Top Dirty Areas within Your House, as Revealed by Cleaning Professionals
Top Dirty Areas within Your House, as Revealed by Cleaning Professionals
As you saunter around your dwelling, you might inadvertently spot a speck of dirt in a corner or find a sticky residue on your fridge door while grabbing your midday shake. These incidental observations might prod you to gather your cleaning supplies–and leave you pondering about other unsanitary issues you've been disregarding.
Our usual focus in cleaning tends to gravitate towards the major areas such as rugs, floors, bedding, and bathrooms. Indeed, these arenas require a rigorous clean-up, but the most grime-infested spots in your house might surprise you.
Bag up your cleaning supplies and gear up to tackle those hidden areas that you might have been neglecting as our cleaning gurus share their wisdom on detecting and disposing of grime in the unseen corners of your house.
- Galia Ivanova, founder and CEO of Cleaning Estimate
- Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly Company
- Sarah McCallister, cleaning expert and CEO and founder of GoCleanCo
01of 09## Kitchen Countertops
Given their frequent use, it's not so surprising that this space requires frequent attention. “You’re preparing your food here,” highlights Sarah McCallister, founder and CEO of GoCleanCo, “so you need to maintain them well.” She suggests wiping them down with warm, soapy water following each meal, and if they're bleach-compatible, she likes to use bleach to disinfect.
If your countertops have lost their shine, McCallister advises giving them a quick polish using a polish cloth. And since tiny crumbs and germs can easily go unnoticed, make sure to clean underneath appliances as well, cautions Marla Mock, President of Molly Maid.
02of 09## Light Switches
High-touch areas like light switches receive the most fingerprints and collect the most germs–so they require some additional care. “Because they’re high up and unassuming, they often get ignored during cleaning routines,” says Galia Ivanova, founder and CEO of Cleaning Estimate. She suggests wiping switches with a disinfectant cloth or spray weekly, ensuring not to overly wet the surface.
McCallister stresses the significance of not missing the bathroom light switches, which can harbor an abundance of germs. She advocates for a concoction of 1 gallon of hot water, 1⁄3 cup bleach, and 1 teaspoon of powdered Tide to wipe down the switches and the surrounding wall.
03of 09## Refrigerators
“Food spills, leaks, and expired items can make your fridge a bacteria breeding ground,” warns Mock. She recommends cleaning the interior of your refrigerator by removing the drawers and wiping with a cloth dipped in mild dish detergent or a baking soda solution.
Ivanova insists that we pay close attention to the refrigerator door handle, which can readily be one of the most germ-laden spots in the house. Wipe down the handle with disinfectant daily (especially prior to and after cooking), focusing on the edges where dirt is prone to build up. Always keep an open box of baking soda inside to absorb odors.
04of 09## Remote Controls
Commonly passed around among family members and guests, dropped on the floor, or found near food, remote controls pose more of a concern than many may realize. Ivanova warns that they can harbor bacteria and viruses, especially during flu season.
Wipe your remote with disinfectant wipes two or three times weekly, or daily when someone is ill, making sure to cover the spaces between buttons. Mock recommends using the same practice to clean other high-touch surfaces, such as keyboards, door knobs, and stair railings.
05of 09## Toilets
It's no shock at all that the toilet graces this list of the dirtiest spots in your house. “There are plenty of products out there that do an excellent job of cleaning your toilet, but there are some tricky areas that you need to be aware of,” cautions McCallister.
For example, it's common to overlook the underside of the latches that hold the seat or the skirting of the toilet. Also, don't forget to disinfect toilet handles frequently, as they collect bacteria from unwashed hands. Wipe them down daily with disinfectant spray and dry with a microfiber towel to prevent water spots and mineral buildup, says Mock.
06of 09## The Washing Machine
Who knew that the appliance used to wash your clothes could be a germ and bacteria hotspot itself? The rubber seal in front-loading washing machines is usually the culprit as it retains moisture, leading to mold growth, explains Ivanova.
To avoid this, Ivanova recommends wiping the seal with a solution of vinegar and water after each use and leaving the door open to dry.
The detergent drawer is also an often-overlooked place that needs regular clean-up. Pull it out, disassemble it, and scrub it with bleach. After putting it back in the washer, pour bleach to the full line and run through a long, hot cycle.
07of 09## Ceiling Fans and HVAC Vents
Areas that are above eye level can easily slip our minds when cleaning. “Due to their elevated positions and lack of frequent cleaning, dust and dirt quickly accumulate on ceiling fans, light fixtures, and HVAC vents,” says Mock. Dust and dirt can then be dispersed into the air when these fixtures are in use, highlights Ivanova.
Regular maintenance enhances air purity in your living space and decreases airborne irritants. Utilize a pillowcase to delicately capture and eliminate dust from each slat or grille, subsequent to wiping it down with a damp microfiber cloth. When reaching the ceiling proves challenging, consider purchasing a long-handled duster or vacuum fitted with a bristle attachment.
(08/09)## Bathroom Sink Drain Overflow Hole
Have you ever been repelled by an unpleasant scent while bending over the sink to wash your hands? Prior to summoning a plumber, endeavor to clean this often neglected area: Your sink's overflow hole retains water, soap scum, and bacteria, which are commonly ignored during cleaning, as per Ivanova.
Eliminate the odor by pouring a blend of baking soda and vinegar into the small hole, allowing it to sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it with hot water. Employ a pipe cleaner for particularly stubborn deposits.
(09/09)## The Dishwasher
Surprisingly, your dishwasher possesses the ability to amass dirt and grime. This is partly due to the filter, which tends to become clogged with debris. Furthermore, the seal that encircles the door is another area prone to food and filth buildup.
“Remove the filter, typically positioned beneath your dishwasher, and rinse it in the sink. Then, wash the filter gently using bleach, being mindful of the delicate screen,” recommends McCallister, suggesting this as a monthly ritual.
To clean the interior, McCallister advocates utilizing a soft scrubber and bleach to scrub the affected areas, including the seal. She follows this by running a lengthy, hot cycle with a third of a cup of bleach to sanitize the interior. The exterior can be wiped with a warm, soapy cloth and later polished with a stainless steel or glass cleaner, depending on the material, following drying.
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- In her guide to cleaning hidden areas in the house, cleaning expert Sarah McCallister emphasizes the importance of cleaning kitchen countertops frequently, using bleach for disinfection and polishing with a cloth to restore shine.
- According to Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, light switches are often overlooked during cleaning routines due to their high location and require weekly disinfection with a cloth or spray to prevent the buildup of germs.