How to get your house cleaner than you ever thought possible

When it comes to sprucing up a whole home, even the cleanest of clean freaks can miss the little things. On a surface level everything may look clean, but there’s plenty more that can be done.

Use the tips below to give your home that extra sparkle.

Kitchen

1. Utensil drawers – Remove all the utensils and clean in and underneath the storage trays.

2. Between oven glass – Remove one of the glass layers and wipe down the space in between.

3. Underneath and behind the fridge – Regular cleaning will extend the life of your fridge too.

4. Sink drains – Use a rough sponge to clean any developing mould or mildew.

5. “The Junk Drawer” – Everyone has one! Clean it out every once in a while.

6. In and around unused Tupperware – Same as above. If you have 100s of containers its a great hiding space for nasty critters.

7. Oven range hood – Oil, dust and organic particles build up. It’s a tough clean but worth the effort.

8. Fridge seals – Crumbs and food fall inside and are forgotten about. A vacuum cleaner will make short work of it.

9. Dish cloths – Replace regularly or use boiling hot water to kill germs.

10. Microwave – Bubbling, overheated food can make a real mess inside. Wipe it down after this happens to avoid build-up and yucky odours.

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Clean out your “junk drawer'”every once in a while. Photo: Stocksy

Bathroom and toilet

11. Shower tiles – Scum can build up so slowly you don’t notice it. Clean at least once a month.

12. Grout – As above; grout becomes discoloured and can be almost impossible to clean if left too long.

13. Toilet scum – Scrub the inside with a toilet brush and bleach once per week.

14. Mirrors – Wipe down soap and toothpaste splashback.

15. Toilet brush – This brush has the worst job in the world! Give it an early retirement by replacing every year.

16. Toothbrush holder – Bacteria builds up in this area quite easily. Keep it clean.

17. Drains – Mould and mildew accumulates inside the drain screen. Scrub regularly.

18. Shower head – Soak the head in a vinegar and water solution. You will be surprised how much better the water flow is.

19. Exhaust fan – Attracts dust. Clean regularly.

20. Vanity cupboard – Throw out old medications and moisturisers. You aren’t using them anyway.

Keep your toothbrush holder bacteria free. Photo: Stocksy

Lounge room and living areas

21. Underneath furniture – Move furniture and vacuum up the dust.

22. In between sofa cushions – Lift cushions and vacuum the mess. With any luck you may find a few bucks in there too.

23. Carpets and rugs – Vacuum weekly and use the professionals once a year.

24. Behind the TV – Excessive dust can look unsightly and limit the life of the TV.

25. Lighting covers – Dust and dead bugs build up in here. Remove the covers and clean as needed.

26. Blinds and curtains – Wipe down blinds and wash curtains to avoid dust build-up.

27. Picture frames and photos – Use a cloth to wipe down the tops of hanging frames and behind standing frames.

28. Tops of fans – Incredible volumes of dust gather on top of fans. A clean once a month should do it.

29. Light switches – Are surprisingly filthy! Use your favourite cleaner to wipe them down.

30. Skirting boards – Vacuum first then wipe with a wet rag.

Don’t forget to vacuum underneath furniture. Photo: Stocksy

Bedrooms

31. Sheets and pillow cases – Wash weekly. You sweat while you sleep and this ruins the sheets.

32. Pillows – They don’t last forever and are havens for dust mites. Replace every two years.

33. Under the bed – Move the bed and vacuum underneath thoroughly.

34. Mattresses – Strip the bed and thoroughly clean the mattress every three months.

35. Inside wardrobes – Spring clean once a year.

36. Dirty clothes basket – Spray with Febreze every few weeks to kill bacteria and freshen it up.

37. Lamps – Wipe down lamp shades and tops. You’ll be rewarded with a brighter lamp.

38. Old clothes – Dust, moths and other bugs make a home here. Donate unused clothing or consider plastic wrapping those you wish to keep.

39. Bedside table – Remove clutter and keep dust free. You will sleep more soundly.

40. Overhead storage – Don’t let junk accumulate here. It’s your bedroom and you want it tranquil and relaxing.

Wash your sheets and pillow cases weekly. Photo: Stocksy

While it may seem like a lot to manage, most of it takes a minimal amount of time. Also, not everything has to be done regularly. Use your own discretion and personal preference to create a clean home you’ll love.

Michael Brooke has been cleaning houses and carpets for over 15 years through his company Carpet Cleaning Sydney.