Note: This is a guest post from Dana White of A Slob Comes Clean.
As a teenager, I worked at a camp. A very clean camp.
I learned a lot over those summers. I lived by the detailed checklists we were given that told us exactly what to clean and how to clean it.
It was a magical time in my life, and I remember almost every moment fondly.
Almost.
The bedrooms in our staff cabin underwent daily inspections, and I still feel a little heat in my face and grumpiness in my heart when I remember being scolded for my messy bunk.
I doubt the scolding was much of a scolding, but I took it hard because I was so genuinely confused. I couldn’t understand what had caused me to fail the inspection. When I asked the inspector, the look on her face clearly showed that she couldn’t understand what I didn’t understand. She listed off multiple “obvious” things that I had neglected to do.
They were not obvious to me. Obviously.
As I became an adult with my own home, I learned that I had legitimate issues with not seeing things the way others see them. (Slob Vision is a real thing.) I became paranoid about missing cleaning tasks that should be obvious.
I’ve come a long way, and by keeping up with daily tasks and getting clutter out of my home, I’m much more aware of what needs to be done. I’ve also chilled out a lot and realized it’s more important to welcome people into a home with a potentially-overlooked mess than it is to keep them out for fear of forgetting.
But a list helps. So here’s mine. Here’s a list of cleaning tasks that can be easily overlooked, spring (with all of its natural cleaning energy) is a great time to tackle them.
I’ll start with the tasks that are most visible. That’s how I prioritize all of my cleaning and decluttering efforts. I call it the Visibility Rule. Progress in visible areas increases my cleaning energy and inspires me to keep going.
12 Cleaning Tasks that Can Be Easily Overlooked
Doorknobs
A doorknob and the grime that somehow gathers around it may be the first thing a guest sees. It’s annoying that hands I wash all the time get grime on things they touch, but it’s also satisfying to wipe that grime away.
Light Switch Covers
Again with the finger grime. I’m sure there’s a scientific explanation involving body oil and skin cells, but I don’t want to talk about that because it grosses me out. Just clean your light switch covers.
Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans
I’m a big fan of turning on my ceiling fan in a pinch if I forget to dust it, but maybe you’re not as lucky as I am to be at an age where you can realistically call Hot Flash on a cool day. If you are paranoid about sending dust chunks flying, use a pillow case to do the job and catch the chunks inside. (Just don’t forget to shake it out into the trash.)
If glass light fixtures are easily removed and replaced, stick them in the dishwasher and they’ll come out sparkly. While I often don’t notice a slightly dirty light fixture, clean and shiny ones get my attention.
The Back of the Bathroom Door
It feels like the back of the bathroom door doesn’t qualify as visible. But it’s totally visible to someone who is in the bathroom. I don’t want to talk (or think) about how the door gets dirty, I’ll just tell you to clean it.
Plant Dust
Real ones or fake ones, I feel like plants should be self-cleaning, but somehow they aren’t. Dust them.
Tops of Curtains
Windows usually get attention during spring cleaning, but don’t miss the tops of your curtains. You could wash the curtains if they’re washable (and hang them right back up to dry), but if you’re not going to do that, at least dust the tops.
Window Sills
Grab a handheld vacuum and clean your window sills, especially ones behind curtains. That’s where bugs go to die.
Let’s move on to some things that aren’t as visible, but quietly get dirty and can really benefit from the focus of spring cleaning:
Silverware Trays
How exactly do crumbs end up in a place where only clean utensils go? I’m not here to solve that mystery, just to remind you that it happens. If your silverware tray is dishwasher safe, run it through a cycle. If not, wipe it out.
Dishwasher and Washing Machine
It feels like dishwashers and washing machines shouldn’t need to be cleaned because they deal with soap and water on the regular. But just like a bathtub, they do. Both will look better and perform better once they have been cleaned. Usually, it’s as simple as running a cycle with a special cleaner.
Walls
Dust your walls. I was upset, too, when I realized dust could collect on vertical surfaces, but being mad about it didn’t make my house look better as much as running a dry mop along my walls. The whole room looks brighter (and a little less fuzzy) when the walls have been dusted.
What are some things you forget to clean?
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Dana K. White is an author, podcaster, speaker, and (much to her own surprise) a Decluttering Expert. In a desperate attempt to get her own home under control, Dana started blogging as “Nony” (short for anonymous) at A Slob Comes Clean in 2009. Today, Dana shares realistic home management strategies and a message of hope for the hopelessly messy in her books: Decluttering at the Speed of Life and How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind.
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Nancy Rutman says
I’ve watched a lot of housecleaning videos on YouTube (don’t judge; I find it strangely satisfying), and I find that most people don’t kno how to make a bed properly. Dana is not alone. Google “hospital corners,” people. It’s not rocket science! It will help keep your bed from becoming a complete mess every day.
Sandy Fisk says
I would tease my mom for washing light bulbs in hot, soapy water, until I was a household cleaner. Light bulbs get grimy, too. Clean ones don’t waste any precious lumens!
Sandra says
I would tease my mom for washing light bulbs in hot, soapy water, until I was a household cleaner. Light bulbs get grimy, too. Clean ones don’t waste any precious lumens!
Shirley says
I can see by the comments that many people have much cleaner houses than I do! Good for you! Appreciated the humor in this blog post.
Susan says
I cannot tell you how excited I was when I thought this article was going to list things that could be easily skipped when doing spring cleaning. Sigh. Thought I was going to be given permission on stuff I did not have to do, ha ha.
Sherri says
I thought the same thing for a minute, too! Yay! Things I can skip! Oh, no, wait ….
Nancy Pigg says
Sanitize your steering wheel. From then on, sanitize your hands before touching the wheel.
Peggy Behnke says
Over washing hands is unhealthy. We have good bacteria all over our bodies…and it has a purpose, to fight the bad bacteria…Playing out side builds up immunities. On another note, if your house is perfect every time your friends visit, they will be uncomfortable if you drop by and there house is not perfect. People need to relax and enjoy each other more than worry about a picture perfect house. Only in modern times have folks had the time to clean so much. (yes, door knobs and cabinet knobs are over looked, and need a good cleaning monthly or so) but dusting walls?
merri says
Peggy – Wish you were my neighbor…we’d be instant BFFs! I have an inviting home – never looks dirty – but picture-perfect is not worth the time-energy-focus it takes. Life’s too short to spend that much time and thought on cleaning. There’s plenty of dust in the great outdoors, too. -merri
Christine Litch says
Yes! So true. You will never be welcome in their home if you are a perfectionist/ neat freak!
Chill out a smidge.
LindsayE says
-Behind and under the stove (if it’s not built in on the counter). You can tell it gets bad if you’re reaching hard to get dust bunnies from the bottom or the sides.
-the refrigerator sides, underneath, and the grill like screen on the back get horrible dust bunnies, along with the top
-the inside of trash cans (even though we use a bag) can get sticky and crumby especially if you have tiny humans. Same goes for the recycling bin even if you’re washing out all the plastics, aluminum and glass. How? Idk. But I have to clean mine occasionally.
-under couch and chair cushions. Yes, the vacuuming was done, the leather or cloth furniture is clean in appearance, but couch cushions hide kids crumbs, drink straws, change, little wrappers, dust bunnies, pet hair, your favorite writing utensil you’ve been missing, etc.
-I love that someone mentioned base boards because that is so true!
-In my bedroom I forget that whatever I chose to keep after simplifying may collect dust on the top shelf. If I kept dress shoes that I wear maybe only on a special occasion those are great to dust. Last thing I want is to be freshly showered, hair/makeup done, dress on, and go to grab my high heels only to find them dusty. Ick.
-A huge per-peeve of mine is when people sanitize but don’t clean. Let me quickly explain. I spent a few years in the army. We’d have cleaning parties. You could smell bleach or a cheap knock-off PineSol brand everywhere you went. But people, we’d get yelled at and suffer the physical consequences because people were using the product but it wasn’t really clean. You see, if you do a crummy job of sweeping before your mop job you don’t get all the dirt or mud. You’ll still have that on the floor and you’ll just be moving it around with bleach water or the pinesol want-to-be products. When it dries it’s still dirty, you just have “sanitized dirt” on your floors, as my first sergeant loved to remind us. I’ll never mop a floor without a thorough sweeping first.
-one last one, then I’m done. You’d think it would be common sense to go from top to bottom because gravity exists. I know so many people who don’t have this common sense. Here’s what I mean. Dust your fans, blinds, counter tops, and dressers, then foot boards from highest to lowest. Then do your sweeping/vacuuming/mopping. Seems to me to be common sense but again, someone may not have taken the time to think this out with kids running around or if they’re new to their first place. I get it.
I love all the comments on other easily missed places! Great post!
Shirely says
Yes dust top to bottom, but if washing cabinets or walls start at bottom to top or you will get streaks.
Gail says
I worked a temp job that involved re-typing a housekeeping manual for a local hospital. I learned a lot from that and yes, there IS a specific system for cleaning top to bottom!
Peggy Sanders says
Bathroom vents, kitchen hoods, air filters and their cavity. Stair railings (major grime on all sides) and decorative supports. Door jambs and leading edge of doors, esp 12″ above adult head to waist level (where they’re held). TVs and all electronics ( literal dust magnets). Kitchen – tile backsplashes and behind stove, microwave cabinet and inside unit. Bases of mixers, blenders, coffee makers… hurriedly put away. Inside tray, bakeware, cutting board cabinets.
Lightbulbs themselves ( no windex or ammonia, will pop bulbs) and insides of shades as well as outsides. Remove hair from vanity and tub/shower drains.
Laundry room – check dryer hose, vacuum behind/inside lint trap in machine itself. Check exterior of vent to clear lint . Laundry rm is place of gettinv clean and holds the yuck. Takes extra care.
Etc, etc
Kelly says
I have recessed iron radiators. Those hold soooo much dust, dirt and hair! I am forever trying to find gadgets for my vaccuum to get it all out! Not an easy task but a must.
Lonneke says
I think a lot of people forget to clean their keys.
You use and touch them every day.
Same goes for bags and backpacks.
And I clean the edges of tables and desks. For some reason where you sit and touch the table with your belly and legs gets overload often too.
Patricia Devine says
I bet we all remember now. :( A lot has changed since March 2020.