Superhuman Cleaning Hacks
Wiping down the counter: Easy. Tackling the dust bunnies behind the fridge: Not so much. Face it, some places in your house require almost circus-performer-like contortions to clean properly. Here, expert tips for getting the grime out of five hard-to-reach areas.
Between Radiator Coils
Wrap a dustcloth around a yardstick to get in between close coils. Or use a radiator brush (Brushtech radiator and baseboard cleaning brush, about $14; Amazon). Follow with a wet rag and soapy water. Finish by drying the radiator with a clean rag to prevent rust.
Pro Tip: Richard Trethewey, TOH plumbing and heating expert, notes that radiator fins and coils work by convection—cool air enters the bottom, gets heated by the copper tubing and aluminum fins, and rises. When dust builds up between those fins, it insulates them and robs the unit of heating efficiency. A thorough cleaning can restore performance without the cost of replacing the unit.
Behind the Toilet
You’re not alone if the area behind the toilet rarely makes your cleaning list. According to an American Cleaning Institute national survey cited in This Old House Magazine, while 77 percent of respondents said they do some form of spring cleaning, most admit they don’t feel they’re doing it right or doing enough—with hard-to-reach spots like behind the toilet among the most commonly neglected areas.
Use a clean toilet brush (not the one you use to clean the bowl) to reach behind the tank. Dried-on crusty stains? Hit them with a steam cleaner to loosen the grimy residue.
For stubborn limescale or mineral buildup on the porcelain behind the tank, try a squeeze of lemon juice or spray undiluted white vinegar directly on the deposits and let it sit for several minutes before wiping. A plastic paint scraper can help remove soap residue and calcium deposits without scratching the porcelain surface.
Along Horizontal Blinds
For a quick fix, bust out the vacuum. For a deeper clean, pop plastic or aluminum blinds out of their hardware and give them a bath in the tub using mild detergent; rehang once they’re dry. For wood styles, use a gloved hand to sweep the dust off each slat.
On Top of Ceiling-Fan Blades
Climb up on a stepladder and place a pillowcase over a blade, holding it closed to pull away dust. The case will contain the dirt.
For an even more effective clean, slip the pillowcase over each blade and wipe the inside surface with a microfiber cloth sprayed with a dust repellent like Endust. This traps dust inside the case while the repellent helps slow future buildup.
Pro Tip: Cleaning expert Melissa Maker, host of Clean My Space on YouTube, says dusting is usually enough if you keep up with it — fans don’t need much more than regular attention. Aim to wipe the blades with a dampened microfiber cloth or duster every three months or so.
In Back of the Refrigerator
Dust buildup on the coils can reduce your appliance’s efficiency. Set down a large piece of cardboard in front of the fridge to protect your floor, and wiggle the refrigerator out. Vacuum the coils, then wipe with a damp cloth.
For the best results, use a dedicated condenser brush or a radiator brush to loosen caked-on dust before vacuuming. You can also put your vacuum on exhaust mode and blow the debris out rather than trying to suction it from tightly spaced coils. Either way, be gentle — the fins are delicate and bend easily.
