Deep Cleaning Home Checklist

Canada’s cough and cold season is around the corner! As temperatures begin to descend, the chances of catching a cold rises. Fight cold and flu germs this season by cleaning and sanitizing your home thoroughly. 

Concentrate on cleaning these areas of your home, which can often be neglected, the next time you pick up your rubber gloves and a rag:

Remote Control - a University of Virginia study showed "the remote control's surface is among the germiest" in a modern home. Half of the remote controls tested were positive for cold viruses. 

Light Switches - No matter how clean you think your hands are, each time you touch the light switch, you’re spreading germs. Wipe them down with a damp cloth and the cleaner of your choosing regularly.

Laundry Area - after the kitchen, this area of the house is most likely to be the source of a fire if it isn't maintained and kept clean. Lint escapes through tiny gaps around the edges of the dryer drum and falls into the cabinet, especially when the exhaust vent or vent cap is clogged, and airflow is restricted. The lint can get ignited by electric heating elements, gas burners or even a spark from the motor, and the flames then travel through the lint-lined exhaust vent. 

Trash Can - it's easy to forget an area we rarely see, even though it’s a part of the house we might frequent often. Each time you take out the trash, spray the inside of the trash can with a disinfectant. Once a month, wash it out with bleach and clean with hot water.

Pillows - about every four months or so. Throw them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with hot water to remove dead skin cells and sweat. When drying, add a couple of clean tennis balls to help speed up drying and keep the pillow guts from clumping.

Doorknobs and Locks - If you are using an alcohol-based cleaner, be careful not to get any on wood doors or trim, it could damage the finish.

Toothbrush Holder - The public health organization NSF International found that 64% of toothbrush holders contained mold and yeast, compared to 27% of toilet seats. They’re also far more likely to contain coliforms or staph, according to the study. It isn't pretty to think about, but it's easily avoided if cleaned regularly.

If the in-store products give you headaches, or you're just not sure how you feel about using unnatural products to clean your home, you can always try making your own. It's not as complicated as it sounds, and they're guaranteed safe.

All-Purpose Cleaner - Mix white vinegar, water, a lemon rind, and some rosemary sprigs into a spray bottle, shake and let sit for one week. Vinegar is the cleaning secret your grandma used on her home, and with the added power of the lemon rind, you can be rest assured your home is well taken care of as far as freshness and cleanliness go.

Kitchen Cleaner - 4 tablespoons baking soda and 1 quart of warm water is great for cleaning your appliances around your kitchen. Baking Soda is also great for shining up your stainless-steel appliances.

Glass Cleaner - Mix 2 cups of water,  ½ a cup of white or cider vinegar, ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol (70% concentration), and an optional 1 to 2 drops of orange essential oil for smell into a spray bottle. Avoid cleaning windows when they're in direct sunlight so the solution doesn't dry as fast. For mirrors, avoid spraying directly onto the mirror and spray into a paper towel before use.

Selling your house shouldn't be the only time you deep clean your house. A clean home leaves fewer places for germs and bacteria to hide, leaving your family healthier, and your home smelling cleaner.