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50+ Places People Forget to Clean- A checklist for cleaning house

You think your house is clean, but most people forget some things. Here are 50 places people forget to clean. Not anymore!

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Everyone remembers to clean the living room, toilets and clean hardwood floors, but there are a ton of places you should be cleaning and probably forget.  Most don’t take long and should be added to your cleaning routine.  

Some should be done every week, but others can be done once a month or even once a year for your deep cleaning checklist. This list is perfect for spring and holiday cleaning.

Doesn’t it feel good to have a clean house? 

You think your house is clean, but most people forget some things. Here are 50 places people forget to clean. Not anymore!

Cleaning Checklist for things people forget to clean

Not everyone can afford a cleaning service. The first thing I paid for when I started this website was for someone to come clean my home. My kids were small and I was so tired all the time. However, that didn’t last long when I added up all the money I was spending and realized I could be putting that into our college funds so I canceled my awesome lady and went back to cleaning myself.

With younger kids, I knew I needed to be organized so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed. I made sure to keep up with my daily cleaning. I even assigned my boys to do the bathroom cleaning since they are the ones that usually made the mess. I made a cleaning schedule that I made myself stick to.

Tips to make cleaning easier

Keep your essential cleaning products all in one place.

  • Microfiber cloths
  • Cleaning products- I’ve said this before in another blog post, but since we were in lockdown and I couldn’t find cleaning products I had to buy Pinesol. I continue to use it still because you can use it to clean everything. I love it.
  • Magic erasers– These are perfect to get those baseboards nice and white!
  • Robot Vacuum– I know this isn’t a necessary cleaning tool but I had to put it on here. I could go on forever about how awesome this thing is. I literally run my EVERY DAY! It encourages everyone to keep things picked up off the floor and gets all the dog hair up.

You may also like some of these cleaning tips too.

Wash the shower curtain

Replace the shower curtain liner

Behind the toilet

Shower drain

Toothbrush holder

The place where you keep your shampoo in the shower

Bottom of shower door-  Lots of gunk!

Ceiling fans-  Here’s a little tool to help.

That little ledge above the door

Baseboards- Magic eraser works well with these.

More places to add to your cleaning list

On top of the refrigerator

Inside refrigerator

Stainless steel appliances- This is a great stainless wipes that has great reviews on Amazon.

Kitchen table legs

Table chairs- These get so dirty. I have to use the magic eraser on mine because messes.

Light fixtures

Lamp Shades-   I vacuum mine with my Dustbuster or use the wand on my vacuum! You can remove it to make it a little easier too.

Window sills- Warm soapy water and a damp cloth does a great job.

Wipe Baseboards

Picture frames

Door knobs

Closet floors

Coffee maker- Run vinegar through once and then plain water (at least three times).

Tops of wall frames

Top of the microwave

Woman cleaning a door handle with a disinfection spray and disposable wipe.

and more to add to your checklist for house cleaning

Inside microwave- This is easy to forget- out of sight, out of mind- but give it a deep cleaning.

Computer keyboard-  I use this to clean my electronics.

Computer mouse

Remote controls

Computer Screen

Behind the couch

Under chairs

House phone- If you even still have one of these!

Cell phone- We buy alcohol wipes that make this super easy!

Silverware drawer- How does the clean silverware drawer always end up with junk in it?

Oven drawer- An all purpose cleaner will work fine on this.

Inside of trash cans-  All of them!  If it’s sitting out you may need to replace it.  It just looks nicer.

Pantry floor

Air filter grates- I take mine outside and spray with the water hose and use a scrub brush to get in all the small spaces.

person in jeans holding vacuum cleaner and lifting up the corner of a rug to vacuum under it

even more places you forget to clean in your home…

Air vent grates

Behind washer and dryer

Inside washing machine

Outside of washer and dryer

Banisters- These get so dirty and should be cleaned often.

Front Door

Door from garage into house

Dust house plants- You can use a light touch and a microfiber cloth.

Under the sinks

Outside furniture

Fireplace

Light switches- Wipe those down, sanitize and replace any broken switch plates.

Button to garage door- Mine was filthy!

Pet bowls or just buy new ones!

Garbage disposal- BONUS!

Do you have all these things on your list of things to clean in your house? How many do you already do?  How many are you adding to your list?  Sometimes you know what you need to do and you just need a little reminder and motivation to get it done!  Good luck!

Amber

Saturday 2nd of January 2021

This is a pretty comprehensive list! I find that cleaning refridgerator coils can be done while sweeping or vacuuming the floor. Today, I washed all of my socks inside out as I don't like 'lint toe jam'! Seems petty but .. it pleases me. [I see a list in my head of a whole clothing/closet section!] Thanks for your hints/tricks. :D

DC

Tuesday 18th of April 2017

Can I pretend I didn't see your list? LOL ..... feels like my to-do list just expanded by a couple weeks ;)

Holly

Wednesday 19th of April 2017

haha!!

Melissa

Friday 31st of March 2017

Thanks for this! I'm going to print this out for when I have a few extra minutes, or for when the kids need a consequence! :-D

Amanda

Monday 25th of July 2022

@Melissa, I tried chores as consequences and it sucked for all of us. They do a terrible job etc... I now use these extra "outside of the ordinary" cleaning things as a way for my kiddos to earn money. Also, the most effective consequence I've ever used on my kiddos is grounding them to the family room. All their fun stuff is in their room 😊.

Holly

Sunday 2nd of April 2017

Good idea!