Snowed In? Tackle These Easy-to-Forget Cleaning Tasks

When Indiana winter weather keeps you indoors, it can be a good opportunity to clean the places that rarely make your regular chore list.

Most of us remember the dishes, laundry, and floors. But when was the last time you cleaned the garage door button, wiped the top of your door trim, or vacuumed behind the couch?

You don’t have to spend your entire snow day cleaning. Pick a few easy-to-forget cleaning tasks, put on some music, and work through them at your own pace.

Warrum’s Cleaning has put together this checklist to help homeowners in Anderson, Pendleton, and surrounding Central Indiana communities find those overlooked spots.

Frequently Touched Surfaces

These surfaces get used throughout the day but are easy to miss during routine cleaning:

• Light switches: Wipe the switch plate without spraying liquid directly onto the switch or allowing moisture into openings.
• Door knobs and handles: Remember both sides of interior and exterior doors.
• Bathroom door, front door, and garage entry door: Look for fingerprints and dirt around handles, edges, and lower panels.
• Garage door button: Carefully wipe the surface, keeping moisture away from electrical openings.
• Banisters: Clean the handrail and check the spindles and nearby trim for dust.
• Phones: Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for cellular and home phones.
• Remote controls: Pay attention to the buttons and seams without letting liquid enter the device.

Use products appropriate for each surface and follow their labels. Cleaning removes dirt; if you also disinfect, follow the product’s required contact time.

Hidden Dust and Forgotten Floors

A room can look tidy while dust collects just out of sight. Check these areas:

• Closet and pantry floors: Move small items out of the way so you can reach corners and edges.
• Behind the couch and underneath chairs: Vacuum where crumbs, pet hair, and lost belongings collect. Get help before moving heavy furniture.
• Furniture: Dust accessible surfaces and vacuum upholstery using the appropriate attachment and care instructions.
• Baseboards: Remove loose dust, then wipe with a method suitable for the finish.
• Top ledges of door trim: These narrow surfaces are easy to overlook.
• Corners of walls and flooring: Check for dust, hair, and cobwebs.
• Behind doors: Open doors fully to reach the wall and floor areas they usually hide.
• Window sills: Remove dust, dirt, and loose debris.

Kitchen Areas That Need a Closer Look

Even a kitchen that gets cleaned daily has a few forgotten spots:

• Pet bowls: Wash food and water bowls regularly, along with the mat or floor underneath them.
• Inside trash cans: Empty the bin, clean the interior and lid, and let it dry before adding a fresh liner.
• Silverware drawer: Remove utensils and the organizer, then clean out crumbs and dust.
• Top of and inside the refrigerator: Wipe accessible surfaces and clean spills from shelves and drawers.
• Stove: Once it is cool, clean the cooking surface and other areas according to the appliance instructions.
• Garbage disposal: Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning directions. Never put your hand inside the disposal.
• Top of and inside the microwave: Clean food splatters and the turntable, and remove dust from the top without getting moisture into vents.
• Coffee maker: Clean removable parts and descale the machine as directed by the manufacturer.

Check food dates while cleaning the refrigerator and pantry. It’s also a good time to spot leaking containers or spills that have gone unnoticed.

Bathroom Spots Beyond the Sink and Toilet

A quick bathroom cleanup often misses the harder-to-reach areas:

• Behind toilets: Clean the floor, base, and nearby surfaces.
• Underneath sinks: Empty the cabinet, wipe the interior, and check for moisture or leaks before putting supplies back.
• Tub and shower: Give attention to corners, fixtures, and areas where soap residue collects.
• Shower drain: Remove accessible hair and debris according to the drain’s design. Avoid mixing drain-cleaning chemicals.
• Shower curtain and liner: Follow the care label for washing, or replace them when needed.

Use ventilation when cleaning and never mix cleaning chemicals.

Appliances, Electronics, and Overhead Dust

Finish your checklist with a few items that are easy to forget:

• Washer and dryer, inside and outside: Follow the appliance instructions for cleaning the washer drum, seals, dispensers, and dryer surfaces. Clean the dryer lint filter as directed.
• Computer screen, mouse, and keyboard: Turn devices off and follow their cleaning instructions. Avoid spraying cleaner directly onto electronics.
• Air vents: Remove dust from accessible vent covers. Surface cleaning is different from cleaning inside ductwork.
• Lamp shades and light fixtures: Turn lights off, allow bulbs to cool, and use a cleaning method suited to the material.
• Ceiling fans: Switch the fan off and remove dust from the blades using a safe, stable way to reach them.

Leave anything requiring unsafe climbing, electrical work, or heavy lifting for appropriate help.

Make It a Snow-Day Project, Not an All-Day Chore

Choose one room or set a timer for 20 minutes. You could tackle frequently touched surfaces first, clean a kitchen drawer next, or let each family member choose an age-appropriate task.

Children can help with picking up belongings or dusting reachable surfaces. Adults should handle chemicals, electrical items, climbing, and heavy furniture.

Keep this checklist handy and work through it over several days. Small efforts can help you reach the spots that usually get missed.

Need Help Catching Up on Cleaning?

Sometimes the list is longer than the time or energy you have available.

Warrum’s Cleaning offers residential cleaning in Anderson, Pendleton, Madison County, and surrounding Central Indiana communities. If you have specific overlooked areas you’d like addressed, mention them when requesting an estimate so we can discuss what is included in the work.

Call 765-425-1125 to discuss your cleaning needs and request an estimate.

Your Property. Our Priority.