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It’s easy to overlook the hidden areas that accumulate dirt and germs over time. These often-forgotten spots can turn into breeding grounds for pests and bacteria. Here’s a rundown of the dirtiest places in your home.
Behind the Kitchen Stove
From food scraps to kitchen grease, there’s no telling what gets trapped behind the stove. But it needs to be cleaned. Not cleaning it could lead to unruly pests and potential fire hazards.
Around the Toilet
It’s easy to forget to clean around and behind the toilet. We often clean the toilet seat and inside the toilet but neglect to clean behind the toilet, where dirt, dust, and other bodily fluids can accumulate. Apply a bleach-based cleaning product and wipe the area with a paper towel.
Underneath Furniture
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.
18 Things You Should Never Put Down the Garbage Disposal
The Coffee Maker
Let’s face it: most of us don’t actually clean our coffee machines. And if you’re an avid coffee drinker, 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.
Grout
The grout between your tiles can accumulate dirt and, in some cases, mold. 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.
Showerhead
While the showerhead 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 showerhead, 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-bristle 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 showerhead functioning properly.
Kitchen Sponge
Kitchen sponges tend to collect a lot of bacteria and germs. To effectively sanitize the sponge, you can microwave it, soak it in water and bleach, or simply throw it away.
Kitchen Sink
The kitchen sink ranks among the home’s dirtiest areas, largely due to the food waste it collects.
Wash the sink daily with dish detergent and warm water. Weekly, disinfect with a cleaner or a mild bleach solution.
Inside the Dishwasher
While a dishwasher’s main function is to clean dishes, over time, food particles, dirt, and mineral deposits can accumulate inside the dishwasher. This can lead to unwelcome smells, crappy performance, and potential problems with drainage.
Regularly cleaning your dishwasher can help prevent performance issues and ensure it runs to its full potential.
Ceiling Lights and Fixtures
A ceiling fan is often overlooked because of its height and the difficulty of accessing it. Lots of dust will accumulate on and around the edges of the ceiling fan’s blades and light fixtures. Grab an adjustable duster to clean high-ceiling fans and light fixtures.
The duster will remove any dust accumulated on the fan blades. If the dust is stubborn and won’t come off easily, you may need to get on top of a stepping stool and use a damp cloth and mild detergent solution to remove it.
Baseboards
Baseboards can easily get scuffed, scratched, and stained from activities and movement within the home. A simple wipe-down with a microfiber cloth and an all-purpose cleaning solution is all you need to clean them.
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.
Blinds
Blinds can accumulate dust over time. To clean them, use a water-dampened microfiber cloth to wipe away the dust.
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.
