8 Of The Dirtiest & Most Overlooked Areas In Your Home

No matter how hard you clean, the average home is never 100% clean without professional housekeeping services. That’s because the average American home includes many overlooked areas teeming with bacteria, mold, and other nasty things.

One study uncovered 340 different bacteria on just 30 household objects. The scariest part of all? They found most fecal matter and bacteria exists in the kitchen, where food is prepped and stored.

Not all household germs can make you ill, the ones that can include:

Yeast

Mold

Salmonella

Escherichia coli, E. coli

Fecal matter

Staphylococcus aureus, staph

These dangerous germs often lurk in the most overlooked areas, including…

#1. Door frames

Doors are often covered in dust and can easily become one of the dirtiest places in your home without you even realizing it. The tops of doors are out of reach and out of sight, allowing all kinds of dust to build up unnoticed. A feather duster with an extendable handle is a great tool to remove dust from high up locations. Make sure to vacuum after you dust all doors.

#2. Curtains

How dirty are the curtains in your home? They might look clean from afar but when’s the last time they were washed or dusted? If you’re like most people, the curtains in your home are housing a whirlwind of dust, mold, pollen, and debris that impact air quality and overall cleanliness. Some curtains and drapes come with special cleaning instructions, so proceed with caution.

Pro tip: Start from the top and work your way down so you don’t undo all your hard work in the process.

#3. Underneath Appliances

Pull out your refrigerator or oven and you might be shocked what’s hiding in your kitchen. It’s common for food particles to fall beneath appliances and cause nasty kitchen odors. Full size appliances and small countertop appliances should be moved during cleaning at least once a month.

#4. Trash Cans

Just because you take out the trash doesn’t mean you’re removing all smells, food particles and bacteria. Your entire trashcan needs to be sanitized and wiped down on a regular basis to eliminate odors and dangerous bacteria.

#5. Baseboards

Baseboards collect all kinds of dirt from pets, foot traffic, and so forth. Maintaining your baseboards on a regular basis prevents stains and dust from building up. A damp cloth can help remove dust. We recommend cleaning your baseboards before you vacuum so that any dust that gets knocked onto floors is sucked right up.

#6. Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are hard to reach and often become neglected as a result. Look at your ceiling fan now, chances are you can see dust clinging to the blades of the fan. It only takes about 1 month for the average ceiling fan to become coated in dust, so this is a somewhat regular cleaning chore. Otherwise, every time you turn on your ceiling fan, you are spreading dust and debris all over the room. Having troubles with allergies? Excess dust on ceiling fans can make it a lot worse.

#7. Light Switches & Door Handles

Light switches and door handles are touched on a regular basis, whenever someone goes in and out of a room. That’s why both fixtures are often covered in germs and even look a little grimy under close inspection. These areas should be cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis. You might think door handles are the dirtiest, but according to the NSF, bathroom light switches are usually even dirtier.

#8. Shower Curtains

That curtain you stand beside as you wash your body is likely covered in bacteria, soap scum, and mildew. That’s why it’s so important to run your curtains through the washing machine on a regular basis. If your shower curtain contains rubber or plastic, hang it dry so nothing ends up melting in your dryer.

But Wait… Are Your Cleaning Supplies Dirty?

Your cleaning supplies might be dirty, in which case you are spreading around more germs and bacteria. Sanitary supplies are fundamental to a clean house, so don’t neglect to clean your cleaning tools. Scrub toilet brushes, microwave sponges, and switch cleaning towels as you go.

Signature Maids offer superior housekeeping services. We pay close attention to everything from heavily trafficked hallways to the most overlooked areas of your home. Plus, we bring all the cleaning supplies—and, you can rest assured, they are clean. That means you save so much time and effort, all while enjoying a spotless and germ-free home. Contact us today to receive a free custom quote.