Most of us clean the parts of the house we see every day and leave the hidden spots for later. The trouble is, those out-of-the-way areas can collect dust, food residue, grime, moisture, and other messes for weeks or months.
A quick wipe of the kitchen counter or bathroom sink can make a room look clean, but it doesn’t cover everything. Some of the dirtiest areas are the ones that rarely get attention.
Here are 15 often-overlooked spots around the house that deserve a good cleaning.
Behind the Kitchen Stove
Food crumbs, grease, and bits of spilled ingredients have a way of finding their way behind the stove. Once they sit there for a while, they can attract insects and create a greasy buildup that can also become a fire concern.
If your stove can be moved safely, pull it out and vacuum or sweep underneath and behind it. Follow up with a suitable kitchen cleaner to remove grease and stuck-on residue.
Around the Toilet
Cleaning the toilet bowl and seat is part of the usual bathroom routine, but the floor and wall around the toilet can be forgotten. Dust, dirt, splashes, and other residue can collect around the base and behind the fixture.
Wipe these areas regularly with a bathroom cleaner suitable for the surface. If using bleach, follow the product directions and never mix it with ammonia, vinegar, or other cleaners.
Underneath Furniture
Take a look under your bed, sofa, dressers, and other large pieces of furniture. You might find an impressive collection of dust, pet hair, crumbs, toys, socks, and things you thought were lost forever.
Move furniture when it can be done safely and vacuum or sweep underneath. For furniture that is too heavy to move, use a vacuum attachment or long-handled duster to reach the space.
Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal deals with food scraps every day, so it can develop residue and unpleasant smells. Bits of food can cling to the sides and create a buildup that regular rinsing may not remove.
To eliminate smells in the garbage disposal, clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Citrus peels can help freshen the disposal, while ice can help knock loose some residue.
Avoid putting items down the disposal that can damage the blades or clog the drain.
Related: 18 Things You Should Never Put Down the Garbage Disposal
The Coffee Maker
Coffee makers are easy to forget during a regular cleaning routine. If you use yours every morning, water, coffee residue, and mineral deposits can build up inside the machine.
Over time, that buildup can affect the taste of your coffee and may interfere with how the machine works.
Give your coffee maker a regular cleaning based on the manufacturer’s instructions. You can find a detailed guide here: how to clean a coffee maker.
Grout
The narrow lines between tiles can hold plenty of dirt. Bathroom grout can also become discolored when it stays damp for long periods, and mold may develop in areas with poor ventilation.
Cleaning grout every so often keeps the area looking cleaner and gives you a chance to deal with buildup before it becomes harder to remove.
Use a cleaner that is suitable for your particular tile and grout, and give the area enough time to dry after cleaning.
Showerhead
A showerhead can look perfectly clean from across the bathroom while mineral deposits are building up around the openings. In homes with hard water, that buildup can become especially noticeable.
For cleaning a showerhead, check the manufacturer’s instructions first. A soak in diluted white vinegar can help loosen mineral deposits on many showerheads. Rinse the fixture well afterward and scrub away any remaining buildup with a soft brush.
Kitchen Sponge
That little sponge beside the kitchen sink gets used over and over again. It comes into contact with food residue, grease, and moisture, which makes it easy for bacteria to accumulate.
Instead of keeping a sponge around indefinitely, replace it regularly. If the manufacturer says the sponge can be sanitized, follow those instructions. Letting it dry between uses can also help reduce moisture buildup.
Kitchen Sink
The kitchen sink sees everything from raw ingredients to dirty dishes, so it deserves more attention than a quick rinse.
Wash the sink regularly with dish detergent and warm water, paying attention to the drain, faucet base, handles, and corners. For deeper cleaning, use a product that is safe for your sink’s material.
Inside the Dishwasher
A dishwasher cleans your dishes, but that doesn’t mean the appliance itself stays spotless. Food particles, grease, mineral deposits, and residue can collect around the filter, door seals, and bottom of the machine.
A dirty dishwasher may develop an unpleasant smell or drain poorly. Cleaning your dishwasher on a regular schedule can help keep those areas from becoming coated with old food and grime.
Check the owner’s manual before using cleaning products or running a cleaning cycle.
Ceiling Lights and Fixtures
Look up once in a while and check your ceiling fans, light fixtures, and other high surfaces. Dust can collect on fan blades and around light fixtures for months without being noticed.
An adjustable duster can help reach these spots from the floor. For areas that need more than dusting, turn off the fixture and clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid standing on an unstable chair or stool just to reach a high fixture.
Baseboards
Baseboards collect more dirt than most people realize. Dust, pet hair, scuff marks, and fingerprints can build up along the edges of rooms, especially in hallways and busy areas.
A microfiber cloth and a suitable all-purpose cleaner are usually enough for routine cleaning. Run the cloth along the top edge and face of the baseboard, then wipe away any remaining moisture.
Windows
Windows can collect fingerprints, dust, pet nose prints, and other grime. The glass may look clean from a distance while the edges and frames tell a different story.
Use a window cleaner that is suitable for the type of glass and frame in your home. Wipe the glass with a clean microfiber cloth or other lint-free material, then clean the sill and frame.
Blinds
Blinds are another spot that can go months without a proper cleaning. Dust settles on the slats, especially in rooms where windows are frequently open.
A microfiber cloth lightly dampened with water can pick up surface dust. For deeper cleaning, use a method that matches the material of your blinds. Wood blinds, for example, may require different care than vinyl or metal blinds.
Washing Machine
Your washing machine spends its time cleaning clothes, but the appliance itself still needs care. Detergent residue, moisture, and grime can collect inside the drum, around the door seal, and in detergent dispensers.
If your washer develops a musty smell, check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and run the recommended cleaning cycle. Wipe the door seal and dispenser regularly, and leave the washer door or lid open between loads when the manufacturer allows it.
A few overlooked areas can make a big difference in how clean your home feels. You don’t have to scrub every hidden spot every day. Adding a few of these areas to your normal cleaning rotation can keep dirt and buildup from getting out of hand.
