Are you getting every spot? Get spring cleaning tips beyond vacuuming

For most of us, spring cleaning means dusting, organizing, and vacuuming. But, there are spots in your home you might not be thinking need a little sprucing up.

This week the NBC10 Mornings Team is putting the focus on the dirty details of spring cleaning.

When was the last time you cleaned your dishwasher, air filter, sink?

First up, Keith Jones gives you a look at the potentially grimy spots in your home by going into a house with a West Philadelphia handywoman.

“You’re gonna wanna clean this up,” Mads Glascow, of Handy Dandy Home Services, said.

Glascow gladly helps people clean up things like their dishwasher, air filters and drains – like she recently did while her and Keith visited a 9-month pregnant woman.

“There's a lot of things that I do that people hire me for that I know they can do and sometimes I'm like, ‘you know you can do this, right?’“

Among the things Glascow helps with are…

Changing the HVAC filter every three months.

“It's caked,” she said. “It's kind of sticky too on my fingers. So, you can just really tell that you need a new one when it looks like this.”

Also, your dishwasher might not be as clean as you think. A lot of people think it cleans itself, right? Because it's constantly running.

"It doesn't," Glascow said.

So, how do you clean it? Make sure its empty. Pull out the bottom rack. Grab a bowl.

“You're going to pour two cups of white vinegar in,” Glascow said.

You should then rest the bowl upright on the bottom rack and simply run the dishwasher. But, don’t use heat to dry it. 

While in the kitchen, check your microwave and oven.

You can use a steamer and degreaser in the microwave. For the oven, soak the racks in vinegar and use the degreaser on the interior.

In the laundry room, be sure to clean the dryer lint trap daily. You should also clean your vent line, a cheap bristle brush can do the trick to check for any build up.

For the washer use vinegar to scrub the seal, "where the really bad junk can just sit and build," Glascow said.

Just avoid using bleach on any of your appliances.

In the bathroom, you can use a plastic fork to unclog hair and gunk from drains.

You can also wash your pillows -- two at time. Just check the label to make sure its OK to wash on the gentle cycle with cold water.

Finally, make sure you check the batteries on your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.

What nastiness might be hiding in your pantry?

Matt DeLucia went through the pantry and spice rack with Jessica DeLuise, The Wellness Kitchenista.

When it comes to spices, they don't typically go bad, but they do lose flavor overtime. Extracts, however tend to hold flavor longer.

If you see weevils or mites in your flours, mold in your pasta or grains or see a bulging can, toss them in the trash, DeLuise said.

One more tip, you should be cleaning your sponge. You can run it through the dishwasher or microwave on high each night to keep it fresh.

Looking to clear your mind? Declutter your house

Brenna Weick and Spruce Organizing's Jennifer Martin took about 20 minutes to declutter a kitchen pantry to help a mother who tried to stay organized but is bothered by clutter in her home.

"We make your life easier," Martin said.

Martin's team helps woman who might be feeling shame over the condition of their home.

Categorized clear bins can do the trick.

Looking for ways to be better organized, getting your life in order?

 NEAT Method Philadelphia co-owner Emily Berman walked through her home with NBC10's Erin Coleman to show some ways stressed moms can make things easier on themselves.

"Just how important it is as a mom to make sure that your life is clean and organized and fresh," Berman said.

She shared three tips:

1. Wake up an hour before your kids.
2. Create zones in your home -- especially kids snack and mom areas.
3. Have a color-coordinated family calendar.

"Everything has a home and things can go back after they're used," Berman said.