10 Areas Most Commonly Missed During DIY Cleaning

When it comes to DIY cleaning, I know it can feel pretty satisfying to get your home looking spick and span. But even after all that scrubbing, dusting, and mopping, there are often spots we completely overlook. I’ve been cleaning houses professionally for years, and trust me, there are certain areas that even the most thorough DIY cleaner tends to miss. Don't worry—you're not alone!

So, to help you really nail your cleaning routine, let's look into some of these commonly missed areas and how you can ensure they’re not forgotten next time.

1. Behind and Under Furniture

You’d be surprised at what’s lurking behind your couch or underneath your bed. Dust bunnies love these hidden spots, and sometimes you might even find that missing sock or cat toy (if you have pets, you know what I mean!).

Why It’s Missed:  

Most of us don’t think to move heavy furniture every time we clean. And let’s be honest—it’s a hassle! But the longer we avoid it, the more dust and grime build up.

A Quick Fix:

Every couple of weeks or at least once a month, make it a point to pull out your couch, bed, or bookshelf, and give those areas a good vacuum or sweep. A Pro tip is that you can use furniture sliders to make this task easier on your back!

2. Baseboards

Baseboards are one of those things you don’t notice… until you really do. After a few months of being neglected, they can collect dust and scuffs, especially in high-traffic areas.

Why It’s Missed:  

They’re low down, so they often escape our direct line of sight. Plus, when we’re cleaning floors, we tend to focus on the floors themselves, not the trim.

A Quick Fix:  

Take a damp cloth or use a vacuum brush attachment to go along your baseboards. It doesn’t take long, but it makes a huge difference in making a room look polished. Once a month should keep them looking fresh.

3. Light Switches and Door Handles  

We touch them constantly, but we rarely think to clean them! Light switches and door handles can collect grime and even germs.

Why It’s Missed:  

They’re small and don’t seem as obvious when you’re in the middle of cleaning frenzy, but they’re high-touch surfaces that can get pretty grimy.

A Quick Fix:

Add wiping down light switches and door handles to your cleaning checklist. Use a disinfectant or a gentle all-purpose cleaner. A quick swipe with a microfiber cloth works wonders.

4. Tops of Cabinets and Fridges  

Out of sight, out of mind! These are places that accumulate thick layers of dust, but we rarely think about them because, well, they’re high up.

Why It’s Missed:  

Unless you’re tall (which I’m not), you don’t really see the tops of things like your fridge or cabinets. But they do collect dust and even grease if they’re near the stove.

A Quick Fix:

Grab a step stool or ladder and dust the tops of your cabinets and fridge every few months. You can also lay down a sheet of wax paper on top of cabinets to catch the dust, making the next cleaning session even easier.

5. Under Appliances 

The areas under your stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher tend to collect all kinds of debris. You’d be surprised how much food, dust, and sometimes mystery gunk can end up there.

Why It’s Missed:  

These appliances are heavy, and moving them seems like a chore. So, we usually just leave these areas alone… for way too long.

A Quick Fix:  

Plan a deep clean every 3 to 6 months where you pull out your kitchen appliances and clean underneath. If you can’t move the appliance easily, use a long vacuum attachment or a thin mop to reach those spots.

6. Shower Curtain and Liner 

You might clean your tub and walls regularly, but the shower curtain and liner can also collect soap scum and mildew. I’ve come across some gnarly ones in my time!

Why It’s Missed:  

They just seem like they’re always clean since they’re in contact with water so much. But water, plus soap, plus time, equals mildew.

A Quick Fix:  

Once a month, throw the shower curtain and liner in the washing machine with a little bleach (for the liner) and detergent. If you’re not into bleach, white vinegar does the trick too!

7. Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures

Ceiling fans and light fixtures can collect a lot of dust, especially if you don’t use them regularly. I’ll never forget one home where I cleaned a fan that hadn’t been dusted in years—it looked like it was wearing a sweater made of dust!

Why It’s Missed:  

Since these fixtures are up high, we often forget to check them. Plus, they’re not always easy to reach.

A Quick Fix:  

Use an extendable duster to clean ceiling fans and light fixtures every couple of months. If you can’t reach them easily, invest in a duster with a long handle specifically designed for this.

8. Air Vents and HVAC Filters 

Air vents are a magnet for dust, and if you have pets, they can get clogged with pet hair too. Dirty HVAC filters can reduce your system’s efficiency and circulate dusty air.

Why It’s Missed:  

Air vents are often tucked out of sight or high up, and filters are easy to forget about unless there’s a problem with your heating or cooling.

A Quick Fix:  

Wipe down your air vents with a damp cloth every couple of months, and make a point to change your HVAC filters every 1 to 3 months depending on your usage. This will improve air quality in your home too!

9. Inside Trash Cans

The trash bag may keep most of the gunk contained, but over time, liquid leaks and spills can make the inside of your trash can pretty grimy.

Why It’s Missed:  

We tend to focus on what goes in the trash can, not the can itself. But after a while, it can start to smell, and you may not even realize it!

A Quick Fix:  

Rinse out your trash cans with hot soapy water every couple of weeks. You can also give them a spray with disinfectant to keep odors and bacteria at bay. Trust me, you’ll notice the difference!

10. Behind Toilets

Cleaning the toilet itself? No problem. Cleaning behind it? That’s a different story. That small gap behind the toilet can collect dust, hair, and general grime, and it’s not the easiest spot to reach.

Why It’s Missed:  

Because it’s a tight space, and it’s out of sight unless you make an effort to check.

A Quick Fix:

Use a long-handled mop or a cloth wrapped around a stick to clean behind the toilet every time you do your bathroom deep clean. This is especially important if you have pets or long hair—those areas can get dirtier than you think!

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Final Thoughts

The key to avoiding these commonly missed spots is adding them to your regular cleaning routine. You don’t have to tackle them all every week, but by being mindful of them, you’ll keep your home feeling cleaner and fresher for longer.

As someone who’s been in the cleaning game for a while, I can tell you that getting into a rhythm with these often-overlooked areas will not only make your home sparkle but will also cut down on the deep cleaning you need to do in the future. Happy cleaning!

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