How to Clean Hard to Reach Places

Cleaning isn’t typically anyone’s favorite task, but for homeowners, it’s something that simply must be done. And while it’s common to clean the kitchen, to scrub the toilet, and to vacuum the floors, there are many parts of a home that rarely get cleaned. This isn’t for lack of motivation, but sometimes it can be downright hard to reach certain spots that need cleaning. Plus, some areas are “out of sight and out of mind,” which contributes to their lack of sprucing up. Below, learn how to clean spots that are hard to reach yet important to keep tidy.

Dishwasher Filter

Think of all of the debris and grime that your dishwasher collects while dutifully providing you with sparklingly clean dishes. Pretty gross, right? Well, all of that gunk must go somewhere, and that spot is the dishwasher filter. Because it’s responsible for holding food particles and other debris from dishes, it’s important to clean this vital part of a dishwasher regularly, preferably on a monthly basis.

To do this, use your dishwasher manual to locate the filter. It’s typically located on the floor of the appliance. Ensure that your dishwasher is emptied and remove the bottom rack. Taking a soft, damp cloth, clean the area surrounding the filter. Depending on the model of your appliance, you may or may not be able to remove the filter. If yours is removable, unscrew it from the appliance and soak it in warm soapy water. Before replacing it, wipe it down with a damp cloth to ensure that all debris have been removed.

This cleaning task not only guarantees clean dishes, but it also prevents odors. While your filter is soaking, pour one to two cups of distilled white vinegar into the bottom of the empty dishwasher, preferably letting it soak overnight. Replace the bottom rack in the morning and run a short cycle to clear up any lingering odors and to keep your dishwasher in its best possible condition.

Computer Keyboards

Computer keyboards can be riddled with germs and are often filled with crumbs. This isn’t a spot, however, we typically think to clean. Getting into the crevices of these keyboards can prove to be tricky. Luckily, it can be done. To complete this task, disconnect your keyboard from the computer or turn off your laptop. Turn your keyboard upside down over a trash can and give it a good shake to rid it of debris. Using a can of compressed air, tilt the keyboard to a 75-degree angle and gently pump the air across the small openings. Holding the keyboard this way allows dust, crumbs, and other debris to escape the keyboard. Once this has been taken care of, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and wipe it in between the tops of keys, using as many swabs as necessary. This disinfects the keys of germs while also freshening them up and grabbing any remaining debris. You should aim to clean your keyboard weekly. Clean it more frequently if someone who uses the keyboard is sick.

Cabinet Tops

Since they’re so high up, cabinet tops can prove to be a tricky area to clean. This area of your kitchen, though, is known to get quite dusty and even greasy, depending on the ventilation situation in your kitchen. The easiest way to clean the tops of your cabinets is to use a small ladder or step stool and use a damp rag. The rag should be moistened with an all-purpose cleaner or distilled white vinegar. Another natural solution to use is lemon juice, as it acts as a natural degreaser. Spritz lemon juice lightly along cabinet tops. Let the solution sit for a few minutes, then use the damp rag to scrub the surface clean. To keep the tops of your cabinets cleaner for longer, lay wax paper along the tops after you’ve cleaned them. This paper will naturally collect grease, and then you can simply throw the papers away and replace them in between cleanings.

Under the Fridge

Under the fridge is a hard to reach spot in the kitchen where dust and grime lurks. To simplify this cleaning process, use this simple trick. Remove the grill along the bottom of your fridge. Then, take a pair of pantyhose and attach them to a yardstick. Using the stick, run the pantyhose under the fridge and it will capture dust and crumbs. It will also swipe other lost trinkets out from under the fridge.

These areas are all hard to reach, and sometimes sorely neglected in your cleaning regime. Use these tips to ensure they’re not only included in your routine, but kept squeaky clean.