The Most Overlooked Spots in Your Home

You may have probably spent many weekends dusting shelves and surfaces and mopping your floors, thinking that every spot in your home is clean. But according to professional cleaners, there are areas that homeowners usually overlook which could be harbouring microbes and other harmful particles.

In the recent guidelines released by the National Environment Agency, they highlighted that infectious diseases can also spread through indirect contact with contaminated surfaces. This is why homeowners need to focus on cleaning those spots that do not meet the eye.

Let’s discuss these secret spots that might be compromising your home’s hygiene right now.

High-Touch Electronics and Their Surroundings

Usually, we simply give these devices a quick dusting. But you should know that these are high-touch surfaces that can be contaminated by infectious agents like bacteria and viruses.

Light Switches and Switch Plates

One of the most frequently touched but rarely cleaned surfaces is the light switch, including the surrounding plate and wall area. It is not a surprise that they harbour fingerprints, dust, and germs from innumerable interactions daily.

Do not spray disinfectant directly onto the electrical fixtures. It is recommended that you apply the cleaning solution to a cloth first and then wipe these surfaces using the cloth.

Remote Controls & Game Controllers

Think about how many hands touch your TV remote or game controllers. Pro cleaners know that these devices need to be sanitised thoroughly, specifically their textured surfaces and button crevices.

Use alcohol-based disinfectants, with at least 70% alcohol content as recommended by NEA. 

Computer Peripherals

Keyboards and computer mice are also some of the most germ-laden items in any home. Have these objects be carefully cleaned to remove microbes and buildup without damaging the electronics.

Clean the following:

• The sides of mouse devices where fingers regularly rest
• The spaces between keyboard keys
• The cables and their connection points
• The areas where wrists rest

Charging Stations and Power Banks

We also often oversee the areas where we charge our devices when cleaning. We are not talking about wiping down visible surfaces.

Do not forget to disinfect your:

1. Wall outlets and nearby areas
2. Areas with cables
3. Charging pads and docks
4. Power strips and surge protectors

Some Tips from Professional Cleaners

Apply all the following expert tips to ensure you won’t damage these surfaces when cleaning them.

1. Never spray liquids directly onto electronic devices.
2. Use microfiber cloths to avoid scratching screens and sensitive surfaces.
3. Ventilate the area first before starting cleaning.
4. Look first for your gadgets’ manufacturer guidelines to check if they have cleaning recommendations.
5. Use an appropriate disinfectant like diluted bleach solution and alcohol-based products that have at least 70% alcohol.

Door-Related Areas

Most homeowners do not forget to wipe their doorknobs clean, but professional cleaners know that doors and their surrounding areas deserve equal attention as they can become unexpected hotspots for germs.

Door Handles and Knobs

Don’t just wipe the obvious parts. Include the following:

1. The entire handle or knob surface including underneath
2. The locking mechanism and keyhole areas
3. The back plate or escutcheon (the decorative plate behind the handle)
4. Both sides of the door handle since germs don’t discriminate between entering and exiting

Door Frames and Edges

You can also find a surprising amount of dirt and grime in the frames and edges of doors which many people neglect to clean. Pro cleaners would clean the following:

1. The top edge of the door
2. The vertical edges that brush against fingers during opening and closing
3. The weather stripping and seals around exterior doors
4. The entire door frame including the upper corners that collect cobwebs

High-Contact Zones Around Doors

Years of professional cleaning experience have taught cleaning experts to focus on the following frequently touched zones around your doors.

• The push plates/areas where people naturally place their hands
• The lower portions of doors that are kicked or pushed open
• The areas around door handles
• The transition between the door frame and the wall

Door Hinges and Tracks

Also include these mechanical components in your cleaning checklist so your doors don’t harbour buildup that might affect their function.

1. Hinge pins and nearby areas
2. Sliding door tracks
3. The space between double doors
4. The threshold area

For some tips in cleaning door areas, clean from top to bottom and consider using cleaning solutions that are gentle to the type of material.

Bathroom & Kitchen Danger Zones

Here are bathroom and kitchen surfaces that professional home cleaners never miss:

Living Areas and Bedrooms

These rooms might be simpler to clean than bathrooms or kitchens, but they also harbour areas that are often overlooked during cleaning.

Behind and Under Furniture

• The wall spaces behind sofas and beds
• Under heavy furniture
• The backs of entertainment centres and TV stands
• The spaces between mattresses and bed frames
• Areas behind headboards and bedside tables

Window Features and Surroundings

• Window tracks
• Window sills
• The spaces between window panes in double-hung windows
• Screen frames and mesh
• Window treatment hardware and mounting brackets

Curtain Rods and Blinds

• The tops of curtain rods and brackets
• The mechanisms in vertical blinds
• The individual slats of horizontal blinds
• The cords and wands used to operate window treatments
• The mounting hardware

Air Quality Zones

• AC vents/returns
• Ceiling fan blades, both top and bottom surfaces
• Standing fan grilles and bases
• External surfaces of your air purifier
• Room corners

Upholstered Furniture Details

• Seams and piping on sofas and chairs
• The spaces between cushions and backrests
• Under removable cushions and pillows
• The undersides of furniture skirts
• The backs of upholstered headboards

Hidden Surface Areas

• The tops of picture frames and wall art
• Undersides of side tables and coffee tables
• Lamp bases and light fixture connections
• Decorative objects

Conclusion

The attention to these easily overlooked areas is the fine line between a clean home and a professionally cleaned one. Doing the cleaning yourself maintains basic hygiene. Engaging professional home cleaners in Singapore steps up the level of cleanliness of your space.

Our cleaners at KungFu Helper do not clean for appearance. We clean with optimal health and safety in mind. Contact us today if you are in need of a cleaning service, like post renovation cleaning and spring cleaning.