5 Things in Your Living Room That You May Not Be Cleaning Enough

From late-night conversations and impromptu meals to sudden bursts of play and simply watching television, there are plenty of things that happen in the living room of your home that can lead to messes in their wake, but this can be easily solved with a regular cleaning schedule. However, even the most solid cleaning routines may forget certain areas and items in the living room that can unknowingly build up dust, dirt, and bacteria over time.

Here are a few neglected things in your living room that you should include in your cleaning routine!

Couches and Upholstered Furniture

Many individuals often leave their couches and upholstered furniture out of their cleaning routine, but this can come with some serious repercussions. The fabric and material of these items can accumulate dust, dirt, debris, and other pollutants and allergens over time, which can increase the wear and tear of your upholstery, while also contributing to allergens, pests, unwanted odors, and reduced indoor air quality.

Fortunately, all you really need to do is get your vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment and run this over the entire surface of your furniture a few times, making sure to really get into the tight corners and crevices. This will easily get rid of anything that may have built up in between the fibers. You can also hire professional sofa steam cleaners to get a much deeper cleaning for your upholstery.

Carpets and Rugs

While they may pull the entire room together and make everything look much more comfortable, carpets and rugs can only maintain their appearance when properly maintained, and an easy way to do this is through regular cleanings. Similarly to your upholstery, the fibers of your carpets and rugs can trap large amounts of contaminants such as dust, dirt, pet dander, and other allergens that can introduce various health risks to you and your loved ones.

To incorporate these items into your regular cleanings, run a vacuum cleaner over it at least once a week, making sure to go over one area a few times to really get all the surface impurities. You can also take your rugs outside and give them a good shake, which should loosen up and dislodge loose dirt and debris.

Windows and Glass Surfaces

Whether you have windows that allow some natural light into the room or tables that offer a minimalistic touch to your living area, it’s important to also give attention to the glass surfaces in your home. Some people forget to clean these items due to their naturally clean appearance, but you’ll be shocked at how much impurities actually gather on these glass surfaces when you take a closer look.

To start, you’re going to need a commercial glass cleaner, or you can make one yourself by mixing equal parts of warm water and white vinegar into a spray bottle. After dusting or brushing away any loose debris on the glass surface, apply your chosen cleaning solution sparingly, making sure to not use too much. Then, get a clean microfiber cloth or a sponge and use this to wipe the entire area with circular motions before drying it off with a clean and dry cloth.

Decorative Items

Many of us keep mementos and souvenirs that we’ve collected through the years in our living rooms, and it’s important to keep these clean as well. Depending on the material of the item, exposure to too much dust or dirt can actually accelerate its breakdown, which is pretty much the last thing you want to happen.

Every now and then, remove all of your decorative items from their places and wipe down the shelves or surfaces that they’re left on before also wiping down the items themselves. It’s such a simple and easy thing to incorporate into your routine, but it’ll help keep these commemorative display items in their best possible condition for much longer.

Remote Controls

Whether it’s the remote control for your television, speaker system, or your air conditioner, you must take the time to properly clean and sanitize this. Remote controls are frequently touched items, which can expose them to a wide range of bacteria, germs, and viruses that could spread and multiply, but regularly wiping them down with disinfectant wipes will keep these high-touch items clean and sanitary.

Every detail matters when it comes to keeping a clean and comfortable home, regardless of how little and unimportant it may seem. By addressing these commonly neglected items in your living room, you’ll be one step closer to achieving your dream of keeping your home sparkling clean and spotless.