19 home items you should be cleaning every month

Save your worn-out toothbrushes because they’re great for cleaning grout. Just apply a little bit of detergent to the head of the brush. It works especially well on corners.

Learn how to refresh grout on tiled floors.

Cleaning light fixtures on a monthly basis keeps your fixtures from becoming covered in dust. To clean ceiling fixtures wipe the fixture with a cloth and remove the globe or pan for a quick shine as well as dumping any bug remains. You’ll be surprised how much brighter the light is with a little cleaning.

The purpose of the rangehood filter is to collect grease, so over time, it will become less effective as the grease builds up. To clean them, simply remove them and place them in a sink full of hot water, dishwashing liquid, and baking soda. Leave to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. If needed, scrub the remaining grease off with a brush, and then rinse clean. Dry the filters with a paper towel before replacing them.

Find out more about how to maintain your stove and rangehood.

Your garage doors are probably a series of panels that are connected with hinges and have either metal or plastic rollers on each side. Use an appropriate lubricant, depending on metal or plastic rollers, to keep your garage door operating smoothly and prolong its useful life.

You may not notice the air vents in your home regularly, but they can quickly build up dust around the vent covers. Dust them monthly to keep dust from blowing out into your rooms. Wipe down the nearby wall as well to remove any dust that has accumulated there.

Rugs are great at trapping dirt and dust so it’s important that you wash them on a regular monthly basis. No need to hire a professional, you can clean your area rugs yourself! Learn how to properly clean area rugs yourself with this step-by-step guide.

A monthly cleaning for windows includes cleaning both the inside of the glass and cleaning the windowsills. Use a glass cleaner to remove streaks on the windows. If you wait for an overcast day, you can reduce the chance of leaving streaks on the glass.

Appliances like the microwave take a lot of abuse. At least once a month, treat them to a deep cleaning that renews them to their original glory. Scrub down the inside and outside of your microwave oven.

Discover how to clean your microwave with a lemon.

If it has been a while since you’ve cleaned your ceiling fan, take a look up. You’re likely to see a ton of dust and dirt clinging to your fans. Dust the ceiling fan at least once a month to keep it looking nice, functioning well, and prevent all that dust from being dispersed in the air.

Even if you empty your dryer’s lint trap before each load, chances are there is still lint build-up around the area that could potentially cause a fire. So it’s important to deep clean the area once a month, and this handy hint will get the job done. Wrap a clean rag around one end of a paint stir stick. Remove the lint trap and clean out the area with the rag-covered stick. To help the lint stick to the rag, dampen it with water first.

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Source: RD Canada