You have the list. You know the one.
It’s probably part of the eternal bargaining with your partner—“I’ll deal with the garbage cans if you wash down the stroller”—or those spots you keep putting off until you think they’re just too far gone. Every spilled yogurt pouch or torn garbage bag sets you back just a little bit more.
Take comfort in knowing you’re not alone. According to the American Cleaning Institute, nearly half of all people rank hard-to-reach places as their most dreaded cleaning tasks, while 39% admit to avoiding areas they consider “too filthy” to tackle.
But these spaces need attention, no matter how much we want to pretend otherwise. We’re breaking down these often-overlooked—and often-feared—areas to make them a little more manageable.
Improve air quality and HVAC efficiency with air duct cleaning.
About 80% of homeowners don’t clean their air ducts according to the recommended schedule (a full servicing every three to five years). But that neglect can impact your home’s air quality and your HVAC system’s efficiency.
When ducts get clogged with dust, pet dander, and other particulates, it can reduce your system’s capabilities. That means your HVAC system has to work harder—and your energy bill will increase in step. It also means those particulates are constantly recirculated throughout your home, which can trigger allergies and asthma.
Professional duct cleaning involves specialized equipment to remove that built-up debris. It’s particularly important to maintain scheduled cleanings if you have a wood-burning fireplace, signs of mold or mildew, evidence of rodent activity, or family members with respiratory sensitivities.
To prolong that freshness, it’s crucial to eliminate any lingering airborne odors. Azuna’s tea tree oil-based gels offer continuous odor control in an HVAC-safe container.
Choose your solution—Luxe Glass jar or plastic pod—and place inside one of your home’s vents. For maximum effectiveness in areas with high humidity or heavy odors, consider leaving gel containers uncapped for the first 48 hours to maximize diffusion (while ensuring it’s out of reach of any children or pets).
Prevent mold, mildew, and unpleasant odors with dishwasher maintenance.
Your dishwasher works hard to clean your dishes, but when was the last time you cleaned it? Its warmth and near-constant moisture create the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, while trapped food particles in the filter can lead to unpleasant odors. Regular maintenance is key to keeping your dishwasher running smoothly and odor-free.
Start by removing and cleaning the filter with warm, soapy water, then wipe down the door seals and edges with a microfiber cloth to remove any particles that may have collected. You can squeeze a quarter-sized amount of Azuna's odor-eliminating gel onto the filter once it’s replaced to neutralize any lingering smells. And, for more stubborn odors, consider leaving the gel inside your closed, empty machine overnight, then run a hot wash cycle to rinse it away.
Although your dishwasher’s seal is designed to be water-tight, microscopic food particles can get trapped in its folds, creating spaces where water—and, consequently, mold or fungi—can thrive. A New York Times article found that using a dry microfiber cloth and white vinegar solution cleans and disinfects those plastic crevices.
For extra protection, spray our tea tree oil-based Odor Eliminator and Surface Cleaning Spray onto the seal. The tea tree oil will neutralize any odors caused by mold or food particles.
Please note: Azuna is not approved for use with septic systems.
Eliminate dust, dander, and odors by cleaning your ceiling fans and light fixtures.
Ceiling fans and light fixtures are used daily, but they’re often forgotten when it comes to cleaning. Over time, they become silent collectors of household debris—with dust, pet dander, and airborne particles settling on blades and inside globes. Even worse, every time you turn on that dusty fan, you’re circulating all those particles back into your air.
But, with the right tools, cleaning might be easier than you think. Attach a microfiber cloth to an extension pole or use a Swiffer with an extendable handle, then dampen with our Odor Eliminator and Surface Cleaning Spray. Wipe down the fan blades and light fixture glass. Our natural tea tree oil-based formula not only cleans effectively but also targets and neutralizes lingering odors, leaving your overhead spaces fresh and truly clean.
An added benefit? Regularly cleaning your ceiling fans can improve their efficiency, as they’ll be free of the dust and dirt that can affect their mechanisms.
Clean your indoor and outdoor trash cans to eliminate odors and odor-causing bacteria.
Your garbage cans handle the worst of your household waste. But cleaning them doesn’t have to be the worst of your household’s jobs. Regular maintenance will keep both indoor and outdoor bins fresh and sanitary.
Ensure that your outdoor bins are empty, then hose them down thoroughly, focusing on the hinges and handles where dirt is most likely to accumulate. After drying in direct sunlight, use our Ultra Mist spray (liberally) to combat any lingering odors or potential odor-causing bacteria. Pro tip: Make garbage day your cleaning day. We recommend a weekly refresh during summer months when heat accelerates odor development.
Handling your indoor garbage cans isn’t too different. You can use soapy water (or our surface cleaning spray) to remove any residue, then let dry. Our Ultra Mist is perfect for interior pick-me-ups, too, but for additional and longer-lasting solutions, use one of our two-ounce prefilled pods. Simply unwrap and place in the bottom of your container for continuous odor control. Even when covered with a plastic bag (and household trash) the pod will continue to work for up to ninety days. Pro tip: Your pods are reusable, so you’re able to refill with your favorite scented gel any time you need a refresh.
Dust your blinds and vacuum your curtains for better indoor air quality.
While you might tackle your windows regularly (or semi-regularly—we won't judge), your window coverings often get overlooked. But fabric curtains and plastic miniblinds are major dust magnets, and they’re prone to harboring allergens that can affect your indoor air quality.
To clean your blinds, it’s worth investing in a blind duster—a multi-pronged tool with a microfiber covering that’s designed to clean several slats at once.
Work from top to bottom to avoid redistributing dust, and use our Odor Eliminator and Surface Cleaning Spray to more easily pick up dust or dander and freshen your blinds and windowsills. For metal or plastic blinds, consider an annual deep clean in your bathtub.
The same spray works on your fabric curtains, too (though we recommend checking your care labels and doing a spot test in an inconspicuous area first). To freshen, use your vacuum's handheld attachment or a fabric steamer to lift out any trapped dirt, pet hair, or wrinkles, then lightly mist with our Ultra Mist. For best results, leave your windows open afterward to help with circulation.
Remove grime and stubborn residue (without damaging your electronics).
Not able to start your nighttime snack until you’ve found a good show to stream?
Us, too.
But all that snacking and scrolling likely means you’re transferring oils, food residue, and general grime to your remote controls. Your game controllers? Headphones? Likely the same. (Or worse.)
To avoid damaging any electronics, never spray cleaning solutions directly onto the device, and keep those solutions away from charging ports and speakers. In fact, a barely-damp Q tip, moistened with rubbing alcohol or white vinegar, will remove stubborn residue in button crevices or on textured surfaces. Follow with a whole-device clean. Follow with a whole-device clean (we recommend a wipedown with our cleaning spray applied on a microfiber cloth). Allow to dry completely before use.
Clean your child’s car seat safely while removing odors and spills.
Your child’s car seat endures, well…a lot. From snack spills to motion sickness, cleaning can be a delicate balance.
Begin by thoroughly vacuuming all surfaces and crevices, then check the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines for your specific seat. As long as it’s approved, use mild soap and warm water for spot cleaning, and Azuna’s cleaning solution for child-safe odor neutralization. Allow to dry completely before reinstallation.
To maintain your car seat’s structural integrity, it’s important to never use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that may weaken the seat’s materials. For peace of mind about installation and safety, the national organization Safe Kids keeps an updated list of car safety check events searchable by area.
Want to make cleaning even easier? Check out our full range of products here, and the best of our tips (organized by room) here.
