Cleaner reveals the spots you’re missing in your home & exact schedule you must follow to keep it sparkling

MOST of us have a simple cleaning routine – floors are vacuumed, worktops wiped, kids’ toys are put away. But according to Krasi Delcheva, a cleaning expert with more than 25 years of experience, there are plenty of places in the average home that we all secretly ignore, for months or even years at a time. Krasi Delcheva is a cleaning expert with more than 25 years of experience Credit: CLEANERS OF LONDON Wiping down your counters isn’t enough to keep your home clean Credit: Getty And it’s not a good thing if you want your space sparkling. Krasi, who works with Cleaners of London, believes there are 10 spots around your home that you are neglecting when you clean. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! So how many are you guilty of? Behind the bed, bedside cabinets, and TV If you do this every six months, you’re beating the majority of people according to Krasi. She says: “Out of sight, out of mind is the issue here, but if left, dust can really aggravate asthma and allergies, which is bad news if you’re breathing it in all night.” Tops of wardrobes and kitchen cupboards The cleaning expert claims these are the places “that most of us neglect for years”. She adds: “In some cases, they’re never cleaned, leading to a huge build-up of dust, grease and grime. It’s not something that will kill you, but it’s not hugely hygienic either.” Corners of rooms We all have dust bunnies from time to time, but if you leave dust to gather behind furniture and along skirting boards for too long, Krasi says it can affect indoor air quality. Most read in Fabulous Kitchen extractor fan Krasi admits that xleaning your extractor fan filter can be a “horrible job”. She adds: “Most of us leave it for months. But the longer you leave it, the less effective the filter will be.” Chandeliers, light fittings, chair legs, ornaments, and books These can easily go six months to a year or even longer between cleans according to the cleaning pro. But when disturbed, you can guarantee that dust will cause a sneezing fit. Venetian blinds Despite being moved regularly, Krasi says blinds are dust magnets and should be cleaned fortnightly. But she claims most of us only tackle them every few months. Light switches and the front door handle “Who cleans their light switches?” Krasi questions . “The answer is very few of us! But as high-touch areas, they really should be at least a weekly priority, along with your door handles.” There are plenty of dusty spots in your home that need tackled Credit: Getty What should you clean and when? Cleaning expert Krasi Delcheva reveals the exact schedule you should follow: Washing machine detergent drawers: Monthly Extractor filter: Fortnightly Shower head: Weekly Mattress: Vacuum monthly; steam every 6 months Curtains: Every 6 months Venetian blinds: Fortnightly Behind white goods: Once or twice a year Inside radiators: Every 3 months High-touch surfaces: Weekly Keyboard and mouse: Weekly to monthly Cupboard/wardrobe tops: Every 3-6 months Sofa/under sofa: Every 3-6 months Sofa legs This isn’t a priority for anything other than cosmetic reasons, according to the cleaner. “That’s why few people clean them more than once a quarter”, she adds. Keyboards and mice “Again, these are high-touch areas and can carry all kinds of bacteria, especially if shared”, Krasi says. “But many of us never clean our keyboards at all.” Marks on doors and walls Wall scuffs and fingerprints are an aesthetic annoyance, but rarely cause much harm. Depending on the household, Krasi claims they can be “dealt with immediately, or left to linger indefinitely”. And if you want to pick just one job to get yourself started, she suggests: “Do the kitchen extractor filter. It will work better! “If you have time after that, spend five minutes on your door handles and light switches. They’re grubbier than you might think.” Comment now