If you want a thoroughly clean home, then it’s time to start taking lessons on the things people with clean home storage always do.
The inside of your drawers and cabinets might be concealed most of the time, but neglecting sanitation in these areas could lead to hidden mold, trapped odors, and pesky dust build-up, professional cleaners and organizers warn.
Luckily, they have shared these simple cleaning tips to ensure your home storage and your belongings stay sanitary.
Things people with clean home storage always do
Very simply, people with clean home storage clean theirs regularly – and for one very important reason. Deep Johal, professional cleaning specialist and owner of Sunny Side Clean Team explains, ‘Dust, lint, and even some mold can accumulate in hidden, dark, damp corners, leading to stagnant odors and mildew. These little cleaning habits performed regularly have a major impact in keeping clean and organized home storage.’
That being said, it is how you clean your storage that makes the difference, with these five tricks keeping any of your most-used storage ideas sanitary and free from the risk of mold or pests.
1. Wipe downs when rotating items
Whether you are cleaning kitchen cabinets or cleaning bedroom drawers, the first thing people with clean home storage do is take items out to clean. This makes it easier to reach all the areas for thorough cleaning results.
Deep shares, ‘One habit I always encourage to maintain cleanliness in storage around the house is wiping and cleaning the storage space while rotating items. For example, while changing seasonal clothing in the closet, I love to take the opportunity to clean the clothes closet by dusting off the shelves, vacuuming corners, and wiping surfaces down with a soft microfiber cloth and a gentle all-purpose cleaner.’
The Damp Duster uses nothing but water to quickly pick up and remove dust and crumbs from shelves without spreading them around.
Microfiber cloths are a great sustainable way to remove dust and grime from surfaces. Simply throw them in the washing machine after use to refresh before using again and again.
Method sprays are made with plant-based ingredients and have lovely fragrances, helping you break down grease and grime without lingering a chemical odor.
2. They hold ‘check-ins’
Speaking of rotating items, Deep suggests doing this regularly, adding it into your week as part of a decluttering schedule to offer more frequent opportunities to clean your home storage. This is especially important when cleaning a kitchen.
He says, ‘Another non-negotiable practice to maintain cleanliness and organization in pantries is holding routine check-ins during grocery shopping. Every time I bring home new groceries, I take a few extra minutes to check expiration dates, wipe down shelves with a mild vinegar solution to cut through grease and remove crumbs, and make sure older items are rotated to the front. That way, we are minimizing food wastage and also ensuring that nothing is going to be unnoticed until its expiration at the end of the pantry.
‘For dry goods like flour, sugar, and rice, I always suggest transferring them into airtight containers made of glass. This not only keeps pests like armies and pantry moths out but also minimizes any cleanup of spilled goods.’
The Rubbermaid Pantry Food Set, available at Target is a fantastic non-toxic home essential, offering air-tight glass storage that keeps food fresh without the risk of plastic contamination.
This regular check-in rule can also apply to bathroom storage ideas, albeit at a less frequent rate of once per month rather than once per week.
3. They use organizers
One of the unexpected benefits of good home organizing ideas is cleaner home storage.
Rob Behnke, co-founder and stylist at Fair Indigo explains that people with clean home storage ‘use bins, baskets, and clear labels to prevent chaos. There's nothing worse than having to pull out every single bin to see what's in it. A label can make a big difference.’
Deep adds, ‘For closets, fabric storage bins are recommended for seasonal items such as scarves and gloves, and transparent plastic bins with lids for long-term storage will be dust-proof. Shelf liners in the pantry aid in easier cleanup due to spills, which is a simple approach. My favorite items are stackable storage racks or lazy Susans, available at The Container Store, for the spice rack and canned goods so that nothing is hidden away and everything is visible and accessible.’
Using quality storage products professional organizers can’t live without also makes cleaning easier as items can be removed in bulk while reducing the risk of spills.
Perfect for everything from closets to pantries, clear stackable bins help make the most of vertical space while keeping everything visible so nothing is forgotten or lost.
For items you cannot hang such as sweaters, use zip-up garment boxes with clear fronts so you can see and access items easily, while protecting delicates from pests.
These non-adhesive, cut-to-size shelf liners can be used in kitchens and bathrooms to make cleaning out drawers and cabinets easier.
4. Incorporate pest control
Another major cause of mess in storage areas is pest infestations. People with clean home storage will usually always integrate natural pest control methods into their storage spaces, be it in the bathroom, living room, or kitchen, to keep them at bay, says Deep.
He shares, ‘I also suggest using blocks of cedar or lavender sachets [available at Amazon] to naturally keep everyday pests such as moths away and maintain a pleasant aroma in the storage units.’
These cedar blocks are all-natural, making them safe for use in closets and pantries.
5. They declutter regularly
More stuff equals more opportunity for dirt, not to mention that it makes cleaning more tedious. Rob explains that people with clean home storage will use decluttering tips regularly to stay on top of the mess before it gets out of hand.
He reveals, ‘They declutter by category or time of the year. For example, when spring rolls around, people who are organized will rearrange and re-organize all of their winter items and decor. This might be putting away the decor and clothing and cycling in their spring and summer wardrobe.’
Meet the experts
Adding all of your home storage spots onto your to-do list might make cleaning sound more overwhelming, but it is still possible to create an achievable cleaning routine by incorporating tasks into your existing schedule. Cleaning as you go, for example, helps to tick multiple tasks off your list at once, for a more manageable home.
