You wipe the counters, vacuum the floors, maybe even tackle the bathroom sink on a good day—but what about the spots you don’t think about? You know, the sneaky places dust bunnies and grime love to call home. Some of these areas aren’t just out of sight, they’re way out of mind.

Let’s take a little cleaning safari through the most commonly forgotten zones in your home—and figure out how often you actually need to clean them.

(And no, not everything needs a scrub-down every week. You’re welcome.)

1. Ceiling Fans

Clean every: 1-2 months

If you’re not looking up, you’re probably not noticing the dust colony that’s taken over your ceiling fan blades. But turn it on, and you’ve got an instant snowstorm—of lint and allergens.

Pro tip: A pillowcase works wonders to trap the dust without raining it down on your face. That’s some Top to Bottom Deluxe Cleaning energy right there.

2. Baseboards

Clean every: 2-3 months

Baseboards are like the eyebrows of your house—small detail, big difference. They collect scuffs, pet hair, and a mysterious line of dust you didn’t even know existed until one day, bam, it’s all you can see.

Grab a microfiber cloth, a bit of soapy water, and give ‘em a swipe during your One-time or Occasional Cleaning sessions. You’ll feel like you just redecorated.

3. Light Switches and Door Handles

Clean every: Weekly

Your hands go there every day—germs do too. These tiny surfaces are hotspots for bacteria, especially during flu season.

All it takes is a quick wipe with a disinfecting cloth to keep things fresh and finger-friendly.

4. Under the Couch (Yep, under it)

Clean every: 1-2 months

Unless you’re storing treasure (or you’ve just accepted the toy graveyard beneath), this is a goldmine for dust and lost snacks.

Slide that baby out and vacuum underneath during a deep clean. Your allergies will thank you.

5. Trash Cans (inside and out)

Clean every: 1-2 months

Just because you put trash in it doesn’t mean it has to smell like trash. Even with liners, gunk builds up in the bottom.

Rinse with hot soapy water, or spritz with vinegar and baking soda if you’re feeling fancy.

6. Fridge Coils

Clean every: 6 months

Wait, fridge what? Yeah, the coils behind or beneath your refrigerator. Dusty coils = a hardworking (and energy-guzzling) fridge.

Use a vacuum hose to suck up debris and keep your fridge chill—and your electric bill friendlier.

7. Air Vents and Registers

Clean every: 3-4 months

They push out air… and whatever’s collected inside. Cue dust clouds.

A quick vacuuming or brushing keeps your air cleaner, especially if you’re in allergy-prone St. Louis, Missouri, where pollen season can feel extra.

8. Shower Curtain Liners

Clean every: Monthly

They look clean… until you take a closer look and find a lovely layer of pink mildew.

Toss them in the washing machine with towels for friction and let them air dry.

9. Pet Beds

Clean every: 2-4 weeks

Your fur baby deserves a clean hangout. Pet beds harbor hair, bacteria, and odors you’ve probably gone nose-blind to.

Most are machine washable—just be sure to read the tag. (Your pup will love you even more.)

10. Dishwasher

Clean every: Monthly

It cleans your dishes, but who cleans it? Soap scum and food particles can build up, leaving your dishes less than sparkling.

Run an empty cycle with white vinegar and baking soda. Easy peasy.

The Takeaway: Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be a Mystery

You don’t need to scrub everything every weekend. But a little schedule magic can help you stay on top of the forgotten zones without losing your sanity.

Want the full refresh without committing to a full-time cleaning gig? It might be time for a One-time or Occasional Cleaning—especially if you’ve got guests coming, or you’re feeling that seasonal urge to purge.

So next time you search “House Cleaning near me” or “Top to Bottom Deluxe Cleaning in St. Louis, Missouri”, just know: even the dust bunnies can’t hide forever.