When Was the Last Time You Cleaned This?

We are faithful about some things. The counters get wiped, the dishes get washed, the floors get mopped every single week. But there’s a whole crew of quiet helpers in our homes doing hard work day in and day out — and somehow they never make it onto the cleaning list. The very things we use to clean and cook end up being the ones we forget to clean themselves.

Think about it: the iron that presses your Sunday best, the broom that sweeps up after everybody, the coffee maker that gets you right every morning. They’re working overtime, and a little care keeps them working better and longer. So here are the forget-me-nots — the ones worth circling back to when you get a free minute.