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Sure, you’re doing the necessary cleaning so that women will come into your apartment and not vomit or leave, not necessarily in that order. Since you’re a savvy dude, you’ve adopted some of the principles of the KonMari method and generally hiding anything that might be a red flag to a potential long-term mistake.
But are you really doing the kind of cleaning that focuses on eliminating secret gross spots? Of course you’re not. Who would? You’re a flawed human, but we can help you.
Here are some of the things you’re not cleaning that are leaving your place gross as hell. If this doesn’t help, it might be time to hire a maid (or just burn the place down altogether).
Scrub-a-dub: 5 Items You Didn’t Know You Can Clean In The Washing Machine
Squeaky-clean: 5 Shoe-Cleaning Hacks That Will Spark Joy In Sneakerheads
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Places You Need To Clean
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Reusable Grocery Bags
Hooray! We're all helping the environment by using these bags. However, you're also using them to transport things like raw meat. Beyond that, these bags spend a lot of time on the floor in between being lugged from place to place. It's for the best that you toss these in the washing machine about once a month with some baking soda to keep them so fresh and so clean. Or don't. Who cares that your raw chicken leaked all over it? Obviously, not you when you use it for something like apples at the farmers market the following week. Barf.
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Bath Mat
A lot of gross stuff goes on in the bathroom, which is why it's consistently the focal point of cleaning. However, when was the last time you washed the bath mat or rug in your bathroom? That bad boy sees the worst of the worst and if you're not tossing it in the washing machine at least every other week, you're about to be grossed out. Other than collecting mold from standing on it when you're wet, it's probably rubbing up against the toilet. Just wash it already!
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Remote Controls
The filthiest things in your apartment are usually the things that see the most traction, like your remotes. God knows where your hands have been outside your home, but think about the things you do in private. Use antibacterial wipes to clean the TV, Roku, Apple TV, and Firestick remotes. If you have other remotes, you don't need to brag, but obviously clean them, too.
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Coffee Maker
Your automatic coffee makers aren't safe either. If you're not cleaning it with a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar at least once a month, start. Dark, damp environments breed mold. Plus, the only thing that should ruin your morning cup of coffee is your life.
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Light Switches
Not to get all Howard Hughes on you, but light switches are germ central. They're one of the most commonly used items in your house. Say someone visits and uses your bathroom and they're sick. Their germs will spread to 80 percent of commonly touched items in the house. Once a week, take a magic eraser and wipe them all down so you can avoid locking yourself in your bedroom and peeing in jars.
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Door Knobs
People are weird. You don't know where their hands have been. Wipe off your door knobs and handles with antibacterial wipes. Thank you for coming to our Ted Talk.
