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It’s easy to miss certain areas around the house that quietly collect dust, grime, and bacteria over time. While they may not be immediately visible, these overlooked spots can become hotspots for germs, potentially impacting the cleanliness of your entire home.
From hidden corners to everyday items you rarely think to clean, giving these areas some attention can make a big difference in your home’s overall hygiene. Here’s a list of commonly missed areas that deserve a place on your cleaning checklist.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans often get overlooked simply because they’re out of easy reach. Dust tends to collect along the tops and edges of the blades, as well as around any attached light fixtures. To tackle this buildup, try using an adjustable duster designed for high ceilings—it makes cleaning those hard-to-reach spots much easier.
Inside the Dishwasher
Although a dishwasher’s job is to clean your dishes, it can start to collect food particles, grime, and mineral buildup over time. This buildup can cause unpleasant odors, reduced cleaning efficiency, and even drainage problems.
To keep your dishwasher working at its best, a regular cleaning routine is essential. It helps prevent issues and ensures your machine runs smoothly, keeping your dishes spotless every time.
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Blinds
Blinds can accumulate dust over time. To clean them, use a water-dampened microfiber cloth to wipe away the dust.
Behind the Kitchen Stove
Food crumbs, kitchen grease, and other debris can easily accumulate behind the stove, creating an often-overlooked mess. Left uncleaned, this hidden grime can attract pests and even pose a fire risk over time. Regularly tackling this area can help keep your kitchen both safe and sanitary.
Around the Toilet
Cleaning around and behind the toilet is often overlooked, even though we usually remember to clean the seat and bowl. However, the area behind the toilet can gather dust, dirt, and other residues. To tackle this spot, apply a bleach-based cleaner and wipe it down thoroughly with a paper towel to keep things fresh and hygienic.
Underneath The Bed and Couch
Underneath the bed and couch is prone to dirt buildup, pet hair, and dust. You may even find the occasional socks, shirt, and water bottle. Move the furniture (if possible) and sweep the area to remove dirt and dust.
Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals can leave behind an unpleasant odor in the kitchen. The best way to clean and eliminate smells in the garbage disposal is to use natural remedies such as lemon or orange peels and run them through the disposal.
You can also pour ice cubes, baking soda, or vinegar down the drain to help break down the built-up food residue and remove the smell.
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The Coffee Maker
Let’s face it: most of us don’t actually clean our coffee machines. And if you happen to be an avid coffee drinker and lover, this frequently used appliance can become a breeding ground for bacteria, germs, and mineral buildup.
The dirt and mineral buildup could alter the bold flavor of your coffee and the coffee maker’s brewing speed.
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Grout
The grout between your tiles can accumulate dirt and sometimes mold on its surfaces. Not only does this diminish the overall appearance of your tiles, but it also creates an environment for bacteria and allergens to thrive.
Cleaning grout might seem detailed and time-consuming, but if you make it a regular part of your cleaning routine, you can prevent mold from building up.
Shower Head
While the shower head may appear clean on the outside, it can accumulate dirt, minerals, and bacteria over time, which can greatly impact hygiene and the quality of our showering experience.
To clean the shower head, start by soaking the head in a mixture of white vinegar and warm water for an hour. Gently scrub off any remaining deposits with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Then, rinse the shower head thoroughly with hot water and dry it with a soft cloth. Doing this regularly will help prevent buildup and keep your shower head functioning correctly.
Kitchen Sink
The kitchen sink follows the sponge as one of the home’s dirtiest areas, largely due to the remnants of food preparation it encounters.
Wash the sink daily with dish detergent and warm water. Weekly, disinfect with a cleaner or a mild bleach solution.
Washing Machine
Occasionally, your washing machine may emit a foul odor due to odor-causing residue accumulation in the drum, making your clothes smell. To address this, run a monthly cleaning cycle with bleach or vinegar.
Toothbrush Holder
Often overlooked during bathroom cleaning, the toothbrush holder is among the germiest spots in the home. It harbors food particles on bristles and provides a moist environment for germs to thrive.
To clean, if the holder is dishwasher-safe, wash it weekly in the dishwasher or by hand with hot, soapy water.
The Baseboard
Baseboards are prone to collecting scuffs, scratches, and stains from everyday foot traffic and household activities. Fortunately, a quick wipe-down with a microfiber cloth and some all-purpose cleaner is usually enough to restore their fresh look.
Windows
Windows get opened and closed, leaving behind lots of fingerprints, smudges, dust, and dirt. To clean the window, use a window cleaner like Windex and spray the window. Then, use a rag or paper towel to wipe off the Windex. This should make your windows look brand-new again.
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