24 Dusty Places In Your House You're Probably Forgetting About

Save this one for your next cleaning session. Here's where you're forgetting to dust.

If your home is anything like ours, your number one cleaning enemy is dust (OK, and pet hair and dishes and laundry too). It's made up of plant pollen, human and animal hairs, textile fibers, paper fibers, soil, human skin cells, burnt meteorite particles, and more, and it is everywhere. It's just a fact of life. But some places, particularly those that are hard to reach and/or see, can become absolute magnets for the stuff.

Though seemingly innocuous, dust can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory issues. Thorough and regular dusting is a key step in maintaining healthy air quality in your home. So, hang onto this list of places you might be missing for the next time you roll up your sleeves to do battle with dust.

Shelves and Cabinets

Tops of Bookshelves

The top of a bookshelf is typically an out-of-sight, out-of-mind area in the home which only means that it builds up dust quickly. Remove any items from the top and take a long duster or damp microfiber cloth and run it over the surface.

Tops of Kitchen Cabinets

Along with dust, grease builds up on the tops of kitchen cabinets and can get caked on without properly cleaning. Use dish soap and water or vinegar and water and scrub carefully to remove any gunk.

Walls and Windows

Window and Door Frame Ledges

With their centralized locations, window and door ledges can build up a large amount of dust over time. Clean them with ease by using a simple sponge and running it through the ledges to get into every crevice perfectly.

Window Treatments

Window treatments, like blinds, are a great way to control the amount of light in a space, but they can get dusty quickly. With slated blinds, microfiber dusters work well to wipe away dust in each slat and can be easily maneuvered around any other elements like lift cords.

Ceilings and Walls

The South's high humidity creates an environment perfect for dust to thrive. Dust your walls from the top down using an unused paintbrush or dry microfiber towel.

Baseboards

Because baseboards jut out from the wall, they very easily accumulate dust over time. Go over them with a vacuum brush attachment or damp cloth to remove dust. Follow it up by wiping them down with a dryer sheet to reduce dust in the future.

Fixtures and Vents

Light Bulbs

The U.S. Department of Energy says that dirty light bulbs provide 30% less light than clean ones, so regular cleaning is a great habit to get into. To ensure safety, turn the power to the bulb off and remove any plugs connected to the bulb. Let the bulb cool and wipe with a dry cloth to save money and energy.

Air Vents

Air contaminants like dust, pet hair, and chemicals build up in vents and ducts over time which can flare allergies and cause your air conditioning to work less efficiently. Cleaning your vents with a microfiber duster or a vacuum with a brush attachment at least once a month will save you money on your energy bill and potential cloggings.

Overhead Light Fixtures

With overhead light fixtures, cleaning the bulb and the fixture is necessary to get a thorough clean. Carefully take a long duster and wipe off any dust from the fixtures.

Tops of Air Conditioner Units

Too much dust buildup on an A/C unit can require professional help to come in. Avoid this by unplugging your unit and using a microfiber cloth to remove any dust on the top of the unit and in the grilles. If necessary, spray the cloth with an all-purpose cleaner for a deeper clean.

Ceiling Fans

Dusty ceiling fans can spread allergens all over a room, so carefully use a long, extendable duster to take out any dust. Use a mask or face covering to avoid any inhalation.

Decor

Decorative Items and Knickknacks

While decorative items give a space style and personality, they can easily collect dust and increase allergens in the home. Since many decorative items are delicate, using a dryer sheet or feather duster are great ways to carefully remove dust.

Frames and Artwork

A home isn't complete without art or pictures, but the frames in which they're held can accumulate a lot of dust. Give frames a light dusting with a feather duster every so often to keep pictures looking great.

Electronic Screens

Although not too noticeable when turned on, electronic screens like a TV hold dust that contrasts strongly with the black color. Carefully clean it off with a feather duster to remove dust.

Tops of Books

Books make for a great decoration but can easily collect dust. Wipe the dust off without hurting the cover by lightly using a dry cleaning sponge or a soft brush attachment for a quick fix.

Candles

Candles are placed in open spaces which leaves them vulnerable to dust buildup. Because dust sticks to wax, using a damp microfiber cloth or an old pair of hosiery is the best way to get the buildup off without hurting the shape of the candle.

Plant Leaves (Real and Fake)

It's always nice to have a fresh pop of green in the home, but plants do not come without a proper care routine. Use a duster or dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe the leaves and get rid of dust.

Related: Why You Should Be Dusting Your Houseplants

Lampshades

The fabric of lampshades collects dust easily, so gently wipe a microfiber cloth over them to remove the buildup.

In The Bathroom

Showers

It's extremely important to maintain a clean shower, and removing dust is one portion of this. Vacuum the wall to remove loose dust and then scrub with a damp microfiber towel to get any extra dust stuck.

Top of Toilet Tank

Keeping a clean bathroom is necessary, and the toilet is an important factor in this. If it's not time for a full toilet cleaning, grab a disinfectant wipe and gloves to wipe down anywhere on the toilet.

Furniture and Appliances

Nightstands

Having a dust-free environment to sleep in can improve your sleep quality significantly. Remove all items from your nightstand or bedside table to get an effective clean, then wipe down the surfaces with a microfiber cloth.

Underneath Your Furniture

The floor underneath large furniture items like a bed or sofa are some of the dustiest places in any home and should be cleaned at least once a month to maintain a clean floor. Get out your vacuum or extendable duster to do a clean sweep.

Related: How to Clean Behind Big Kitchen Appliances, Including the Fridge

The Top of the Refrigerator

The top of the refrigerator is an easily overlooked part of the kitchen, which only means that it builds up dust fast. Stand on a step stool and take a damp cloth to remove dust and grime from the top.

Bed Frames

Whether your bed frame is wood or upholstered, dust can easily accumulate and actually worsen sleep quality. Avoid this by using a vacuum cleaner with a nozzle attachment for an upholstered frame, or a microfiber cloth for a wood frame.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.