I’ve always felt like I’m a generally clean person. I keep my items neat and organized, and the only occasional eyesore in my home is an overfilled closet. But as I moved out of my New York City apartment, I started to question that perception.
There was just so much dust. Granted, I could blame this on the fact that the building I lived in is more than 100 years old, but something else I must reckon with is that I neglected to clean some hidden and hard-to-reach areas in my home — at least not as often as I should have.
However, it brought me solace to know I’m not alone. My mom, Angie Olive, has been in the professional cleaning business in Missouri for 25 years and said she sees this all the time when people are moving out of their homes.
“Most things are out of sight and out of mind,” said Olive, owner of Alliance Building Services in St. Louis. “If your outside surfaces are clean, you think everything is clean. It’s no fault of your own that the stuff that slides down the side of your stove goes unnoticed until you move out.
“If you maintain cleaning your house throughout the year, you should still consider hiring a professional cleaning company to come in at least twice a year for a deep clean,” she added.
On Reddit, a discussion about places we often forget to clean is full of great reminders about these forgotten spots.
Here are 13 places in your home that may be in need of a deep clean.
Shutters
Both my old and new apartment have built-in shutters that accumulate a lot of dust over the years. Although it seems the only solution is regular dusting, I have found a tool that makes it slightly easier: a blind cleaner duster brush.
Built-in shutters can often hide dust.
(Tip: I also use this tool to clean my window AC unit, and you can also use it on blinds, too.)
Door frames
The top of door frames is another area known for almost always being dusty. You can use a duster, microfiber cloth or vacuum to clean that area, then a with warm, soapy water for the rest of the frame.
Baseboards
Cleaning baseboards is typically on the list of least desirable chores. On Reddit, many users ask for tips on how to make this one easier on themselves — and their backs and knees. One user suggested knee pads, while another advocates for using a vacuum with a brush attachment.
Olive suggests that after deep cleaning your baseboards once, you can maintain them by using a damp mop on them when cleaning your floors. “As long as you’re not using harsh chemicals, it won’t damage your paint,” she said.
Under the couch and bed
For this chore, a robot vacuum may be the best — and easiest — option for regular upkeep. (CNET chose the Dreametech DreameBot D10 Plus as the best overall robot vacuum for 2024.)
Ceiling fans
It’s good to occasionally clean the entire ceiling fan, including the bulbs, but the blades typically need the most attention. If your blades are heavily covered in dust, use a vacuum cleaner with the wand attachment on them first to minimize the amount that falls onto the ground — or worse, in your face — before dusting them clean with a duster or microfiber cloth.
You can also clean the pull strings and bulbs with a microfiber cloth, but make sure the light switch is turned off and the bulbs have completely cooled before touching them.
If you’re deep cleaning your home, don’t forget to look up to find the areas you may have missed.
Grout
When I moved into my apartment a few years ago, I could never get the tiny bathroom to feel clean — until I scrubbed the grout and unveiled its true color. I used Zep Grout Cleaner and a grout brush and was amazed at the difference, as were many on TikTok who used the same product.
When I was halfway done with cleaning the grout, I was already extremely satisfied with the results.
I poured the solution on the grout and let it sit for two to three minutes before using the brush to scrub the grout, then wiped the area clean. I now deep clean the grout about every six months and regularly mop.
Remotes
Although most people touch their TV remotes every day, it’s often forgotten that we need to clean them too. “They might not look dirty, but they’re usually full of germs,” Olive said.
A quick way to clean your remote is to use a disinfectant wipe and then let it air dry.
Doorknobs
Doorknobs are another high-touch area that can be forgotten about. Use a disinfectant wipe or Lysol to clean them, especially during cold and flu season.
(Tip: Clean your light switches at the same time you clean your door knobs since they’re typically near each other.)
Tops of cabinets
When you cook on your stovetop, the smoke, steam and food particles travel up and often settle on top of your cabinets. This leaves a thick, sticky residue if you forget to clean the area.
“Regularly clean with a degreaser on top of the cabinets,” Olive said. “Once you get the build-up gone, you can maintain it.”
Another way to protect the top of your cabinets from the buildup is to line them with parchment or wax paper.
Stove knobs
Stove knobs can get the same greasy residue buildup so it’s important to deep clean them as well. Take the knobs off and soak them in warm, soapy water and scrub them if needed, then rinse, dry and replace.
Side of the stove
As your stove knobs are soaking, you can deep clean the side of your stove too. Pull out the appliance and use a cleaner of your choice to get rid of any food buildup that may have accumulated.
“As you’re cooking, you don’t realize what you’re spilling between the appliance and the countertop,” Olive said. “Once you pull out your appliances, you’ll find a lot of places that you need to clean.”
If you’d prefer to prevent spillage rather than clean it, you may want to invest in a stove gap cover.
Oven
After you tackle the outside of your stove, it’s time to clean the inside of the oven. You can try this chemical-free cleaning method to get your oven to look brand-new.
Plan to clean your oven about four times a year.
Walls
You don’t have to clean your walls every day, but they’re not immune to getting dirty, especially the ones in your kitchen and bathroom, and for me, the one behind my dog’s food and water bowls. You can start by dusting your walls, then using a Magic Eraser on them to get any marks, scuffs or splatters off.
Expert advice: Create a routine that works for you
While it may seem overwhelming to keep every part of your home clean and free from dust, grease and buildup, remember not to overwork yourself.
“Work out your own routine and do a little each time,” Olive said. “Don’t try to tackle everything at once.”
