12 Hidden Corners in Your Home You Always Forget to Clean

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It’s no small feat keeping your home clean. No matter how well you mean to clean, some spots just get missed. A quick dusting and vacuuming can make things look fresh, but there are frequently little nooks and crannies that are collecting dust, crumbs and grime right under your nose.

We’ll take you on a tour of these elusive spots in your home that might have been flying under the radar, but deserve a little TLC. You will be surprised how much of a difference it makes to give these hidden areas a quick once over.

Doors and Cabinets Top Edges

Doors and cabinets are prime real estate for dust buildup on the tops of them. They’re out of sight, so it’s easy to forget about them, but they’re also in the airflow path, so dust, pollen, and even pet hair make their way up there. When you’re doing a deep clean, next time, grab a microfiber cloth or duster with a long handle and swipe these spots. It might even be your allergies thanking you!

Behind Large Appliances

Have you ever wondered where your missing crumbs and pet hair go? You’ll find out just by pulling out your fridge, oven, or washing machine! It’s not a fun job, but cleaning behind these large appliances can help prevent odors and help keep your appliances working well. It’s a little effort but it helps keep your home smelling fresh and might even help your appliances run smoother.

Under Couch Cushions

What lies beneath? Underneath those couch cushions, there is room for everything from loose change to popcorn kernels to dust bunnies. Lifting up each cushion occasionally and vacuuming out the nooks and crannies beneath is a good idea. It not only freshens up your couch, it also keeps your living room cleaner overall.

Ceiling Fan Blades

The thing about ceiling fan blades is how they can silently collect layers of dust. Every time you turn the fan on, that dust spreads through the room. When you’re cleaning, next time, grab a step stool or ladder and give each blade a good wipe down. Once a month, just a quick dusting will make your home air fresher and cleaner.

Underneath Beds

If you leave the area under your bed alone for too long, it will become a mini dust bowl. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Dust under your bed can cause allergies and make your room messy. You can use a vacuum or long handled duster to get underneath, or even a Swiffer for easier access.

Window Tracks and Sills

More than just a little bit of dust, window tracks and sills also tend to collect insect debris, pollen and grime. The fact is, even if you do clean your windows, you can easily overlook the tracks and there is a way to clean them. To give it a much fresher look, use a damp cloth or an old toothbrush to scrub away built up dirt.

Inside Light Fixtures

Black Pendant Light — Photo Credit: Brett Sayles/Pexels

Have you ever opened up your light fixtures? You might even be surprised by the dust, and sometimes even dead bugs that accumulate in them. And just as cleaning your light fixtures makes your room look brighter, it also keeps all that dust from floating down into your space.

Air Vents and Return Grilles

Return grilles and air vents are dust magnets. As the air flows through it forces particles out which land on the slats and get trapped. These vents will catch very little dust, but a quick dusting with a duster or damp cloth will significantly reduce dust circulation in the home, and is also good for the efficiency of your HVAC system.

Under and Behind Furniture

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You may vacuum around the furniture, but how often do you move it? Some serious dust bunnies live underneath and behind furniture pieces like couches and dressers. Every few months, slide that furniture out a bit so these sneaky spaces can stay clean.

The Top of the Refrigerator

The top surface of the refrigerator often gets ignored because it’s out of sight. Unfortunately, this area collects dust, grease, and cooking particles, particularly in kitchens without a range hood. A quick wipe with a damp cloth to this spot keeps the kitchen looking and smelling fresher.

Shower Curtains and Liners

Shower curtains and liners can sometimes take a backseat to the bathroom’s other cleaning activities, and soap scum and mold then get a toehold. Toss your washable shower curtains in the laundry, or scrub down plastic liners to keep the bathroom smelling fresh, once in a while.

Baseboards and Moldings

Baseboards and moldings are some of the last things anyone thinks to clean, but they accumulate a surprising amount of dust and dirt in these areas. While small, a quick swipe with a damp cloth or duster does a lot to enhance the overall look of a room and the floors get that extra polish.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.