Dirt and grime can hide in some unexpected places around your home (we see you, dishwasher filters!). But if you overlook these areas for too long, they can become a hotbed for germs and bacteria, dust, and even mold.
“There are lots of hidden places that get dirty that we don’t notice until it’s out of control,” says Debbie Sardone, owner of SpeedCleaning.com and a coach and speaker on home cleaning.
Cleaning the floors and scrubbing the counters and toilets may be standard cleaning chores, but are there other things you’re forgetting to clean in your house? Studies have found that many of the germiest places in a home may not be considered prime problem areas. And they may not be part of a typical cleaning routine.
So, let’s expose all those dirty little secrets lurking around the home — and finally give them a good cleaning.
Commonly Missed Cleaning Areas in Bathrooms and Kitchens
Michael Rubino, indoor air quality expert and mold remediator at HomeCleanse in Tampa, Fla., recommends homing in on these commonly missed areas in kitchens and bathrooms:
- Appliances
- Areas that get routinely wet
- Out-of-sight areas, like the inside of cabinets
- Fixtures, like showerheads and sink faucets
- Exhaust fans and vent covers
- Dusty areas, like doorframes, décor on walls, baseboards, and windowsills
The Top 10 Germy Places in the Home
The National Sanitation Foundation’s longstanding research named these top 10 germ-laden spots:
- Kitchen sponge/dish rag
- Kitchen sink
- Toothbrush holder
- Pet bowl
- Coffee reservoir
- Faucet handles
- Pet toys
- Countertops
- Stove knobs
- Cutting boards
Kitchen Cleaning Tips: Commonly Overlooked Items
As far as the germiest place in the house, that would be the kitchen, according to the NSF. Here are items you may forget to clean:
Kitchen Sponges
More than 75% of dish sponges and rags contain Salmonella, E.coli and fecal matter —that’s way higher than 9% for bathroom faucet handles, according to NSF research. The foundation recommends ditching sponges in favor of dishcloths, towels, or rags, which are easily sanitized by tossing them in the washing machine.
- How to clean it: Soak the sponge in a solution of white vinegar for about five minutes, Rubino suggests. Or, the NSF recommends placing wet sponges in the microwave for two minutes once per day.
- How often: Daily (replace sponges every two weeks or more, as needed)
Dishwasher Filters
“Once the dishwasher starts to stink, you’ll also start to notice your dishes won’t smell clean,” Sardone says. There’s a “secret strainer” at the bottom of the dishwasher that needs to be cleaned. Many households don’t even know it’s there, which means decaying food particles could linger for months — or even years, she says.
- How to clean it: Unscrew the strainer. Rinse it under the sink to clean it and remove any food particles. Reinstall.
- How often: Every three to six months, or as needed
Coffee Reservoir
Coffee reservoirs (aka built-in water tanks on coffee machines) also is one of the germiest places in the home, according to the NSF. It’s a prime spot for bacteria, mold, and mildew to grow.
- How to clean it: Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Vinegar can often be used to clean a coffeemaker. The NSF recommends this process: Add up to four cups of undiluted vinegar to the reservoir. Let it stand for 30 minutes. Run the vinegar through the coffee machine. Then, run two to three additional cycles using fresh water until the vinegar solution and odor are gone.
- How often: Most manufacturers recommend every 40 to 80 brew cycles or monthly
Trash Cans
A trash bag liner can catch only so much. Eventually, odors can build up, and grime can seep through, leaving a stinky garbage can and stinky kitchen.
- How to clean it: Merry Maids recommends first wiping down the outside of the empty trashcan using a microfiber cloth with warm soapy water. Then, do the same on the inside of the trash can. Dry thoroughly using a fresh microfiber cloth or towel. Once the trash can is completely dry, place a new bin liner inside.
- How often: As needed or monthly
Range Hood Vents
The range hood above your cooktop vents to remove grease, odors, and smoke while cooking. But it can be a magnet for food particles and grease buildup. When the filter is clogged, the fan won’t work as effectively. Also, a heavily greased filter could pose a fire hazard.
- How to clean it: Check the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. Typically, this requires removing the vent hood filter, often on the underside of the hood. Use a dry cloth to loosen any dirt or debris. Soak the filters in hot water with dish soap. After the filters are dry, reinstall them.
- How often: Monthly or annually, depending on cooking frequency
The Coils Behind the Refrigerator
“Those dark spaces behind your fridge can hide surprising amounts of grease and crumbs, while the coils underneath can collect dust that can affect performance,” says Nathaly Vieira, head of marketing and innovation at InspireClean, a cleaning service in Southern Ontario.
- How to clean it: Use a vacuum with a long attachment, followed by a microfiber mop that contains a degreasing solution.
- How often: Every three to four months
Kitchen Faucet
White, crusty limescale deposits can appear on the faucet. “They are unsightly and also can reduce your water pressure,” Vieira says.
- How to clean it: Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar. Secure it around the faucet with a rubber band. Let it soak for four to six hours — or overnight for tough buildups, Vieira recommends. The vinegar will help dissolve the mineral deposits. Once the bag is removed, scrub the faucet gently to remove any remaining residue.
- How often: Every few months
Kitchen Sink and Disposal
The kitchen sink can harbor a lot of bacteria and germs, even possibly cross-contaminating your food if you aren’t careful. The disposal can also add a foul odor to your kitchen space.
- How to clean it: Wash and disinfect the sides and bottoms of the sink with a disinfecting cleaner. Molly Maid, a national housecleaning service, recommends several methods to clean a garbage disposal, including grinding up ice cubes in the disposal to dislodge food buildup. Then, pour a half cup of baking soda into the disposal. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, pour a cup of vinegar into the disposal, allowing it to sit for a few minutes. Rinse with hot water.
- How often: Once or twice a week with a disinfecting cleaner for the kitchen sink, and monthly for the garbage disposal
Stove Knobs
These often-forgotten spots around a home can harbor germs, the NSF says.
- How to clean it: On most stove models, the control knobs can be pulled off. Check the manual. Once knobs are removed, wash them in hot, soapy water. Rinse well and let them dry before reinstalling.
- How often: Weekly
Pantry Shelves
Crumbs, mold, and left-open food can be hidden throughout a kitchen pantry’s shelves. They can attract pests and pantry moths.
- How to clean it: Toss any expired food items. Clean with a damp rag, wiping down each shelf. For long-term maintenance, consider adding shelf liners to better protect shelves from spills and use storage containers to securely store dry goods.
- How often: Every three to six months
Bathroom Cleaning Tips
The potential for bacteria and mold can lurk throughout a bathroom, particularly if you neglect certain household cleaning chores. Here’s a bathroom cleaning checklist of problem areas.
The Bathroom Exhaust Fan
In the bathroom, the exhaust fan is important to keep clean, says Kelly Russum, owner of KC’s 23½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning in Palm Springs, Calif. “The covers are some of the dirtiest in most homes because people just don’t look at them and don’t notice how much dust they gather,” he says. Dust can accumulate, reducing airflow and making the fan less effective at removing moisture, which can lead to mold and mildew, Russum says.
- How to clean it: With the power turned off, remove the cover of the fan. Vacuum the dust and wipe the blades with a damp cloth. (Clean all HVAC registers and vent covers in your home this way, too, Russum says.)
- How often: Every three months or during spring and fall house cleaning
Showerheads
Over time, white, crusty limescale or hard water deposits can appear on the showerhead, as with the kitchen faucet. This can reduce the water pressure if the showerhead isn’t routinely cleaned.
- How to clean it: Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar. Secure the bag around the showerhead with a rubber band. Let it soak for four to six hours — or overnight for large amounts of buildup, Vieria says. After you remove the bag, scrub the showerhead gently to remove remaining residue.
- How often: Monthly
Tile Grout
“Dirt and mildew can make tile grout look yellowish or darker,” says Danny Leung, founder of Detoorp, a company with sustainable household products based in the U.K. Also, since grout is porous, it can absorb water and humidity, making it susceptible to mold.
- How to clean: Use a paste of baking soda and water, or a dedicated grout cleaner. Scrub with a brush. Rinse thoroughly. (You can also seal grout yearly to help prevent staining.)
- How often: Deep clean at least twice a year but more as needed
Sink Drains
Hair and debris can accumulate around the drain, eventually leading to clogs. Hair is a primary reason for clogs. Drain guards can be used to help catch hair or other debris before it goes down the drain.
- How to clean it: Remove anything blocking the drain. Then, pour baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar. This will create a fizzing reaction, which helps break down any grime. After a few minutes, flush the drain with hot water.
- How often: Monthly to flush out the drain; unclog drains as they occur
Medicine Cabinet
Medicine can lose its effectiveness when it’s past the expiration date, yet many medicine cabinets are filled with out-of-date medication.
- How to clean it: Review all medications in the cabinet and properly dispose of any expired medicine. ( The EPA offers tips on how to safely and properly expose of unwanted medicine.)
- How often: Every six months
Shower Curtain
A shower curtain is almost constantly exposed to water and humidity. If not routinely cleaned, it can become covered in soap scum, mold, and mildew.
- How to clean it: If the shower curtain is machine washable, just toss it in the wash with detergent. This will help remove any particles from the curtain’s surface. If it can’t be machine washed or is plastic, lay it flat and spray it with a botanical cleaner, Rubino recommends. Allow it to sit for 30 seconds before wiping it down with a microfiber towel.
- How often: Monthly
Toothbrush Holder
Toothbrush holders are the third germiest item in a home — even more so than bathroom faucet handles or light switches, according to the NSF.
- How to clean it: If it’s dishwasher safe, place the toothbrush holder in a dishwasher with detergent to run through a cleaning cycle. Otherwise, hand wash it in hot, soapy water. Rinse and wipe with a disinfecting wipe.
- How often: Weekly
Cabinets Under the Sink
The bathroom cabinet can become dirty and damp, but many people rarely take a thorough look inside, Russum says. These cabinets may become cluttered, and it’s “the reason why many homeowners often miss sink pipes leaks,” he notes. “These connections might be leaking without you noticing, and a small drip today can mean costly mold removal later — not to mention water damage to your cabinet.”
- How to clean it: Empty the cabinet completely. Wipe down the surface with a damp cloth mixed with mild dish soap. Dry completely. Check for any leaks or plumbing issues.
- How often: Monthly
Toilet Tank
While most people clean the toilet regularly, they may only think about cleaning the bowl — not the tank. But the toilet tank can collect mineral buildup and bacteria. This could affect the toilet’s flushing power and efficiency, Russum says. By cleaning the tank regularly, you could also inspect it for any black spots. “If you find any, that’s mold, and your flapper is probably faulty,” he adds.
- How to clean it: Turn off the water and flush until it is empty, Russum says. Then, scrub the inside with vinegar and baking soda, and rinse. (Don’t use bleach or any harsh chemicals, as they can damage the rubber components inside.)
- How often: Clean the tank twice a year
These cleaning tips for the kitchen and bathroom may seem like a lot of extra work, but you can easily incorporate them into your cleaning routine. A safer and fresher home will make the effort worthwhile.