September Review: Where Dust Hides in the House 0 2487

In summer, we want to spend as little time at home as possible, so many people postpone their deep cleaning until autumn. This is quite logical. In September, we start closing windows more frequently, heating will soon be turned on, which means a completely different home season begins.

And it’s better to start autumn cleaning not with what is visible, but with the most inconspicuous places.

First, Check Under the Bed

Even if the floor around is regularly vacuumed, an astonishing amount of dust can accumulate under the bed or sofa over a few months. Especially if the furniture is low and the regular vacuum attachment hardly fits underneath.

If possible, move lightweight furniture aside. First, thoroughly vacuum the dust and only then proceed to wet cleaning. If you do it the other way around, the wet dust will turn into dirty streaks, which are significantly harder to clean.

Also, check the boxes and containers stored under the bed. They also need to be wiped down, and the contents sorted through. Perhaps half of the items that have been lying around “just in case” for years are no longer needed.

We Look Up Too Rarely

Another area that is easily forgotten is the tops of cabinets, lofts, and high shelves.

A dense layer of dust accumulates there, especially if the surface hasn’t been wiped for several months. First, carefully collect the main dust with a slightly damp cloth or a suitable vacuum attachment, and then wipe the surface.

There’s a simple household trick. After cleaning the top of a high kitchen cabinet, if it’s safe and doesn’t obstruct the ventilation of the appliances, you can place a suitably sized sheet of paper there. During the next deep cleaning, it will be easy to remove it along with the settled dust and replace it with a new one.

Pay Special Attention to Radiators

Before the heating season, be sure to check behind the radiators and between their sections. This is where dust, pet hair, and small debris accumulate during the summer.

When the radiators get hot, streams of warm air start to rise and can carry along the dust that has settled nearby.

It’s easier to clean it while the heating is still off. A narrow vacuum attachment or a special long brush will work for accessible areas. The floor under the radiator should also be thoroughly vacuumed and wiped.

There’s no need to disassemble the radiators yourself for cleaning.

Check the Ventilation

We usually only pay attention to ventilation grilles when they are already covered with a noticeable gray coating.

In September, it’s worth inspecting them in the kitchen, bathroom, and other rooms. Dust can be removed from the surface of the grille with a vacuum or a damp cloth; if the design allows, it can be removed and washed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

However, you shouldn’t try to climb deep into the ventilation ducts or attempt to clear them with improvised tools. If the ventilation is working poorly, it’s better to contact specialists or the service organization.

Send Summer Clothes on “Vacation”

September is the time to gradually change the contents of your wardrobe. Swimsuits, beach towels, light dresses, and other exclusively summer items should be sent to the back shelves.

There’s an important rule here: only send clean and completely dry items for long-term storage.

Even a nearly invisible stain from food, cosmetics, or sweat can become significantly more stubborn over a few months. And damp fabric in a closed box or bag will acquire a musty smell and create conditions for mold to develop.

Before storing, wash or clean the items according to the care label instructions, dry them completely, and only then fold them away.

Don’t Forget the Mattress

Since you’ve reached the bed, take a few minutes for the mattress. Remove the bedding and protective cover, if there is one. Wash the cover according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and carefully vacuum the surface of the mattress with a suitable clean attachment.

Some mattresses are recommended to be turned periodically, but this depends on the specific model. Therefore, it’s best to check the instructions: modern one-sided mattresses should not be flipped, although they can sometimes be rotated from head to foot.

Also, inspect the bed frame and the space around it.

Curtains Also Collect Dust

Curtains may look completely clean, but quite a bit of dust settles on the fabric over the summer. If the material allows machine washing, early autumn is a suitable time to tidy them up. In other cases, follow the instructions on the label.

Don’t forget about the curtain rods. The top part is another place that rarely gets wiped down.

Blinds and roller shades should also be cleaned in a manner suitable for the specific material.

What Else to Check in One Day

You can use the autumn cleaning as a small inventory of the entire house. Look behind the sofa and large armchairs, wipe the baseboards, door frames, the tops of interior doors, and lampshades. Check the space around the washing machine and refrigerator, if safe access is available.

It’s also useful to inspect the pantry. Throw away expired products, check opened packages of cereals, and wipe down the shelves. This will also clarify what really needs to be bought in bulk and what is already sufficient at home.

The Main Thing — Don’t Try to Do Everything at Once

Deep cleaning doesn’t have to turn into a marathon lasting hours. Divide the apartment into zones. Today — the bedroom and closets, tomorrow — the kitchen, then the bathroom and hallway.

You can use a simple rule: every day, tackle one place that usually gets neglected. Today it’s the space under the bed, tomorrow — the tops of cabinets, the day after tomorrow — the radiators.

In a week, you’ll find that most of the autumn cleaning is done without a single exhausting “deep cleaning day.”

While the Radiators Are Still Cold

The main advantage of September cleaning is the opportunity to prepare the apartment for the season of closed windows and heating in advance. Remove dust from hard-to-reach places, clear the space around the radiators, wash the home textiles, and send summer clothes for storage.

And you can start with the simplest task. Bend down and look under the bed. Perhaps what you see will serve as the most convincing reminder that it’s indeed time for autumn cleaning.