This Is What Happens When You Never Deep Clean Your House
For most of us, chores are not our preferred way of spending a Saturday afternoon. Thankfully, it doesn't take much time to put a few things away, throw some laundry in the washer, and press "start" on the dishwasher. What takes a heck of a lot more time, unfortunately, is a thorough deep cleaning of the house. Baseboards, ceiling fan blades, and shower scrubbing require a lot of physical energy. It can be tempting to simply sweep things under the rug — pun intended. But what happens if we neglect our deep cleaning for too long?
According to Twinkle Clean, what makes deep cleaning distinct is that it goes far beyond the scope of a standard cleaning. Deep cleaning requires getting down and dirty, and tackling the sources of deeply embedded grime in our homes. This can include cleaning behind large appliances like refrigerators, scrubbing the inside and outside of the oven, and meticulously dusting each blind on our windows. The founder of Twinkle Clean stresses the importance of a deep clean from a financial standpoint, noting that renters can lose out on their deposit return if a sufficient cleaning isn't done upon moving out.
Aside from money loss, are there potential health risks to never deep cleaning your home?
Don't neglect the bedroom or the kitchen
The more clutter in your home, the more important a deep clean is for your health and safety. However, experts suggest that a simple standard cleaning can also be highly effective in preventing illness from bacteria or allergens, if done on a regular basis (via LiveStrong). Erin Reigh, an allergist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, explains via LiveStrong, " ... we can never completely get rid of allergens — including dust mites, pet dander and mold spores. They build up over time, so it is more important to do a little bit of housekeeping on a regular basis than it is to do one major cleaning."
When it comes to standard cleaning, there are specific areas in your home you'll want to pay close attention to — particularly the bedroom and the kitchen. According to LiveStrong, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) reports that the bedroom is a prime place for dust mites to hide. Our sheets and pillowcases provide a happy home for these pests, so washing your bedding once a week is important to prevent breathing issues. Additionally, kitchen countertops serve as a ripe place for bacterial growth, some of which can be harmful if ingested. For this reason, be sure to always wash surfaces and cooking utensils thoroughly with hot water and soap.
For those who are vigilant about deep cleaning, professionals at Houseproud Cleaning suggest hitting commonly overlooked spots semi-regularly. For instance, microwaves, carpets, and bathroom fixtures such as tubs, toilets, showers, and even bath mats, should be cleaned weekly. Refrigerators should receive a cleaning once a month, and mattresses, blankets, windows, and drapes should be cleaned twice a year.