12 Things in Your Home You’re Probably Not Cleaning Often Enough

Light switches, remote controls, washing machine seals and extractor fans are some of the places that get forgotten. I’m Rena, a self-employed cleaner in Leicester, and I’ve been cleaning homes since 2011. A house can look clean on the surface while dirt, grease and dust build up in places nobody thinks to check.

Here are 12 things worth adding to your routine, how often they generally need attention and how to clean them safely.

Every week

1. Light switches

Everyone in the house uses them, often without washing their hands first.

• Use a slightly damp microfibre cloth.
• Add a little mild washing-up liquid if needed.
• Wipe around the edges where fingerprints collect.
• Dry with a clean cloth.

Never spray cleaning products directly onto electrical switches.

2. Door handles

Bathroom handles, kitchen doors and the front door get touched constantly. Wipe them with a suitable cleaner and a soft cloth. If someone in the house has been unwell, clean them more often. Check that your product suits the handle’s finish.

3. Remote controls

Remote controls collect fingerprints, skin oils, crumbs and dust between the buttons.

1. Remove the batteries if possible.
2. Wipe with a lightly dampened cloth.
3. Clean carefully around the buttons.
4. Let it dry completely before using it again.

Keep liquid out of the inside of the remote.

Every month

4. Coffee machine

Coffee machines collect coffee oils, residue and mineral deposits. Wash the removable parts as the manufacturer says and descale when recommended. Leicester has hard water, so limescale is something many local homes need to watch. Don’t wait until your coffee tastes strange before you check the machine.

5. Dishwasher filter

A dishwasher cleans your plates, but it doesn’t clean itself completely. Food and grease collect around the filter, which can cause smells and poor washing results.

1. Remove the filter as the manufacturer’s instructions say.
2. Rinse off food particles.
3. Use warm water and a soft brush if needed.
4. Refit the filter properly.

6. Washing machine

Detergent residue and moisture build up inside, mostly around the rubber door seal, the detergent drawer and the drum.

• Wipe the rubber seal and remove any trapped debris.
• Clean the detergent drawer when residue appears.
• Run the maintenance cycle in your manual.
• Check the pump filter as the manual says.
• Leave the door and drawer slightly open after washing, when it’s safe to do so.

Never mix bleach with vinegar or other cleaning chemicals. If it starts to smell, check the seal, drawer and filter before adding more products.

7. Shower head

If you live in Leicester, you’ll know limescale. White deposits build up around the nozzles and slow the water flow. How often you need to clean it depends on your water and how much you use the shower. Use a descaler that suits your shower head’s material, and avoid acidic cleaners on natural stone or delicate finishes.

8. Cooker hood filter

Every time you cook, grease and particles collect on the filter. Over time it gets sticky and clogged.

• Check whether your filter is washable.
• Remove it as the manufacturer says.
• Wash a metal grease filter using the recommended method.
• Let it dry fully before refitting.
• Replace disposable filters when needed.

If you fry food often, clean it more often. Don’t forget the outside and underside of the hood too. Grease builds up there even when the rest of the kitchen looks spotless.

9. Bath mats

Bath mats soak up water from wet feet and stay damp, especially in bathrooms without good ventilation. Wash washable mats every week or two, or sooner if they’re heavily used or stay wet. Follow the care label, let them dry properly, and replace them if the backing starts to break down.

Every 3 to 12 months

10. Fridge coils (every 6 to 12 months, if you can reach them)

Not every fridge has exposed coils. Where they are reachable, dust builds up around them and can make the fridge work harder. Check your manual first. Then unplug the fridge and use the recommended brush or vacuum attachment. Never remove sealed panels or try electrical repairs yourself.

11. Tumble dryer vent

Lint can affect how well the dryer works and creates a fire risk. Clean the lint filter after every load. Check the accessible vents and ducts regularly, and get them properly cleaned when needed. Condenser and heat-pump dryers have different needs, so follow your manual.

12. Bed pillows

Pillows collect sweat, skin oils and dust. Wash pillowcases weekly and use washable pillow protectors. Check the care label before washing the pillow itself, as some can go in the machine and others need specialist care. Make sure they dry fully before you use them again. If a pillow is flat, damaged or no longer supportive, it’s time to replace it.

Quick checklist

These are general guidelines. Homes with children, pets, heavy use or particular hygiene needs may need more frequent cleaning.

Why regular cleaning isn’t always enough

I visit homes where people already keep on top of things. The floors are hoovered, the kitchen looks clean and the bathroom gets wiped. But when I start a deep clean, I often find grease above the kitchen cupboards, dust behind furniture or limescale around the fittings. That’s normal, because most people don’t have time to clean every corner every week.

Regular cleaning keeps a home looking good. Deep cleaning deals with the areas that everyday cleaning doesn’t reach. Neither replaces the other.

My advice after years of cleaning homes

You don’t need to spend every weekend cleaning. Keep up with your regular jobs and pick a few forgotten areas each week. One week do the light switches and door handles. Another week check your appliance filters. Small jobs are much easier than letting dirt and grease build up for months.

And stronger chemicals don’t automatically mean better cleaning. The right product, the right method and a bit of patience usually do more.