The spots most homes miss are the ones you touch every day without looking at, and the ones you never see at all: light switches, remotes, the gap behind the fridge, the top of the ceiling fan. None of them take long to clean once you know they are there. Here are ten we find over and over again in Denver metro homes, with a simple way to handle each one and a rough idea of how often to do it.
1. Light switches, door handles and cabinet pulls
These are the most-touched surfaces in the house, and they rarely get more than a glance. Fingerprints and skin oils build up around the edges of switch plates and on the inside curve of handles, where hands actually grip.
Wipe them with a cloth lightly dampened with an all-purpose cleaner or a disinfecting wipe. Spray the cloth, not the switch, so no liquid runs behind the plate. Once a week is a good habit, more often during cold and flu season or when someone in the house is sick.
2. Remotes, game controllers and phones
Anything that gets passed from hand to hand on the couch picks up crumbs, dust and grime in the seams. Take the batteries out of remotes first. Wipe the surface with a microfiber cloth slightly dampened with rubbing alcohol, then run a cotton swab between the buttons. For phones, follow the manufacturer's guidance for screens and cases.
3. The toothbrush holder
Water and toothpaste drip into the bottom of the holder and sit there in a warm, damp bathroom. Rinse it out and wash it in hot soapy water every week or two. If it is dishwasher safe, put it on the top rack. Let it dry completely before you put brushes back in.
4. Baseboards and door trim
Baseboards catch dust, pet hair and scuffs, and because they sit at floor level they are easy to ignore until a room starts to look tired. Vacuum along them with a brush attachment first, then wipe with a damp microfiber cloth and a little mild soap. A melamine sponge will lift most scuffs, but test it on a hidden spot first because it can dull some paint finishes. Once a month keeps them in good shape.
5. Under and behind the big appliances
Crumbs, grease and dust collect under the stove, behind the refrigerator and around the washer and dryer. Left long enough, that buildup holds odors and can attract pests. If you can safely slide an appliance out, unplug it, vacuum the floor and wall behind it, and wipe up anything sticky with a degreaser. Check the refrigerator's coils while you are back there, since dust on them makes the fridge work harder. Every three to six months is reasonable for most kitchens.
This is also one of the jobs people most often hand off. Our deep cleaning service includes the stove, oven and refrigerator, so the appliances get a proper reset instead of a quick wipe of the doors.
6. Ceiling fans and light fixtures
Fan blades collect a thick layer of dust on their top edge, and the first time you turn the fan on after a while, that dust lands on everything below. Turn the fan off, slide an old pillowcase over each blade and pull it back so the dust stays inside the case. Glass light covers trap dust and insects. Take them down, wash them in warm soapy water and let them dry fully before reinstalling. Every couple of months is enough for most rooms.
7. Reusable grocery bags
Bags that carry raw meat, produce and the occasional leaking container should be washed now and then. Most cloth and canvas bags can go in the washing machine, so check the label. Wipe insulated or plastic-lined bags inside and out with a disinfecting cleaner and let them air dry open before folding them away.
8. Shower curtains and liners
Liners stay damp almost all the time, which is why they turn pink or spotted along the bottom. Many fabric curtains and plastic liners can go through a gentle wash cycle with a couple of towels to help scrub them. Check the care label first, then hang them back up to dry. Once a month keeps mildew from getting a foothold, and spreading the liner out after each shower helps it dry faster.
9. The dish rack and the sink
A dish rack sits wet most of the day and collects soap scum and food bits in its corners. Take it apart once a week, scrub the joints with an old toothbrush and hot soapy water, and let every piece dry before you reassemble it. Give the sink basin, the drain stopper and the faucet base the same attention, since those areas stay damp too.
10. Houseplant leaves, blinds and window sills
Dust settles on anything flat or horizontal, and in a dry climate like ours it seems to come back quickly. Wipe large plant leaves gently with a damp cloth so they can take in light. For blinds, close them and dust with a microfiber cloth, then flip them and do the other side. Window sills and tracks usually need a vacuum crevice tool first, then a damp wipe.
How to keep these spots from piling up
You do not need to tackle all ten in one afternoon. A simple rotation works well for most households:
- Weekly: switches, handles, remotes, the dish rack and the sink.
- Every two to four weeks: the toothbrush holder, baseboards in busy rooms, the shower liner and your grocery bags.
- Every few months: fans, light fixtures, blinds and the floor behind the appliances.
If you already have a cleaner coming on a schedule, mention the items on this list you want covered. Many of the weekly and monthly items fit easily into recurring cleaning visits, while the bigger jobs like appliances and heavy buildup are a better fit for a deep clean every so often.
When it makes sense to call in help
If you read this list and realized most of these spots have not been touched in a long time, that is normal. It is also a good sign the house would benefit from one full reset, after which regular upkeep is much easier. Call Reina's Cleaning at 720-830-5364 or request a free quote, tell us which of these areas matter most to you, and we will put together a plan that fits your home.