New Straits Times

Year-end sprucing

As much as we think we’ve got it all covered, there are certain household items that we tend to neglect when it comes to cleaning

- and clean from harmful bacteria.

IT’S that time of the year again! You know. almost at the tail end of one and just waiting for a brand new year to roll in. Every year, we promise ourselves to get our planning done right for the year-end festivitie­s which include shopping, baking, cooking, organising parties and get-togethers with friends and family.

But before we dive into all the fun bits, perhaps it’s an idea to start with a clean home. If you haven’t already, that is! From getting rid of unnecessar­y clutter to cleaning off the dusty corners we may have turned a blind eye to for most parts of the year, now is the time to get down to it.

And while you think you may have done enough cleaning, bacteria may still be lurking! You may have covered every visible corner and surface of your home, but don’t forget to also clean your cleaning tools and household items.

Here are some household items you’ll need to pay extra attention to this festive season:

WATER PURIFIER

Owning a water purifier is not enough especially if it isn’t serviced frequently.

The purpose of a water filter is to filter out bacteria, but if it’s not maintained or serviced regularly, it can breed bacteria. REFRIGERAT­OR

The festive season is usually when our fridge is overloaded with extra food, snacks, and drinks. Before we start cramming our

fridge with food supply, it’s best to give it a good clean when there’s less food in it! Start by throwing out food that has clearly passed its expiration date.

Next, take out removable wall shelves and drawers and wash them with dishwashin­g liquid and hot water. While drying the removables, don’t forget to wipe down the interior of the fridge as well as the outer surfaces. Ensure that the grimy corners are free of clog.

It’s advisable to give the fridge a deep clean every three to six months to make sure that our food storage system is safe

AIR PURIFIER

Did you know that indoor air pollution is five times worse than outdoor pollution? Luckily, most Malaysians do own an air purifier to keep their air clean at all times regardless of the season.

Just like the water purifier, the air purifier too requires some tender loving care in order to continuous­ly provide us with clean air to breathe.

VACUUM CLEANER

The vacuum cleaner has to be one of the best cleaning tools ever invented! But as important as it is, it’s also essential to clean the cleaning tool itself. For the vacuum cleaner to do its job, it needs a deep clean regularly.

If you’re not so sure when to clean your vacuum, just notice its effectiven­ess. Needing to vacuum the same spot over and over again is a tell-tale sign of excess dirt being trapped inside, reducing the suction power of your vacuum cleaner.

 ??  ?? Give the fridge a good clean.
Give the fridge a good clean.

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