Almost Everyone Forgets to Clean This “One Last Thing” in the Spring

Here we are, at the end of our Spring Cleaning Cure journey — and you’ve done some amazing things to get your home cleaner. You’ve dusted up high and cleaned down low under your bed. I hope you’re feeling like your home is a bit tidier and your to-do list is a bit lighter.

Although we’re at day 10, feel free to go back to any tasks you haven’t completed yet (you can see the full program here) or get started on something new you’ve been wanting to clean this season. You can also tackle anything on the cleaning to-do list you made at the beginning of this year.

To close the program, let’s give the cleaning tools that have helped us tremendously along the way their own well-deserved cleaning.

When putting together this task, I immediately thought of that one episode of Friends, where Monica Geller is seen cleaning her big vacuum with a handheld one. “If only there were a smaller one to clean this one!” she says. (I love it.) And just like her, we’re going to be cleaning our own cleaning tools to thank them for their service and make sure they are running smoothly for their next use.

Here are some tools that might need a deep cleaning.

• Rags, towels, microfiber cloths, and gloves. Hand- or machine-wash these items, then dry them — all depending on care instructions. 
• Cleaning supplies. Your spray bottles and cleaning containers might need a wipe-down.
• Dusters and dustpans. Wipe these clean with some soapy water and a cloth. You could also use a disinfectant solution or wipe, too.
• Brooms, brushes, and buckets. Use soapy water in a tub or bucket to clean the bristles of brooms and brushes, being careful to swish them until the water isn’t dirty. Let them air dry. Then, clean the bucket with soapy water.
• Vacuum cleaner. Clean the brush roller and accessory tools of debris, dust, and hair. A seam ripper can be great to use here. Then, move on to the interior of the canister. If it’s a bagless cleaner, remove and rinse it before setting it out to dry. If it’s time to replace a new bag or filter, take the time to do this now. Clean the outside of your vacuum, too.
• Specialty cleaners. If you’ve used any specialty cleaners — like a carpet and upholstery cleaner — take the time to clean those, too.

What tools did you clean today? Tell us in the community forum.

• Sign up for email updates.
• Visit the Spring Cleaning Cure page and catch up on assignments.
• Download the Spring Cleaning Cure calendar.
• Check off that you’ve completed this task and track your overall progress here.
• Join the conversation by checking out the Cure board in our community forum.
• Listen to our one-hour cleaning playlist on Spotify.

The Cure Program is a tradition here at Apartment Therapy — it happens every January, April, and September. Click here to learn more about the year-round program and when to sign up.