If you don’t have a disposable duster, use a clean microfiber cloth and secure it to a broom or mop handle with a rubber band. And if you must use a ladder, it’s a good idea to have another person to brace the ladder and come to your aid if you slip or fall. Using a ladder when you’re home alone is never a great idea. If you have allowed dust and particles of grease to accumulate on kitchen cabinets, use a sturdy step stool and clean with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of two cups warm water, one teaspoon dishwashing liquid and one teaspoon household ammonia. Wipe away the soil and then rinse with a cloth dipped in plain water. Dry with a soft clean cloth. Or, to clean both sides of the slats at once, wrap two microfiber cloths around each end of a pair of kitchen tongs and secure with a rubber band. Then simply slide the tongs along each slat to wipe away the dust top and bottom. Toss the microfiber cloths in the washer and you’re done. After vacuuming, mix a solution of two cups warm water, one teaspoon dishwashing liquid and one teaspoon household ammonia. Use a flexible stiff-bristled brush to scrub out the tracks and then rinse with plain water. You may have to use some vinegar and extra care to remove soap scum on shower door tracks depending on the type of metal. Here’s an extra tip on cleaning outside window and door tracks: if you have a pressure washer or pressure nozzle for the hose, a good burst of water can often make tracks sparkle. This is when it’s time to grab some knee pads and rubber gloves and get down to work. Start by using a dry stiff brush to remove loose dust, hair, and soil (don’t forget the baseboard). The crevice tool of your vacuum is useful to suck away the debris. Then use a soft brush or sponge dipped in warm water and a disinfectant cleaner to wipe down the area including the back of the toilet base. Rinse with a sponge or cloth dipped in plain water and dry with a soft cloth. The coils that condense and cool the refrigerant are located on the back of the appliance or underneath. For coils located on the back, simply roll out the refrigerator and use the vacuum upholstery brush attachment to vacuum away dust. For models with coils on the bottom, unsnap the ventilated grill. Use a long-handled stiff brush and the crevice tool of your vacuum to remove dust and debris. Use the brush to reach into all corners where dust bunnies may have collected. While you’re there, also clean the condenser fan so the blades are dust free and turn easily. You may need to remove a separate panel on the back of the refrigerator to access the fan. For easy access and cleaning monthly, empty the dishwasher and remove the bottom rack. Use a soft, damp cloth to clean around the area. Some filters cannot be removed, only lifted, so be sure to clean under the cap. If you have a removable filter, unscrew and soak in warm soapy water then wipe down with a soft cloth to remove debris before replacing. To remove any interior build up in your washer and deodorize, pour one to two cups of distilled white vinegar in the bottom of the empty washer and allow to sit overnight. Replace the bottom rack and run a short cycle in the morning for a fresh smelling dishwasher. Start by using the disposal correctly by running it with a full stream of cold water and allowing the water to run for ten seconds after turning off the disposal to flush all the debris away. If you smell bad odors, either grind some citrus peels while running cold water or add some ice cubes sprinkled with baking soda and grind with cold water. NEVER place your hand or a scrubbing brush down into the disposal unless the electricity has been turned off–not just the switch–on the electrical breaker. At that point, you can use a stiff scrubbing brush and baking soda to give the interior a good cleaning. Switch back on the electrical breaker and run the disposal with plenty of cold water. To prevent this mess, use the upholstery brush attachment of your vacuum to clean the vents and change or clean the filters at least monthly. You’ll have cleaner air circulation and your HVAC system won’t have to work so hard. For safe cleaning and getting into all those nooks and crannies, disconnect your keyboard from the computer or turn off your laptop completely. Turn the keyboard upside down and give it a good shake over a trashcan. Next, grab some compressed air and use it with the keyboard tilted at about a 75-degree angle so the dust and small particles can be easily blown away. Finish by dipping a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol to clean between and the tops of keys. Grab a new swab as each one becomes soiled. This will remove body soil and grime and disinfect any hidden germs. Cleaning the keyboard once a week is a good goal. If someone has a cold or virus, it should be cleaned after every use. While you’re cleaning electronics, don’t forget your cell phone and those accessories like a computer mouse and earbuds.
