Your Bath Towels
Damp bath towels can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Given that, it’s best to wash them after 3-5 uses.
For the best results, wash your bath towels with hot water and a mild detergent.
Step 1: Load Your Towels
Place your towels in the washing machine, making sure not to overload the drum.
Step 2: Add Detergent
Add one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent. Avoid using fabric softener – it will interfere with the towels’ ability to absorb water.
Step 3: Run the Washer
Run a wash cycle with the hottest possible setting. You can also use a ‘sanitizing cycle’, if your machine has one.
Step 4: Tumble Dry
After washing, transfer the towels to the dryer and tumble dry on low.
Supply:
- ACTIVE Detergent
You can prevent stiff spots on your towels by using a few dryer balls.
ACTIVE Laundry Detergent
Refresh your towels with our enzyme-based detergent. Removes sweat, body oils, and more!
Clean the Shower Walls
Shower walls are not only prone to soap scum but they’re also vulnerable to mold and mildew due to high moisture levels in the bathroom.
To remove these black spots, we highly recommend using ACTIVE Mold Stain Remover.
Supplies:
- ACTIVE Mold Stain Remover
- Damp cloth
Step 1:
Apply the ACTIVE gel to the affected areas and let it sit for 3-5 hours – that will allow the cleaner to penetrate the build up.
Step 2:
Using a damp cloth, wipe away any remaining gel from the treated surface.
Maintaining Cleanliness in the Kitchen
Your kitchen is a hotspot for unwanted grime, and your cleaning routine should reflect that.
The Hidden Dangers of Kitchen Sponges
Kitchen sponges are notorious breeding grounds for germs.
According to a study published by Nature Scientific Reports, these seemingly innocent scrubbers should be replaced every few days due to their ability to host dangerous pathogens like E.coli and Salmonella.
In between replacements, you can also sanitize them with the microwave.
Supplies:
- Water
- Microwave-safe bowl
Step 1:
Rinse the sponge under the faucet and gently squeeze out the excess water.
Step 2:
Place the damp sponge in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on high for 60-90 seconds.
The heat will kill any mold, bacteria, or yeast that’s on the sponge.
Step 3:
Let the sponge cool down for 15 minutes before squeezing out the excess water.
Make sure the sponge doesn’t have any metal parts (e.g. scour pad) before microwaving.
Cleaning Your Dishwasher
Your kitchen appliances need attention too. Take the dishwasher, for example, it can accumulate food residue and soap scum over time.
To get the most out of your dishwasher, give it a deep clean once a month using ACTIVE Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets; that will remove any lingering smells or buildup inside the machine while also helping it run more efficiently.
Supplies:
- ACTIVE Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets
Step 1:
Empty the dishwasher before you use the ACTIVE tablets.
Step 2:
Add one ACTIVE tablet to the detergent dispenser tray.
Step 3:
Run a normal cleaning cycle.
Step 4:
Leave the dishwasher door open for maximum ventilation once the cycle is finished.
If your dishwasher is heavily soiled, consider adding a second tablet to the bottom of the machine.
Cleaning Your Coffee Maker
Your coffee maker needs attention too. Remember, contaminants thrive in dark, moist environments so don’t forget to wash all removable parts after each use with hot soapy water.
We also recommend deep cleaning your coffee machine with ACTIVE Coffee Maker Cleaner Tablets on a regular basis.
Supplies:
- ACTIVE Coffee Maker Cleaner Tablets
Step 1:
Add one ACTIVE tablet to the water reservoir and wait for it to fully dissolve.
Step 2:
Run a brewing cycle with the largest cup size setting.
Step 3:
Discard any remaining water from the tank and refill it with clean water.
Step 4:
Run a second brewing cycle, then empty the tank.
Refill the water reservoir with clean water afterward and you’re ready to brew a fresh pot of coffee.
For the best results, use ACTIVE Coffee Maker Cleaning Tablets twice a month.
Cleaning the Garbage Disposal
The garbage disposal can come in handy when it comes to dealing with food scraps, however, it too needs regular maintenance.
Supplies:
- ACTIVE Garbage Disposal Cleaner
Step 1:
Run hot water from the kitchen faucet, away from the drain.
Step 2:
Turn on the disposal unit and add 1-2 ACTIVE tablet directly into the drain. The tablet will automatically foam up and work its magic.
Step 3:
Continue to run the garbage disposal and faucet for about one minute, until all of the foam drains.
Deep Cleaning for a Fresh Home
Light switches and window screens are often overlooked during cleaning, but these spots can be breeding grounds for germs if left unchecked. For easy cleaning, we recommend wiping them down with sanitizing wipes.
The same goes for the blinds and ceiling fans.
Don’t forget about the mattress in your bedroom as well. We spend roughly one-third of our lives sleeping, so it only makes sense to sleep on a clean mattress.
Effective Cleaning Techniques and Products for a Clean House
Hot water is a great tool for deep cleaning and sanitizing in the home. It’ll not only break down dirt but will also eliminate residue that may be present on surfaces.
If necessary, you can also mix in a bit of soap for extra cleaning power.
And don’t forget about baking soda. It’s non-toxic and great at removing stains and odors from various surfaces such as coffee pots or kitchen sinks.
Simply sprinkle some baking soda onto the stained area, scrub lightly using a sponge, then rinse off with warm water.
White vinegar is another versatile cleaner. Simply dilute one part vinegar with two parts hot water for a homemade disinfectant spray. It’s perfect for wiping kitchen counters or the shower walls clean.
Deep Cleaning the House – FAQs
How often should you clean everything?
You should tackle daily cleaning tasks like making the bed and wiping kitchen surfaces every day. However, some chores, such as vacuuming carpets or washing floors, are best done weekly.
How often should the average person wash everything?
Different items have different schedules. For example, sheets should be washed once a week while towels should be washed after three to four uses.
What should be cleaned in a house daily?
The daily checklist includes doing the dishes, wiping down kitchen counters, and sanitizing high-touch areas like doorknobs and light switches.
How often should you wash your floors?
Ideally, you want to mop the floors once a week. But if they’re exposed to kids, pets, or lots of foot traffic, you may need to clean them more frequently.
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Ava Thompson
Ava Thompson is a cleaning specialist and home organization guru. Her profound knowledge, honed through years of experience, is thoughtfully shared in her thorough walkthroughs here on our blog. Ava’s pragmatic tips and innovative strategies empower individuals to transform their living spaces into models of cleanliness and order. She’s a go-to source for those seeking to enhance their home environment efficiently and effectively. She has become a key contributor on the ACTIVE blog.
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