Most Important Things To Clean This Christmas

Sharing is caring!

On the JJ Barnes Blog, as our homes are about to be invaded by family and friends, I decided to check out the germiest things to clean this Christmas!

The festive season is upon us, and with it comes the joy of spending time with loved ones. But let’s be honest, it also means a houseful of guests and the inevitable spread of germs. To ensure a healthy and happy Christmas, I decided to dive deep into the germiest culprits in our homes.

With a 200% surge in searches for “Why does my washing machine smell” and a 110% increase for “How to clean really dirty windows” over the past month, it’s clear that forgotten cleaning tasks are taking center stage this season. But which overlooked items should be bumped to the top of the cleaning list this Christmas?

In this post, with the help of experts at London rubbish removal company Clear it Waste, I’ll uncover the hidden hotspots that harbor bacteria and viruses, and provide simple cleaning tips to keep your home germ-free. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get ready to banish those bugs!

Most Important Things To Clean This Christmas

1. Refrigerator

Whether it’s family dinners or Christmas parties, your fridge is about to become the epicenter of culinary creativity. But before you fill it with festive feasts, it’s crucial to give it a deep clean. A recent study revealed that the meat and vegetable compartments in our fridges are surprisingly germy, harboring bacteria like yeast, mold, Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli.

A Step-by-Step Guide to a Germ-Free Fridge

Empty the Fridge: Remove all items, including shelves and drawers.

Defrost: If your fridge has a frost-free function, you can skip this step. For manual defrost models, place towels to catch the melted ice.

Clean the Interior: Use a mixture of warm water and mild detergent to wipe down all surfaces, including the walls, shelves, and drawers. For stubborn grime, consider using a baking soda paste.

Sanitize: After cleaning, disinfect the surfaces with a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

Clean the Door Gasket: This rubber seal can trap food particles and bacteria. Clean it with a mixture of warm water and white vinegar.

Replace the Water Filter: If your fridge has a water filter, replace it as recommended by the manufacturer.

Return Items: Once the fridge is clean and dry, return the items, ensuring they are properly stored.

2. Toothbrush holder

While we often focus on larger cleaning tasks, it’s the smaller, often overlooked areas that can harbor the most germs. One such culprit is your toothbrush holder. The damp, confined space, combined with the constant presence of moisture, makes it an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Considering that your toothbrush, a tool for oral hygiene, is in close proximity to this germ haven, it’s crucial to prioritize its cleanliness.

How to Clean Your Toothbrush Holder

Dry Thoroughly: After cleaning, dry the holder completely with a clean cloth to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

Empty and Rinse: Remove any toothbrushes and rinse the holder with warm water.

Soak and Scrub: Fill a sink with hot, soapy water and submerge the holder. Let it soak for a few minutes to loosen dirt and grime. Then, use a brush or sponge to scrub away any residue.

Sanitize: For a deeper clean, create a sanitizing solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Pour the solution into the holder, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.

Alternatively, you can use a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) but be sure to rinse it off completely.

3. Windows

While cleaning windows is a year-round task, it becomes particularly important during the winter months. Dirty windows can significantly reduce the amount of sunlight entering your home, making it feel darker and colder. By taking the time to clean your windows, you can maximize natural light and warmth, creating a more inviting and comfortable living space.

Tips for Streak-Free Winter Window Cleaning

Polish the Glass: For an extra shine, you can use a glass polish or newspaper. Newspaper can be surprisingly effective at removing streaks and leaving a sparkling finish.

Choose the Right Day: Avoid cleaning windows on a hot, sunny day. The heat can cause the cleaning solution to dry too quickly, leaving streaks. A cloudy or overcast day is ideal.

Prepare the Solution: Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. This natural cleaner is effective at removing dirt and grime without leaving streaks. For tougher stains, you can add a few drops of dish soap to the mixture.

Clean the Frames: Before tackling the glass, clean the window frames with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Pay special attention to the corners and crevices where dirt and grime can accumulate.

Clean the Glass: Dip a microfiber cloth into the cleaning solution and wipe the glass in a circular motion. For stubborn stains, use a gentle scrubbing motion.

Dry the Glass: Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe away any excess moisture and prevent streaks.

4. Radiators

Clean radiators aren’t just visually appealing; they also play a crucial role in optimizing your home’s heating efficiency. By removing dust and debris, you can improve heat distribution and reduce energy consumption.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning your radiators

Prepare the Area: Before you start, lay a towel or cloth on the floor beneath the radiator to catch any dust or debris.

Vacuum: Use a vacuum cleaner with a narrow attachment to remove dust and dirt from the radiator fins. Pay special attention to the spaces between the fins, as these areas can accumulate a lot of dust.

Clean the Surface: Wipe down the radiator’s surface with a damp cloth and mild detergent. For stubborn grime, use a slightly stronger cleaning solution, but avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the finish.

Dry Thoroughly: After cleaning, dry the radiator with a clean, dry cloth to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

5. Washing machine

Damp-smelling clothes are a common wintertime annoyance. While various factors can contribute to this issue, one often-overlooked culprit is your washing machine itself. The warm, humid environment inside the machine can create the perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria, leading to unpleasant odors.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to a thorough washing machine clean

Wipe Down the Exterior: Don’t forget to clean the exterior of the washing machine, including the control panel and the top. Use a damp cloth and mild detergent to remove dirt and grime.

Run a Self-Cleaning Cycle: Most modern washing machines have a self-cleaning cycle designed to remove detergent buildup and other residues. Run this cycle regularly, especially during winter months.

Clean the Rubber Seal: The rubber seal around the washing machine door is a common spot for mold and mildew to grow. To clean it, create a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Dip an old toothbrush or cloth into the solution and scrub the seal thoroughly. Pay special attention to the creases and folds.

Clean the Detergent Dispenser: Remove the detergent dispenser drawer and soak it in warm, soapy water. Use a brush to scrub away any residue. Rinse thoroughly and dry before returning it to the machine.

6. Shower heads

Unclean shower heads are not just unsightly; they can also harbor bacteria and mold, especially during the damp winter months. Fortunately, cleaning your shower head is a relatively simple task that can significantly improve your bathroom’s hygiene.

How to clean your shower head

Detach the Shower Head: If possible, unscrew the shower head from the arm or hose. This will allow for a more thorough cleaning.

Create the Vinegar Solution: Fill a sandwich bag with white vinegar, ensuring the shower head is completely submerged. If the shower head cannot be detached, secure the bag around the head using rubber bands.

Soak: Let the shower head soak in the vinegar solution for at least 30 minutes. The vinegar will help to dissolve mineral deposits and kill bacteria.

Scrub: After soaking, remove the shower head from the vinegar solution. Use an old toothbrush to scrub away any remaining mineral deposits, grime, or mold. Pay close attention to the small holes where the water flows.

Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the shower head with warm water to remove all traces of vinegar and debris.

Reattach the Shower Head: Once the shower head is completely dry, reattach it to the arm or hose.

Conclusion

Conclusion

As the festive season approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations. However, amidst the gift-wrapping, baking, and decorating, don’t forget to prioritize a thorough cleaning of your home. By tackling the most important cleaning tasks, you can ensure a healthy and hygienic environment for you and your loved ones.

Remember, a clean home is a happy home! So, roll up your sleeves, put on some festive tunes, and get cleaning. Merry Christmas!