8 Surprisingly Dirty Spots Pro Cleaners Never Miss

You might think you’re great at cleaning every inch of your home, ensuring it’s spotless. But unless you’re a pro, there are probably still a few areas you miss. If you want to get your home as clean as possible, you might have to expand your typical routine and include some more unexpected spots around your home. So what are you missing? Here are eight surprising things pro cleaners never miss when cleaning a home.

High-Touch Spots

Some of the dirtiest spots in your home are also some of the most obvious (but still often overlooked). “Cleaning high-touch areas like light switches, doorknobs, and drawer and cabinet pulls is essential for keeping a home healthy,” says Robin Murphy, founder of ChirpChirp Cleaning and Maid Brigade in White Plains, New York. “These surfaces get touched constantly by everyone in the house, making them prime spots for dirt and germs, including bacteria and viruses, to spread. Regularly wiping them down and disinfecting them helps stop the spread of illnesses. Plus, over time, oils and dirt from hands can build up, making these areas look grimy if they’re not cleaned often.”

Inside Trash Cans

Of course, you change out your trash bag, but do you ever wipe down the inside of your trash can? “Even with trash bags, it’s easy for liquids or bits of food to leak through, leading to bacteria growth in the bottom of the bin,” Murphy says. “If left unchecked, this can cause bad odors and even attract pests. By taking the time to clean and disinfect the inside of these containers, germs and odors are removed, and containers are clean and hygienic.”

Gas Stove Trays

Rochelle Wilkinson, founder of Dirt Detective Cleaning, says she often cleans a secret spot found on larger gas stoves. “There is a metal tray (similar to a toaster oven tray) that can be pulled out, scrubbed, and cleaned,” she says. “This will usually have a fair amount of grease drippings.”

While this might not sound like a major problem, Wilkinson says cleaning this tray is crucial for preventing grease fires. “Many times, I have pulled this to clean it, and homeowners will say they had no idea that was even there,” she says.

Coffee Maker Overflow Tray

If you use a coffee or espresso maker, it probably has an overflow tray where you place your cup. These can get filled with more than just water, explains Wilkinson. “You can pull these out, and they are often lined with old coffee and sometimes grinds,” she says. “If you have a grinder on top, there will be a compartment to catch the old grinds, and they need to be dumped in the trash. Then rinse out that catch tray.”

Pull-Out Sink Nozzle

It might sound gross, but the pull-out sink nozzle can get quite grimy, reveals Wilkinson. “The pull-out nozzle on a kitchen sink, unlike a straight faucet drip head made of metal and a mesh screen, is often made of plastic and has 15 to 25 tiny pinhole spray heads,” she explains. “If you pull it down and turn it toward you (with the water off, of course), more than likely you’ll find a black, slimy-to-the-touch buildup.” You can use a solution of warm water, dish soap, and vinegar to get the nozzle clean.

The Kitchen Sink Drain

While you’re in the kitchen, Wilkinson advises cleaning the sink drain, especially if you have a garbage disposal. “It builds up with a slimy residue and turns your sink drain a dark brown to almost-black color,” she says. “This is from pouring coffee, spaghetti sauce, and other items down the disposal.”

She recommends cleaning it using dish soap and a sponge that’s not your regular dish sponge. Give the area a good scrub, and if it’s still discolored, she recommends using a liquid bleach cleaner and scrubbing again until the drain area returns to its original color.

Pillows

While you know to wash your pillowcases regularly, you might not realize that the pillows themselves also need to be cleaned periodically. “Wash your pillows every three months,” Wilkinson says. “Mites make pillows their home, and you don’t want that near your face, where you could become their next meal.”

Lightbulbs

Even if you think you’re a great duster, there’s a good chance you’re skipping your light bulbs. Wilkinson says, “Light bulbs hide behind lampshades, so you don’t realize how dusty they are,” she says.

However, you should proceed with caution when cleaning bulbs. “Make sure they’ve been off for at least 3 to 4 minutes so they aren’t hot and won’t pop when wiped with a slightly damp cloth,” Wilkinson adds.