When it comes to keeping your home clean, most of us stick to the usual checklist. You know the drill: vacuum the floors, wipe down countertops, and scrub the bathroom. But even the cleanest and tidiest among us can overlook certain areas that collect more grime and dust than we realize. Professional house cleaners, with their sharp eyes and experience, know exactly where to find these hidden trouble spots—and trust us, they're probably not where you’d expect.  

Read on to discover the top spots people forget to clean, along with top tips from expert cleaners about why giving them extra attention can make a big difference in your home’s cleanliness and overall health. So grab your vacuum and scrub brush and start tackling these sneaky neglected areas.

1. Your Mattress

When was the last time you cleaned your mattress? Most people think cleaning their sheets equates to cleaning their bed, but it's actually important to take it a step further. “Even if your bed looks fine on the surface, it’s hiding dust mites, sweat, and dead skin cells you probably haven’t noticed,” says Jade Piper, operations manager for professional cleaning company Better Cleans.

Start replacing this old habit with a sparkling new one by investing in a mattress vacuum cleaner with a UVC light feature that mimics the sun's UV rays, eliminating dust mites and killing bacteria. “Start by dealing with stains before vacuuming by blotting them with a mild detergent and water mixture,” Piper says. “Then, gently pass over the mattress surface with a vacuum cleaner to grab loose dirt and pet hair, especially on seams and edges.”

2. Inside The Closet

Cleaning out your closet is an important step to make sure your home stays tidy—and we're not just talking about sorting out your clothes. “Closets can easily become a breeding ground for various contaminants, from dust and mold to allergens and bacteria,” says Justin Carpenter, founder of Jacksonville Maids. “Over time, dirt and germs accumulate in this space, affecting your health and comfort.”

Clean out your closet by working from top to bottom. Remove all clothing from the shelves and rails so you can wipe them down with a microfiber cloth and disinfectant cleaner. Finish off by vacuuming all the dust and lint off the floor or bottom of the wardrobe and along the baseboards. Once the shelves are dry, start putting your things back neatly, keeping an eye out for anything you no longer want or need. Make this a monthly habit, and you’ll have a fresh, healthy, and Pinterest-worthy wardrobe.

3. Walls and Baseboards

Walls might not require the same regular cleaning as the floor, but they can still get pretty dirty over time, especially if you have pets and kids. The accumulation of dust, cobwebs, and grease can lower the air quality in your home, so Piper recommends cleaning your walls at least twice a year and your baseboards monthly.

“First, remove cobwebs or dust with a soft-bristled brush or vacuum. Then, mix some mild detergent and warm water in a bucket and use a sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe down the walls,” Piper says. “For stains, you might need to use a special cleaner.”

Some products might damage the paintwork, so test it on a small area first. Piper also recommends opting for a washable paint next time you paint your walls. “That way, you can easily wipe away any marks or stains without damaging the paint," she says.

4. Everywhere Above Head Height

Don’t forget to look up, especially when you’re cleaning. Some of the most overlooked spots to clean are those above head height: tops of doors and door frames, picture rails, hanging light fixtures, ceiling fans, the top of your fridges, and kitchen cabinets are all commonly-forgotten spaces.

Because these spots are hard to see and reach, they’re easily overlooked and require slightly more effort if they've been neglected. Unfortunately, they harbor just as much dust and allergens as everywhere else, so it’s worth getting the ladder out to dust, hoover, and wipe down these areas at least once a month.

5. Inside the Range Hood

How clean is your range hood? A build-up of grime and dirt on the hood will lessen its effectiveness and can lead to unwelcome odors or reduced air quality in the kitchen, since pollutants are escaping back into the air. Even if you're cleaning your range hood filter every few months or replacing your charcoal filter twice a year, there's one part of the hood you're probably missing.

“While people clean filter surfaces, the back edges often go untouched, says Evie Graham, professional cleaner and founder of Waste Direct. “Our recent testing of 50 homes revealed these edges trap 40% of airborne grease, and they have higher bacterial counts than their bathroom surfaces.”

To scrub your range hood properly, use Graham's tried-and-true recipe once every 6 weeks: Mix 2 tablespoons citric acid powder with 500ml warm water, then use the mixture to scrub the hood. “A key step is to let the solution sit for exactly 8 minutes,” she says. “We tested this across 50 commercial kitchens and discovered the timing is crucial.”

6. Handles, Knobs, and Switches

“Hands are major carriers of germs, and things like doorknobs, cabinet handles, and light switches are touched by everyone, all the time, gathering whatever comes into contact with them,” Piper says. These high-touch surfaces collect grime, bacteria, and viruses, making them one of the dirtiest areas in the house, so regular cleaning is essential to reduce the spread of germs and keep your home safe.

“Keep them clean with just a quick wipe-down using a surface cleaner or disinfectant wipe,” she says. “Do it every day or a few times a week, and you'll be good to go.”

7. Under-Sink Water Line Connections

Graham shares another niche spot you’ve probably never considered cleaning: your under-sink water line connections. “Our waste water analysis revealed that pipe connection points under sinks harbor significant bacteria,” she says. “Recent scientific testing showed these areas maintain higher humidity than surrounding spaces, even in perfectly-maintained homes. When we implemented regular cleaning of these spots in 20 test homes, the overall kitchen air quality improved by 30%.”

After hearing these results, we’ll never skip cleaning the under-sink water line connections again. To improve your home air quality, Graham recommends mixing ten parts white vinegar with 1 part tea tree oil and soaking a thin microfiber cloth. “Wrap connections with the soaked microfiber for 10 minutes before drying them thoroughly, and repeat this monthly," she says.

https://www.bhg.com/spots-youre-forgetting-to-clean-8773729