Even the best housekeepers miss things that need to be cleaned. It’s easy to do with so much going on in our lives!
Hidden dust and dirt – even when we don’t notice it – adds to the daily buildup in our homes. Over time, it accumulates, clouding the surfaces it lives on, and dulling our clean-house sparkle. It also requires more effort to keep things spick and span.
To restore the sparkle in your home, we’re sharing 12 of the most overlooked household “grime traps.”
Add these to your regular cleaning routine for a truly spotless home. Or, if you’re feeling ambitious, have a crew to help, and an average-sized house, you can tackle these in a few hours. If you’re going it solo or have a really big house, divide it up over 2-3 days.
On to the slideshow!
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1. Tops of Picture Frames
Dust loves to land on these surfaces! Because the tops of frames are usually out of sight, they can go unnoticed for months, accumulating lots of yuck.
Thick layers of dust should be vacuumed to avoid dust flying all over the place and making more of a mess. Once the bulk of it has been removed, wipe the remainder with a damp cloth or a cloth sprayed with furniture polish.
2. Mirror Glass
While bathroom mirrors tend to get regular cleaning, other decorative mirrors often go untouched. Consider mirrors you may have in your hallways, living or dining rooms, or bedrooms.
To keep them gleaming, wipe down with a simple DIY solution, or your favorite glass cleaner. The cleaner they are, the more light they reflect, making your house glow!
3. Light Fixtures & Ceiling Fans
This is a chore many folks avoid, because it can be a big pain in the neck. But what a big difference when it’s done! Dirty light fixtures and ceiling fans drop dust bombs all over and look really bad when you turn them on.
If the buildup is light, use a telescoping duster and work your way around the fixture or fan to remove dust. If it’s been a while, grab your ladder and prepare to invest some time.
Remove shades and wash them gently in the sink or a large bucket (depending on size). Fans and other non-removable fixtures need to be cleaned in place. Spread an old sheet or other covering on the floor to catch falling debris. Wipe first with a dry microfiber cloth to remove thick layers of dust. Then follow up with another cloth moistened with a mild cleaning solution. Wipe dry, replace shades and you’re done.
4. Lamp Shades
Like other items in your house, lamp shades collect dust, which becomes very apparent when you turn them on.
If you have fabric lamp shades, use a soft bristle vacuum attachment on a low setting. Gently vacuum up dust that has collected on the surface. Wipe non-fabric shades – such as paper, metal, or wood – with a dry microfiber cloth.
5. Range Hoods
These are prime spots for sticky grease to settle and collect dust. Let it go too long and you’re stuck with a gooey mess that’s difficult to clean.
To ensure an optimal result, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you weren’t provided with special cleaning instructions, start with warm soapy water (using a mild detergent like Dawn) and a clean microfiber cloth. If your range hood is stainless steel or wood, wipe in the direction of the grain. Adding a little white vinegar to your suds will help break down stubborn grease, but test it on an inconspicuous area first. Finish things up by drying with a clean microfiber or soft cotton cloth.
Additionally, a stainless steel polish, like Weiman’s, will help restore shine on range hoods made of that material.
6. Top of the Refrigerator
Talk about your hard-to-reach places! The top of the refrigerator has been a dusty spot in homes for decades. Grab a ladder and a bucket of warm, soapy water. If things are on the greasy side, add some white vinegar to the soapy water to cut through the gunk. Wipe, dry, and done.
Even if your fridge is of the built-in variety, it still needs to be cleaned up top. Many have louvered vents that protect the condensing unit. Both the vents and condensers can get clogged with dust, hampering performance. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safely cleaning these models.
7. Inside Drawers & Cabinets
It’s so easy to shut a drawer or close a cabinet door and forget about what’s going on inside. Crumbs and spills find their way into kitchen drawers and cabinets. In the bathroom hair, dust, soap, and toothpaste globs can make things pretty messy.
Empty the contents, vacuum these out, then wipe them down using a damp cloth and warm soapy water. Be sure they’re dry before replacing the contents.
8. Underneath Furniture
I’ve yet to meet a person who hasn’t cringed at the thought of what may be under (or behind) their bed, dresser, or other piece of furniture. Dog hair dust bunnies are popular in our house.
Moving the furniture to clean underneath is the best option, but that’s not always feasible, especially with big, heavy pieces. Vacuum under those to suck up as much as possible. If the floor underneath is a hard surface (wood, tile, etc.), follow up vacuuming with a Swiffer and then mop or hand wash the area, if possible.
9. Windowsills
This one gets missed by a lots of people. It’s a clear case of something you see so often, you stop seeing it, until you run your fingers across it.
Windowsills collect a lot of junk, like dust, dirt, and dead bugs. Wipe these down weekly to remove debris and keep them fresh and clean.
10. Light Switches & Covers
We touch light switches an infinite number of times every day – it’s no wonder they get dirty! Kids are notorious for flipping lights on and off with unwashed hands and we grownups are just as guilty.
Use our popular mix of warm water and Dawn to wipe these high-touch areas clean. For those that need something stronger, anti-bacterial wipes will also do the trick.
11. Doors
Yep, doors need cleaning, too. Dust settles into the moldings on paneled varieties, and dirt transfers easily onto surfaces from daily use.
Pay extra attention to the area around the door knob, as that receives lots of touches. Have pets? Check the area of the door that’s about the same height as their heads and you’ll probably find some dirty spots.
Warm, soapy water is typically all that’s needed, though a little white vinegar can help cut through any sticky stuff.
12. Baseboards & Crown Molding
Trim work throughout the house is easily neglected when we’re focused on more prominent features like floors, countertops, and furniture. But our baseboards, crown molding, door and window trim get dirtier than we think. They collect dust and cobwebs that get into the air and onto other, more noticeable surfaces.
All can be handled with a telescoping duster, though we recommend vacuuming baseboards with a soft brush attachment. Once dusted, give trim work a wipe with warm, soapy water to remove any remaining dirt. Dry with a clean microfiber or soft cotton cloth.
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