4 min readYou might think you have done everything you can to make your home look spotless, but you may have overlooked a few things. That said, there’s no need to feel bad. Unless you’re a professional cleaner (and even if you are), nobody is perfect, and it’s only human to accidentally miss a spot—or a few. It’s also possible that any resources you’ve sought to guide your current cleaning regimen (looking at you, CleanTok) may have misled you.
The good news is that many of these common cleaning mistakes can be easily fixed or reversed with a bit of extra effort. That’s why we chatted with professional cleaners to learn more about the cleaning mistakes they encounter most often when entering a home. They also provide insights about cleaning habits you can adopt to help fix these mistakes, making your home look even cleaner.
Read on for the seven most overlooked areas cleaning experts always spot the moment they enter a home—you’ll be glad you did.
Dirty Dishwasher
Michael Silva-Nash, president of Molly Maid, notes that just because your dishes may appear clean, doesn’t mean that your dishwasher is. Even though this gadget might not become visibly dirty overnight, food waste and mold can accumulate.
Having said that, he explains that cleaning your dishwasher can be relatively easy when committing to regular monthly maintenance, and advises running its filter under warm water and running an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar to freshen up the interior, which you’ll notice will reduce unpleasant smells.
Unclean Door Handles and Light Switches
Even though you might think that door handles and light switches are obvious places to clean, Sofia Martinez, cleaning expert and CEO at Sparkly Maid Austin, points out that many people forget to do so because of their small size and invisible bacteria. As a result, many people prioritize areas with visible dirt despite the fact that many germs and potentially harmful bacteria may be present.
She adds that you can clean these surfaces with a wipe, which should make this chore an easier task in your cleaning regimen. Now, all you need to do is remember to do it, which is where a cleaning to-do list or phone notification reminder note can come in handy.
A Dusty Toilet Base
While you might regularly clean the inside of any toilet in your home along with the seat, you may overlook the base and sides, which may not seem like a big deal, but can actually detract from the look of a bathroom.
“However, most people forget that the base of the toilet around the floor catches everything that runs from the rim of the toilet down,” says Mandy Biter, team member at A Little Moore Clean. “The sides of the toilet are almost always coated with dust and dried liquid that has settled around the screws that hold the toilet base in place.” You will find it worth the extra effort to ensure these areas are properly cleaned.
Hidden Dirt Underneath Objects
Even if objects in your home are clean to the eye when looking at them from an aerial view, that doesn't mean that you should skip cleaning underneath them, which is what Adam Ziegelman, owner of San Diego County Maid Brigade, unfortunately notices a lot when walking into many homes. “Most people judge cleanliness by the room’s overall appearance,” says Ziegelman. “Professional cleaners are trained to look behind, beneath, and around the places where dirt naturally collects.”
While we can’t blame you (as it’s understandable that people get busy), you’ll thank yourself for making the extra time to remove any dust, grease, hair, or crumbs that may collect under items. He adds that underneath the refrigerator, couches, beds, and vanities are common areas people ignore. Even though you may have to ask someone to help you move some of these heavier items a couple of times a month, it will be a game-changer when it comes to the overall cleanliness of your house. Since the prospect of moving around heavy furniture can be overwhelming, Ziegelman advises working on one item at a time.
Water Damage on Floors
People often do their best to clean the floors when they can, which is good, but can potentially lead to even more messes and damage when done incorrectly. Laura Christian, owner of All Star Cleaning Services, notes that streaks on hardwood floors are something she sees often, indicating that too much water was used, causing them to appear dirty.
Too Few Rags or Sponges
With there being many places to clean in a living space, you should ideally have more than one rag or sponge to avoid cross-contamination. That said, Martinez notes that she often sees people using only one or a couple of rags to clean many different rooms and spaces, such as the kitchen and bathroom, which can be unhygienic due to hidden bacteria.
“To correct this, I instruct all of my clients to color-code their rags by room,” says Martinez. You’ll want to clean your rags often, too.
Neglected Sinks
Many people think that because they use dish soap to wash dishes, the actual sink itself doesn’t require additional cleaning. Silva-Nash says you should regularly use dish soap to clean your sink along with baking soda and a sponge to ensure you're eliminating bacteria.
Furthermore, he notes that cleaning out the disposal area is also an important task that many people overlook. You’ll notice foul odors from your sink will reduce when you make cleaning your sink a regular habit.
