Before diving into spring cleaning, remember to add these 16 spots to your list to ensure your home is as clean and healthy as possible.

Spring cleaning is an annual ritual and washing windows, dusting behind the furniture, cleaning appliances and laundering linens are at the top of many people’s seasonal to-do list, according to an American Cleaning Institute survey. But don’t forget these 16 often overlooked (but essential) spring cleaning locations to really get your home sparkling clean.

Under appliances

You know that cleaning up spills and tossing outdated foods in the refrigerator helps prevent mold, mildew and odors, and scouring the oven reduces the risk of fire. Don’t forget to clean under the appliances too.

“Throughout the year, dust accumulates on the floor and in the cracks and crevices on the back of appliances,” says Katie Barton, in charge of cleaning content for the home design ideas website homedit.com. Barton advises pulling out the refrigerator and using the crevice tool on the vacuum to remove dust from the floor, walls, back and sides of the fridge, including the refrigerator coils. Take a similar approach to cleaning behind the stove; if it’s secured in place, remove the drawer and use the vacuum to clean underneath the appliance. An all-purpose cleaner and microfiber cloth are perfect for cleaning the floor under appliances, Barton adds.

Refrigerator water dispensers

After you clean beneath the fridge, tackle the water dispenser.

“Between the moisture from the dispenser and mineral buildup, [water dispensers] can easily become home to mold and bacteria,” says Michael Rubino, mold and air quality expert and founder of HomeCleanse, a home air purification company. “These areas can get incredibly dirty without proper cleaning.”

Your refrigerator manual will offer step-by-step instructions for cleaning the water dispenser. The instructions might include turning off the water dispenser and ice maker and pulling out the removable pieces before cleaning. Spray the unit with white vinegar and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth; a toothbrush can be used to get into the crevices; rinse with warm water and allow the dispenser to dry before turning on the water and ice maker.

Read the full article here: https://www.woodtv.com/abc4/daily-buzz/encore-years-by-aarp/16-spots-to-add-to-your-spring-cleaning-list/