9 Spots You’re Probably Forgetting to Clean Every Week, According to Pros
Make the home feel fresher by tackling a few of these spots.
Even the most diligent cleaners can miss a spot or two around the house. We tapped experts from the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab to fill us in on the overlooked cleaning spots most people miss.
Most of us don’t think twice about our usual cleaning routine. You probably have go-to rhythms that help you keep a tidy home. Some people like to clean room by room, finishing each space before moving on, while others prefer to tackle one task at a time throughout the house. And while sticking to a routine can be essential in keeping a clean home, it can also cause you to miss certain spots or tasks that you’re not actively thinking about as part of your cleaning rituals. Many of these cleaning tasks are easy to overlook, but that doesn’t mean it’s advisable to skip them. Things like washing your pillowcases and wiping down doorknobs can keep your family healthy and make your space feel fresh.
If you’re stressed about the idea of adding even more time to your cleaning routine, try tackling just one or two of these tasks each day. Luckily, most take only a few minutes to complete.
Ahead, learn more about the spots pros say most people forget to clean.
Sheets and pillowcases
Every night, your sheets collect germs, dead skin, sweat, body oils and dust mites, so it's a good idea to send your sheets and pillowcases for a spin in the washing machine every seven days or so. (Duvet covers and comforters, mattress protectors and even your mattress can go a little longer between cleanings.) If you let pets sleep in the bed or anyone in your home has dust or pollen allergies, sweats excessively or has an infectious illness, consider washing your sheets even more frequently.
Kitchen appliances
Wipe down high-touch appliances like the refrigerator, cooktop, microwave and coffee maker. Regularly go over the handles and knobs with a disinfecting wipe, and use a microfiber cloth and a stainless steel cleaner to remove fingerprints, water spots and grease splatters. Alternatively, you can mix 1 teaspoon of a grease-cutting dish detergent, and 1 quart of hot tap water. Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution and rub any marks in the direction of the metal’s grain. Rinse with clean hot water and dry with a clean cloth.
Rugs
For weekly cleaning, a pass over rugs and carpets with a vacuum is adequate. This will pick up any dirt and debris or pet hair tracked in the house. Save the carpet cleaner for stain removal, and aim to schedule professional cleanings once per year.
Hardwood floors
To keep your hardwood floors in tip-top shape, you should sweep every few days with a dry microfiber mop or electrostatic sweeper. You can save deeper wet cleans with a hardwood floor cleaner for every one to two months or as needed, depending on how much daily use your floors get.
Bathroom surfaces
Countertops, sinks, and other high-traffic areas of your bathroom should be cleaned weekly. Spray a disinfectant bathroom cleaner all around the bathroom sink and wipe with a cloth or sponge. Don't forget to spray or wipe faucet handles with a disinfectant spray or wipe, too. And always allow the surface being cleaned to remain wet for the required time on the package to kill germs.
Toilet
Generously apply a toilet cleaner to the bowl and let sit for up to five minutes before scrubbing a stiff-bristled toilet brush, then flush. Next, wipe down the toilet seat and handle with disinfectant wipes or spray, making sure to let the surface remain wet for the amount of time indicated on the product's packaging. And don't forget: Toilet brushes need cleaning, too. Spray the toilet brush with a disinfectant and let it dry out of the caddy before replacing it.
Light switches and doorknobs
Use a damp cloth to wipe off any dust and grime. (When cleaning switches, be careful not to let any liquid seep behind the switch.) Then, use a disinfecting wipe or cotton ball dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol and wipe down. Let air dry.
Towels
Bath towels can be used three times (or even more!) before you toss them in the laundry, but weekly is a good bet, since washing and drying towels too often will make them wear out faster. Launder them in the hottest water that's safe for the fabric, and add in ¼ to ½ cup fabric rinse.
Dust wood furniture
You should be dusting your furniture once per week, but can save a deeper dust — think light fixtures and blinds — for once per month. Every three to six months, it's a good idea to clean under and behind furniture, vacuum mattresses and wash pillows and comforters.
For basic dusting, you'll capture more dust with a soft microfiber cloth lightly dampened with water or a furniture dusting spray, a microfiber duster or an electrostatic duster.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
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