So many household items frequently need some extra careful deep cleaning, and can't just be left around to wait until we do our spring cleaning every year.
Things like pots and pans, bathroom tiles, bedsheets, and, of course, the toilet bowl, definitely need to be routinely cleaned.
But just how often should you really be cleaning them?
In an exclusive look below, we go through some of the rules that should ideally be followed when cleaning specific household items.
Some of these items, like the carpets, the kitchen sink, and the bath towels, very obviously need to be cleaned regularly.
But some of the items thrown in there are a little trickier to figure out, and the suggested procedures for cleaning them may even come as a surprise to you.
Scroll further to find out how often you should actually wash your household items, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
1. Bedsheets
Ideally, bedsheets should be washed every week.
Everything from skin cells and sweat to dust mites and other dirty particles collect on the sheets, and will really build up and give off a funky smell when left unwashed.
2. Comforter
You can "time the washing of your comforter to the changing of the seasons," like home organizing expert Maeve Richmond does.
A good rule of thumb is to wash the comforter when the weather gets colder, and once again in the spring.
3. Bath Towels
Bath towels should ideally be changed out after every three to four uses.
Some people wonder why this is necessary, as our bodies are fresh and washed when we towel ourselves down.
The truth is, these towels are soaked with water during and after each use, and can therefore easily attract bacterial growth.
4. Toilet Bowl
Experts suggest cleaning toilet bowls once every week.
Try pouring 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 1/4 cup of bleach into the toilet bowl, and let sit for a few minutes, before scrubbing the entire interior with a toilet brush and flushing.
5. Dish Towels
Dish towels are pretty nasty, if you think about how many surfaces they've scraped over, and how many dirty items they've collected, so once a week seems like a reasonable amount of time before you throw one in the wash.
Bacteria and viruses can potentially live all over your kitchen: on your counters, dishes, and certainly your dish towels.
6. Grout
Grout can live on any surface, but usually absorbs the oils from shampoos, conditioners, and soaps in the bathroom. This produces mildew growth all over the bathroom's tiles.
To clean grout, mix 10 parts water to one part bleach, and scrub using a soft-bristled brush, according to Martha Stewart.
7. Floor Mats And Rugs
Dirt and grime will inevitably build up on the mats and rugs throughout your home.
Generally, you should vacuum these surfaces once a week, and try to deep-clean throw rugs in the washing machine.
8. Kitchen Sink Drain
Debris, gunk, and bacteria accumulate heavily in and around the kitchen sink.
To clean, first flush the drain with boiling water, and then with a mixture of vinegar, hot water, and baking soda.
This will help with the bacteria breakdown, and neutralize any lingering odors, according to Martha Stewart.
9. Oven
The inside of an oven can prove tricky to clean sometimes.
AllYou suggests removing the racks first, and to dunk them in boiling water with dishwasher liquid. Soak them overnight.
In the meantime, spray the inside of the oven and its door with an oven cleaner, and let that sit overnight, as well, before cleaning off with a warm rag.
10. Refrigerator
Your refrigerator should be cleaned out seasonally.
Start by removing all the contents from the fridge before thoroughly wiping down the inside.
Then, deodorize the shelves with a water and baking soda solution.
11. Stairs And Landing
Areas like foyers, landings, and stairs should be vacuumed and cleaned quite frequently.
Substances like dirt and bacteria can be tracked on these surfaces, so make sure to give these areas a thorough sweep.
12. Mattress
It may be hard to believe, but mattresses are pretty easy to clean.
First, take off all of the bedsheets and vacuum the top of the mattress using an upholstery attachment.
Remove any stains with a damp cloth and upholstery shampoo, being careful to not soak the mattress, or let moisture collect.
13. Pots And Pans
Obviously, you should clean pots and pans with dishwasher soap after every use.
But for a really nice deep clean, AllYou suggests bringing the cookware outside, or to a well-ventilated area, and hose them down with soap and water.
It may sound strange to clean pots and pans outside, but the extra elbow room allows you to maneuver and position all your cleaning equipment more comfortably, especially if you're cleaning a lot of items.
If the stains are particularly stubborn, try spraying the spots down with some oven cleaner, before rinsing thoroughly.
You can also try soaking them in a vinegar and water solution, or even ammonia, suggests the lifestyle site.
14. Washer And Dryer
Washing machines may clean our clothes, but they can be heavily contaminated with bacteria.
Our clothes are crawling with dirt and bacteria — and our underwear, rather horrifically, can contain E. coli and other scary strains of bacteria and germs.
Make sure to clean your washer and dryer whenever you're finished going through certain whites, says AllYou.
Sanitize the washer with hot water and bleach.
15. Purse
The surfaces and pockets in your purse can be a scary breeding ground for bacteria, germs, and even E. coli.
Try to clear out the contents of your purse once each week, and make sure to pay extra attention to the bottom of your purse.
You can use disinfecting wipes or baby wipes for most purses. Machine- or hand-wash your cotton bags in very hot water, then let them air-dry.
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