16 Places You Forgot to Clean: A Friendly Reminder

We all like to think we’ve got cleaning down to a science, right? Floors mopped, counters wiped, laundry folded, you’re basically Martha Stewart (without the prison time 👀).

But let’s face it: some spots in your home are like the forgotten middle child. They get neglected, and no one realizes until it’s way too late.

So, before you start lighting your “clean house” candle for ambiance, let’s talk about the 16 sneaky places you probably forgot to clean.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone here. I’ll hold your hand (figuratively, of course, because germs). Let’s dive in!

1. Underneath Your Appliances

Yeah… I said it. When was the last time you volunteered as tribute to pull out the fridge, oven, or washing machine?

If you don’t remember, then trust me, it’s a horror show back there.

Why it matters:

Dust, crumbs, and mystery gunk accumulate behind heavy appliances, creating a breeding ground for bugs.

Plus, it’s embarrassing when you finally move out and realize your landlord’s seen that graveyard of potato chip crumbs and lost socks.

How to tackle it:

• Pull those appliances out (carefully—you don’t want to scratch the floor).
• Use a vacuum cleaner for the initial sweep-up and follow it with a soapy mop session to de-gunk the area.
• Pro tip: Place felt sliders under appliances to make this chore easier next time. Yes, there WILL be a next time.

2. The Dishwasher Filter

Wait… dishwasher filter? Yep. That’s the part of your dishwasher quietly catching food bits while you blissfully ignore its existence.

Why it matters:

A clogged filter doesn’t just smell awful; it stops your dishwasher from doing its one job—getting dishes clean.

How to handle it:

• Find the filter (usually at the bottom of the dishwasher).
• Twist it out, then rinse it under warm water to remove all the grime.
• If it’s extra gross, scrub it with a toothbrush and some dish soap.

Trust me, the filter isn’t cleaning itself.

3. The Top of Your Ceiling Fan

Seriously, look up. Right now. Is your ceiling fan rocking a fur coat? Gross.

Why it matters:

If those blades are covered in dust, guess where it’s flying every time you turn the fan on? Right down onto your bed, couch, or straight into your lungs. Yum.

The quick fix:

• Slip an old pillowcase over each blade to wipe dust off without it falling on your furniture. Genius, right?
• Follow up with a microfiber cloth or damp rag for a deeper clean.

4. Your Light Switches

If germs were an Olympic sport, your light switches would take home the gold.

Think about how often you touch those little plastic islands of germs. Now think about how often you clean them. I’ll wait.

Why it matters:

Fingers are dirty. Everything your hands touch gets transferred to those switches. Enough said.

How to clean them:

• Use a disinfecting wipe to wipe down each light switch (and the surrounding wall, because fingerprints go everywhere).
• Repeat regularly—like at least once a month.

5. The Inside of Your Washing Machine

So it cleans your clothes, but have you stopped to ask… who cleans the cleaner?

Here’s why it’s important:

Over time, residue from soap, fabric softener, and dirt builds up inside the drum. Not only does this smell funky, but it can also lead to mold.

Cleaning tips:

• Run an empty cycle with hot water and 2 cups of vinegar. This melts away grime and kills bacteria.
• Don’t forget the rubber gasket—mold loves to hide there.

Suggested Article – Genius Cleaning Hacks for Lazy Girls

6. Behind the Toilet

I know, I know—this spot doesn’t spark joy. But trust me, you need to face it.

Why it’s nasty:

This is the forgotten sibling of bathroom cleaning. Dust, hair, and—you guessed it—unidentifiable grossness collect there unapologetically.

To reclaim your dignity:

• Arm yourself with gloves, a scrub brush, and a disinfectant spray.
• Take 5 minutes to clean behind there like it’s a matter of personal pride.

7. The Baseboards

Baseboards are like the introverts of your home—they quietly exist and hope you don’t notice them. (But you should!)

Why it matters:

Dust bunnies collect in corners and along these small surfaces. Plus, dirty baseboards make even clean rooms look grungy.

How to clean them (without crying):

• Brush off debris with a vacuum attachment or dry duster.
• For the grime build-up, use a damp cloth with warm soapy water.

8. Under Your Couch Cushions

You know what’s hiding under there, right? Enough crumbs to make a toddler-sized sandwich. You might even find loose change or your long-lost TV remote.

Why it needs love:

It’s gross, and no one wants ants camping out in their living room.

How to tackle it:

• Remove the cushions and vacuum underneath them thoroughly.
• Spot-clean any spills on the fabric while you’re at it.

9. The Keyboard and Mouse

Honestly, your keyboard might be one of the germiest items in your house. (Yeah, even worse than your toilet seat.) Let that sink in for a sec.

The gross truth:

The average desk has 400 times more germs than a toilet seat. And you’re touching it every day.

Clean it stat:

• Unplug your keyboard and mouse.
• Use a can of compressed air to blow out crumbs.
• Wipe everything down with a disinfecting wipe. If germs could cry, they would.

10. The Tops of Door Frames

When was the last time you climbed up and checked your door frames for dust? Exactly.

Why it’s worth the effort:

Dust gathers up there unnoticed, and once it’s disturbed (thanks, random breeze), it’ll snow down on everything below.

Quick fix:

• Grab a microfiber duster or damp rag, and run it across the tops of all your door frames.
• Do this once every couple of months (or whenever you’re feeling fancy).

11. Shower Curtains and Liners

If you’ve got visible mold creeping on your shower liner, you might want to rethink some life choices.

Why it matters:

Lingering moisture makes your shower curtain/liner mold and mildew central.

The fix:

• Toss plastic liners in the washer with some vinegar and towels (they’ll act as scrubbers).
• Replace gross liners entirely if they’ve seen better days.

12. The Remote Control

It’s basically a germ baton that everyone in your household passes around without ever sanitizing. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?

Why it’s a problem:

Think crumbs, greasy fingers, and endless germs. Thoroughly gross.

What to do:

• Use a disinfectant wipe and carefully clean the buttons, sides, and back.
• Don’t forget the battery compartment (crumbs like to hide there).

13. Inside the Microwave

Microwave explosions happen—don’t act like you’ve never been there. But are you cleaning it afterward, or just looking away in shame?

Why it needs attention:

Those dried-up splatters of food aren’t just unsightly; they can also cause odors and even smoke when reheating.

How to banish the grime:

• Microwave a bowl of water with lemon slices to loosen food deposits.
• Wipe everything down with a damp cloth. You’ll thank yourself later.

14. Air Vents

Out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, air vents collect dust and then redistribute it throughout your house with every HVAC cycle.

Why it’s a big deal:

Dirty vents mean poor air quality, allergies, and an increase in dust settling everywhere.

How to clean them:

• Remove vent covers and vacuum inside the ducts.
• Wipe down the covers with warm, soapy water before putting them back.

15. Your Toothbrush Holder

This unassuming little container traps more toothpaste dribbles and bacteria than you probably realize.

The issue:

It’s exposed to water, bacteria, and whatever’s lingering on your toothbrush. That’s… not great.

Clean it up:

• Empty the holder, scrub it with soapy water, and rinse.
• Wash it weekly, especially if it sits in a humid bathroom (mold loves humidity).

16. Your Phone Screen

Do I even need to explain this one? Your phone goes everywhere—the bathroom (don’t deny it), the kitchen, your bed. Let’s just agree it needs serious help.

Why it’s filthy:

The oils on your fingers and face transfer bacteria to the screen constantly. And no, your shirt isn’t cutting it as a cleaner.

The rescue plan:

• Use a microfiber cloth and a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution to gently wipe down your phone. (Spray the cloth, not the phone!)
• Repeat daily because your phone is a germ magnet.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it—16 spots you’ve probably forgotten to clean. Don’t feel bad; most of us are guilty of ignoring at least a few of these.

The good news? Now you’ve got a solid checklist (and maybe a little extra motivation).

Just tackle these one at a time, because, frankly, no one expects you to clean all of them in one day.

And hey, the next time someone brags about their spotless house, just ask them if they’ve scrubbed their dishwasher filter lately. 😉