Maintaining a home takes a lot of work. It’s a never-ending task that often feels rather thankless. The constant cycle of cleaning things you’ve already cleaned before may have you wondering what the point is. Is it really that big of a deal if you don’t clean your home regularly? What would happen if you stopped?
Mold and Allergens
Regular cleaning is one of the best ways to prevent mold growth and keep allergens from accumulating in your home. If you don’t clean regularly, it’s only natural for you to start dealing with mold and allergens on a more regular basis. Mold can often be found in areas of the home prone to being damp. Such areas in your average southern California home include bathrooms and kitchens, both of which have a significant amount of plumbing. Common household allergens also tend to accumulate. You can find them in virtually every room of the house, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned or replaced your furnace filter. The longer you wait to clean, the more they will accumulate.
Pest Issues
Think about the things that make your home comfortable for you to live in. It’s climate controlled, provides shelter from the elements, and has an ample supply of both food and water. Everything that makes it good for you can also make it inviting to pests. If you aren’t diligent about cleaning, you make your home even more attractive to them, especially if the messes involve crumbs that let off smells that they find enticing. You could find yourself dealing with rodents, cockroaches, or ants to an extent that is tough to deal with on your own. A serious ant problem that doesn’t go away with a store-bought spray can require more extensive pest control. The same goes for other pests. If DIY pest control methods aren’t enough, you may need to seek professional help. Overall, it’s best to avoid needing it by cleaning messes regularly so pests are less attracted to your home.
Unpleasant Smells
As if allergens and pests weren’t enough, not cleaning your home regularly can cause it to smell unpleasant. Garbage that’s allowed to sit for too long before being taken out, dirty dishes piling up, and even dirty laundry all have unpleasant smells. If left for too long, they can permeate the rooms they are in, the rest of the house, and even you personally. It’s possible that you may not notice the smell because you are so used to it. If you were to take a weekend away and then come home though, you might be surprised by how bad it smells. Regularly cleaning your home helps get rid of the sources of bad smells so your home smells more pleasant.
Not cleaning your home regularly can cause a lot of problems. Mold and allergens, pest issues, and unpleasant smells are just some of the things you can expect to deal with. Do yourself and everyone in your household a favor and keep up on cleaning in your home. You don’t have to do everything all by yourself, or even all at once. Set up a rotation and get everyone involved so you can all enjoy the benefits of a clean home.
Read this next: How to Build a Home That Can Last for Years