The 16 Dirtiest Spots in Your House—and How to Clean Them

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Keeping your home clean isn’t just about tidying up the areas you see every day. It’s easy to forget about the hidden spots that gather dirt and germs. These neglected areas can become breeding grounds for pests and bacteria.

Here’s a list of the dirtiest spots in your home and simple ways to clean them.

Behind the Kitchen Stove

There’s no telling what gets trapped behind the kitchen stove. Not cleaning it could lead to unruly pests and potential fire hazards. Cleaning behind a furnace can be difficult and time-consuming, but it is necessary to keep your home clean.

Around the Toilet

It’s easy to forget to clean around and behind the toilet. We often clean the toilet seat and inside the toilet but neglect to clean behind the toilet, where dirt, dust, and other bodily fluids can accumulate. Apply a bleach-based cleaning product and wipe the area with a paper towel. 

Underneath Furniture

Underneath the bed and couch is prone to dirt buildup, pet hair, and dust. You may even find the occasional socks, shirt, and water bottle. Move the furniture (if possible) and sweep the area to remove dirt and dust.

If you cannot move the furniture, use a broom with an extended handle and dustpan to sweep away any materials that may have settled in tight corners or underneath.

Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals can leave behind an unpleasant odor in the kitchen. The best way to clean and eliminate smells in the garbage disposal is to use natural remedies such as lemon or orange peels and run them through the disposal.

You can also place ice cubes, baking soda, or vinegar down the drain to help break down the built-up food residue and get rid of the smell.

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The Coffee Maker

Let’s face it: most of us don’t actually clean our coffee machines. And if you happen to be an avid coffee drinker and lover, this frequently used appliance can become a breeding ground for bacteria, germs, and mineral buildup.

The dirt and mineral buildup could alter the bold flavor of your coffee and the coffee maker’s brewing speed. 

How to Clean a Coffee Maker with Vinegar

Grout

The grout between your tiles can accumulate dirt and sometimes mold on its surfaces. Not only does this diminish the overall appearance of your tiles, but it also creates an environment for bacteria and allergens to thrive.

Cleaning grout might seem detailed and time-consuming, but if you make it a regular part of your cleaning routine, you can prevent mold from building up.

How to Clean Your Tile Grout

Showerhead

While the showerhead may appear clean on the outside, over time, it can accumulate dirt, minerals, and bacteria, which can greatly impact hygiene and the quality of our showering experience.

To clean the showerhead, start by soaking the head in a mixture of white vinegar and warm water for an hour. Gently scrub off any remaining deposits with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Then, rinse the shower head thoroughly with hot water and dry it with a soft cloth. Doing this regularly will help prevent buildup and keep your shower head functioning correctly. 

Kitchen Sponge

Kitchen sponges tend to collect a lot of bacteria and germs. To effectively sanitize the sponge, you can microwave it, soak it in water and bleach, or simply throw it away.

Kitchen Sink

The kitchen sink follows the sponge as one of the home’s dirtiest areas, largely due to the remnants of food preparation it encounters.

Wash the sink daily with dish detergent and warm water. Weekly, disinfect with a cleaner or a mild bleach solution.

Inside the Dishwasher

While a dishwasher’s main function is to clean dishes, over time, food particles, dirt, and mineral deposits can accumulate inside the dishwasher. This can lead to unwelcomed smells, crappy performance, and potential problems with drainage.

Regularly cleaning your dishwasher can avoid any performance issues and use it to its full potential. 

How to Clean a Dishwasher with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Ceiling Lights and Fixtures

A ceiling fan is often overlooked because of its height and the difficulty of accessing it. Lots of dust will sit on top and around the edge of the ceiling fan’s blade and light fixtures. Grab an adjustable duster to clean high-ceiling fans and light fixtures.

The duster will remove any dust that has accumulated on the fan’s blades. If the dust is stubborn and won’t come off easily, you may need to get on top of a stepping stool and use a damp cloth and mild detergent solution to remove it.

Baseboards

Baseboards can easily get scuffed, scratched, and stained from activities and movement within the home. A simple wipe-down with a microfiber cloth and an all-purpose cleaning solution is all you need to clean them.

Windows

Windows get opened and closed, leaving behind lots of fingerprints, smudges, dust, and dirt. To clean the window, use a winder cleaner like Windex and spray the window. Then, use a rag or paper towel to wipe off the Windex. This should make your windows look brand spanking new again.

Blinds

Blinds can gather a lot of dust, accumulating over time. Clean them using a water-dampened microfiber cloth to wipe away the dust.

Washing Machine

Occasionally, your washing machine may emit a foul odor due to odor-causing residue accumulation in the drum, which can also make your clothes smell. To address this, run a monthly cleaning cycle with bleach or vinegar.

Toothbrush Holder

Often overlooked during bathroom cleaning, the toothbrush holder is among the germiest spots in the home. It harbors food particles on bristles and provides a moist environment for germs to thrive.

To clean, if dishwasher-safe, wash the holder weekly in the dishwasher or by hand with hot, soapy water.

How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet

Whether it’s a small dribble or a full-blown coffee catastrophe, here are the best ways to remove coffee stains from your carpet so you can say goodbye to those unsightly brown marks for good. From basic household items to specialized stain removers, let’s get rid of those coffee stains once and for all.

How to Clean Coffee Stains From Carpet 

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