Household tasks may not be easy, but they are essential. Keeping your home clean and hygienic can be quite challenging.

Despite your best efforts to keep your home clean, there is often a list of commonly overlooked household items that require attention.

As a parent, you strive to provide your children with a safe and hygienic environment. But is everything really as clean as it seems? Unfortunately, no matter how diligently you work to eliminate disease and infections by keeping your home clean, you may still overlook some common household items that could harbor viruses, allergens, and bacteria.

Here are some commonly overlooked household items that you should remember to clean while tidying up your home.

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Common Household Items You Must Clean

Even if you don't have children with sticky fingers running around, there are still several household items that can become dirty quickly. Moreover, while tasks like cleaning countertops and doing laundry may be on your to-do list, you may be overlooking important home furnishings. Here are some items you may be neglecting to clean, but should prioritize:

1. Ceiling Fans

Regardless of how often you use your ceiling fan, its blades will inevitably gather dust. To remove dust from your fan blades, use a lambswool duster. Don't forget to also inspect the fan's lighting components to ensure that they look their best.

2. Switch Boards and Light Switches

Light switches are often overlooked when cleaning a room, despite their frequent use. To eliminate bacteria and dust that accumulates on light switches and boards, use a mild cleanser and a soft cloth to clean them before using any of the switches in your rooms.

3. The Shower or Bathtub's Curtain Rods

When cleaning your bathroom, don't forget to run your fingertips over the top of the curtain rod. You may be surprised to find a layer of gray dust and debris that accumulates in this busy space, often hidden from view. The movement of curtain rings across the pole can also spread dust. To clean the curtain rod effectively, use a soft cleaning agent and a cloth.

4. Remote Controls

Remote controls are notorious for harboring germs and bacteria, as they are handled by multiple family members on a daily basis. Don't forget to clean all the household remotes, including those for the TV, AC, stereo, garage door, and ceiling fan.

5. The Room's Baseboards

Baseboards are installed along the bottom of a wall's entire length, and can accumulate dust that would otherwise settle on your carpet, linoleum, or hardwood floors. To keep your baseboards clean, use a drapery attachment to quickly remove dust before vacuuming. Clean baseboards can greatly improve the appearance of your walls and floors.

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6. Cushions & Pillows

Pillows and cushions are often overlooked when it comes to cleaning. While we may change their covers regularly, dust and dirt can still accumulate over time. Consider purchasing machine-washable pillows and cushions, and wash them every three to four months. Be sure to follow the label's recommendations for machine or hand washing, and soak them in hot water and detergent for optimal cleaning.

7. Charging Cables, Video game controllers, and Headphones

Wires and cables are often left plugged in on desks, behind sofas, or next to beds. It's important to remember to periodically unplug and clean them according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

8. Workout Kit

Cleaning equipment is not only polite behavior, but also important for hygiene, especially at the gym. Remember to clean the seats, bars, and other surfaces with a disinfectant spray..

9. Wristwatches

Your wristwatch is with you wherever you go, so it makes sense to clean it periodically, especially since you frequently wash your hands.

10. Reusable Grocery Bags

Reusable bags are environmentally friendly, but they can also be contaminated. Make sure to wash them after each use, especially when handling vegetables and uncooked ingredients.

11. Cloth Iron

Regular cleaning of your iron is necessary, even if you use it on clean clothes. It tends to accumulate dirt and grime with each use. Simply dusting it off is not enough. You can create a cleaning solution by mixing baking soda and vinegar. Dip a cloth in the solution and gently clean the surface of the iron. If you want to prevent germs from residing in your clothes, make sure to clean this household item frequently.

12. Washing Machine

Although we use clothes washers routinely, we may forget to clean them. It's essential to wash your washer regularly, even if it appears clean. After all, washing your clothes won't clean the machine! To remove the dirt and bacteria left behind by soiled clothing, run an empty cycle with hot water and a small amount of bleach at least once a month.

13. Kids’ School Supplies

Remember that time you left a banana in the bottom of your backpack in first grade and it went bad? Don't let that happen to your children's bags. Regularly inspect and clean the corners of their bags. If the bag is machine washable, you can even turn it inside out and throw it in the laundry.

14. Baby Crib

Whether they're teething or not, infants tend to put their mouths on everything. Therefore, it is crucial to clean the hard surfaces of their cribs every time you wash laundry.

15. Other Commonly Used Items

• Door edges
• Blankets
• Throw pillows
• Chairs and couches
• Kitchen Appliances
• Keys
• Workplaces
• Laptop
• Kids’ toys
• Trash cans
• Brooms and mops

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Final Thoughts

To ensure your home stays clean and hygienic, it's important to not overlook other commonly used household items. Make sure to add these items to your cleaning routine for a spotless home.