Even the tidiest homes have areas and everyday items that don’t get cleaned as often as they should. We might vacuum the floors, wipe kitchen benches and clean the bathroom regularly, but what about the remote control, light switches, phone, door mat or the space underneath the sofa?
These overlooked items can collect dust, dirt, food residue and everyday grime simply because they aren’t part of our usual cleaning routine. High-touch surfaces such as door handles, light switches and frequently used electronics can also benefit from regular cleaning.
In our previous article, we looked at whether we might be overcleaning some of the items in our house, including carpets and fabric furnishings. This time, we’re looking at the other side of the problem: the things we regularly forget to clean.
Here are 15 commonly overlooked items to add to your home cleaning checklist.
The remote control
The remote control is one of those household items that gets handled constantly but rarely makes it onto the cleaning checklist. Dust, fingerprints and everyday grime can build up between the buttons and around the edges.
Before cleaning, remove the batteries if appropriate and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a slightly damp microfibre cloth or a product suitable for the remote’s surface, and avoid spraying liquid directly onto the device. Pay particular attention to the spaces around and between the buttons.
Electronics should always be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Your toothbrush
Your toothbrush is used every day, yet it is easy to forget that the brush itself needs proper care.
After brushing, rinse the bristles thoroughly under running water and store the toothbrush upright so it can dry between uses. Avoid covering a wet toothbrush, as a closed container can restrict drying.
Rather than replacing your toothbrush every month, the Dental Association recommends replacing it approximately every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed or worn.
You don’t necessarily need to use special products to “disinfect” your toothbrush, soaking it in vinegar is a great and inexpensive way to do so. It’s important to remember that good everyday care and regular replacement are more important.
The garbage bin
If you live in a house it’s almost certain that you have a garbage bin in front of your driveway. You may regularly empty your rubbish bin, but emptying it isn’t the same as cleaning it. It’s okay not to clean it every week, but you should clean it at least once every two months in order to avoid a bad odour coming from it.
Food scraps, spills and leaking rubbish bags can leave residue inside the bin and create unpleasant smells. Give the inside and outside of the bin a proper clean when needed, particularly if something has leaked.
For indoor bins, wipe the lid, handles and other frequently touched areas regularly. Outdoor wheelie bins can also benefit from an occasional wash, particularly after spills or during warmer weather.
Allow the bin to dry completely before putting in a new liner.
Shower curtains and liners
Shower curtains and liners are constantly exposed to moisture, soap residue and bathroom humidity, so they can easily become overlooked sources of visible build-up. If you have them in your bathroom and it smells a bit funky in there, then it might be time to either wash them or if they are in a very bad state throw them away and buy new ones.
Check the manufacturer’s care instructions before washing or cleaning them. Some fabric curtains can be machine washed, while plastic or vinyl liners may need to be wiped down or replaced when they become excessively stained or damaged.
Keeping the bathroom ventilated and allowing the curtain to dry fully between showers can also help reduce moisture build-up.
Because they are almost always wet, make sure to change them every couple of weeks. That way you will avoid mould building up.
Door mats
Your door mat has one important job: catching dirt before it gets further into your home. That means it can accumulate plenty of dust, sand and debris over time. It might be the best way to accessorise your front door, but what happens when it’s dirty and worn out? Your home ends up looking bad and dirty.
Vacuum your mat regularly and clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Shake or brush outdoor mats where appropriate, and replace them when they become worn or damaged.
The Plants in Your Home
Plants can collect a surprising amount of dust on their leaves, pots and surrounding surfaces.
For suitable plants, gently wipe broad leaves with a clean, damp cloth. Smaller plants can sometimes be rinsed carefully, depending on the plant variety and its care requirements.
Don’t forget the area underneath the pot. Water spills and accumulated soil can leave marks on shelves, floors and window sills.
The kitchen sponge
One thing that is mandatory to know is kitchen sponges are full of bacteria! They deserve more attention because they regularly come into contact with food residue, moisture and kitchen surfaces.
The NSW Health notes that kitchen sponges can be potential sources of bacteria and are difficult to clean effectively, so if you use them, replacing them frequently is recommended.
You can sanitise a wet sponge in the microwave for one minute, run it through a hot dishwasher cycle, or soak it in a weak bleach solution to lower germ levels. If a sponge smells unpleasant, becomes worn or has been used to clean up particularly messy spills, replacing it is often the simplest option. Make sure that you throw away the old one and change it with a new one every one to two weeks, or every week if used heavily.
Your smartphone
Your smartphone goes almost everywhere with you, but it isn’t always included in your cleaning routine.
Before cleaning, check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific device. Use an appropriate cloth or cleaning product and avoid allowing liquid to enter openings such as charging ports or speakers.
The same applies to phone cases. Remove the case occasionally and clean both the case and the phone according to their respective care instructions.
Phones and other frequently handled electronics are among the items for which manufacturers’ cleaning instructions should be followed carefully.
The bed pillows
We remember to wash pillowcases and sheets, but the pillows underneath them are often forgotten.
Check the care label before washing or cleaning a pillow because different fillings require different methods. Some pillows can be machine washed, while others should only be spot cleaned or professionally cleaned.
Regularly check pillows for stains, odours, lumps or signs of wear, and replace them when they are no longer providing the support or condition you need. That way you will both have a healthier place to sleep and prolong the life of your pillow.
The computer, keyboard and mouse
Depending on if you are using a desktop PC or if you like using laptops. Having a clean computer is mandatory. Your computer keyboard, mouse and other frequently handled accessories can collect dust, crumbs and fingerprints.
The desktop PC should be cleaned every week. This includes the monitor, mouse and keyboard and of course the computer box itself. Turn off and unplug equipment where appropriate before cleaning it. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, especially for screens and electronic components.
For keyboards, carefully remove loose debris and clean the exterior with an appropriate cloth. Don’t spray cleaning liquid directly onto electronic equipment.
If you’re cleaning a desktop computer tower, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidance before attempting to remove panels or clean internal components.
Light switches and door handles
Be honest. When was the last time that you cleaned the door handles and the light switches? If the answer is never, then you should start now. These are some of the easiest areas to overlook because they’re small, but they’re also touched frequently throughout the day.
Add light switches, door handles, cupboard handles and other frequently touched fixtures to your regular cleaning routine. Use a suitable cleaner for the surface and avoid applying excess liquid around electrical components.
The CDC specifically identifies light switches and doorknobs as high-touch surfaces that should be cleaned regularly.
Hair brushes and combs
Hair brushes and combs can accumulate loose hair, product residue, dust and skin oils.
Start by removing trapped hair by hand or with a comb-cleaning tool. Depending on the material and manufacturer’s instructions, the brush can then be washed or wiped clean.
Make sure it dries thoroughly before using it again. Wooden brushes and other delicate materials may require a different cleaning method, so check the care instructions first.
Bathroom decorations and accessories
Decorative items can make a bathroom feel more inviting, but they can also collect dust, soap residue and moisture.
Remove decorations from shelves and vanity areas occasionally and clean underneath them rather than simply wiping around them. Pay attention to containers, trays, ornaments and other objects that remain in damp areas.
If an item shows signs of mould, persistent moisture damage or deterioration, consider whether it is suitable for continued use in the bathroom.
Curtains and blinds
Curtains and blinds can collect dust even though they’re not touched every day.
Vacuum curtains gently using an appropriate attachment and clean blinds according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Some fabrics can be machine washed, while others may require professional cleaning.
Don’t forget curtain rods, tracks, pelmets and the window areas around them, where dust can accumulate over time.
Under and behind furniture
One of the biggest cleaning blind spots isn’t an object at all, it’s the space underneath and behind your furniture.
Sofas, beds, cabinets and other large pieces of furniture can hide dust, pet hair, crumbs and other debris. When practical and safe, move lightweight furniture so you can vacuum and clean underneath it.
For heavier furniture, clean as far underneath as your equipment safely allows rather than attempting to move anything that could cause injury or damage.
Don’t forget the items you touch every day
The easiest things to overlook are often the things we use without thinking about them. Remote controls, phones, light switches, door handles, keyboards and other everyday objects can quietly accumulate dirt because they aren’t part of our normal cleaning checklist.
You don’t need to disinfect every surface in your home constantly. In most household situations, regular cleaning is sufficient, while additional disinfection may be appropriate when someone is sick or under other specific circumstances.
The simplest approach is to add these overlooked items to your existing cleaning routine. Once they’re on the checklist, they’re much less likely to be forgotten.
Conclusion
A clean home isn’t just about spotless floors and sparkling kitchen benches. Paying attention to the smaller, easily forgotten items can make your cleaning routine more thorough and help you stay on top of everyday dirt and grime.
Start with a few items from this list and add them to your regular cleaning schedule. You don’t need to tackle everything in one day, spreading these jobs throughout the month can make them much easier to manage.
And when certain areas require specialist equipment, extra time or a deeper clean than you can manage yourself, professional cleaning services can help take care of the harder jobs.
