What Gets Overlooked
How clean is your home? Even if everything looks tidy on the surface, don't let that fool you—it could be months since you've washed your couch cushions and throw blankets. Take a look in your kitchen, and you may only notice now that you haven't swapped out your dish sponge or deep-cleaned your water bottle in who knows how long. In fact, reading through this list might just make you realize your home is actually pretty filthy...
1. Bed Pillows
Sure, your pillowcases regularly get the suds, but your pillows? It's gross to think about, but over time, they can accumulate body oils, sweat, dust, and other debris, too. Just because you've washed the outer layer doesn't mean the whole thing's good to go.
2. Shower Curtains and Liners
Your shower curtain spends much of its time in a warm, damp environment, so leaving it untouched for months is... probably not the way to go. Look closely, and you might even see signs of mold along the bottom, where the sheet stays wet. If you don't want to wash it, replace it entirely.
3. Bath Mats
You know what else stays wet in the bathroom? Your bath mats, given that they catch water every time you step out of the shower. That repeated moisture, combined with lint, hair, and whatever gets tracked across the bathroom floor, means you have a pretty filthy rug on your hands. Depending on how many people use the bathroom, your mat may need laundering every week or two.
4. Reusable Bags
Remember that time your strawberries seeped out red juice? Yeah, now it's all over the bottom of your reusable bag. Not to mention all the raw produce and meat that can leave residue behind. If you're not hand-washing your tote regularly, you're probably introducing a lot of bacteria to your weekly grocery haul.
5. Throw Blankets
That blanket you keep draped over the couch probably gets considerably more use than you realize. Just think of all the time it slips onto the floor then gets folded back over the sofa! Plus, your pets might sleep on it, crumbly snacks could get trapped in it, and even then it's left unwashed for months. By the time you do toss it in the machine, it's likely accumulated a lot of things you don't want to think about.
6. Decorative Pillows
It's not just the blanket—your throw pillows could use a wash. Pristine as they might look on the surface, if they contain hard-to-wash materials, you've probably never washed them. If the pillows have removable covers, you're in luck; if they have delicate fabrics and embellishments, hand it off to a professional.
7. Oven Mitts
If you're like most people, you use your oven mitts to take out hot pans, and then you shove them back in the drawer they came from. But take a closer look—your mitts are likely covered in stains. As long as they're easily washable, though, they won't give you too much of a headache. Just make sure they're completely dry before using them again!
8. Dish-Drying Mats
What do your dish-drying mats have in common with your shower curtain? That's right: they both stay perpetually wet. Worse yet, anything that's in your kitchen is bound to pick up food particles and residue, so that gives you another reason why you should be washing them regularly.
9. Mop Heads
It probably doesn't make much sense to clean the floor with a dirty mop head. Plus, unless you're wringing it out properly each use, it's likely always a little bit wet. If you have a detachable, machine-washable one, you should give it a good scrub every once in a while. Otherwise, swap it out for a newer head.
10. Pet Bedding
Depending on how tidy your pet is, their bedding can collect buildup pretty fast. But because this tends to happen gradually, you might not notice any off odors before a visitor comments on it. Don't want to face that embarrassing situation? Do your pet a favor, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors or shed heavily.
11. Dish Sponges
Did you know your dish sponge is probably grosser than your toilet? Yep, you read that right. After all, think of all the food residue, grime, and grease it collects each wash! Rinsing it might help, but once it starts to smell or fall apart, it's better to replace it altogether.
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12. Toilets
On the topic of toilets, when was the last time you washed yours? And we don't mean just giving it a quick wipe, but a deep clean. The entire thing, from the seat to the hinges and tank, collects residue from frequent use. If several people share the same bathroom, it's probably way overdue for a cleaning.
13. Curtains
You might not be able to see the filth on your curtains, but they can gradually collect dust, pollen, and even pet hair. Washable curtains can benefit from simple periodic laundering, though any designs with delicate materials may require vacuuming or professional care instead.
14. Reusable Cleaning Cloths
It's not just your dish sponge you should be swapping out or cleaning regularly—that dish cloth sitting beside the sink deserves a good soak, too. After wiping countertops, sinks, appliances, and other surfaces, they can pick up lots of food particles, grease, and bacteria. If it looks beyond saving, it probably is.
15. Toothbrush Holders
Your toothbrush might get replaced every now and then, but the container it's sitting in often stays in the same spot for months. Take a closer look, and you'll likely find that there's an unpleasant layer of buildup. Thankfully, some models are dishwasher-safe, which means you can just toss it in.
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16. Kitchen Trash Cans
We know, we know—you don't really want to think about your garbage can and all the gross stuff it's collected, but that won't change the fact that bags can leak, food can rot, and residue may gather around the lid and rim. Got a hose? It'll give you an easier way to give it a thorough wash instead of letting it stay dirty or develop an odor.
17. Couch Covers
Sofas receive daily contact. If you've got a cover on, that might not seem as bad, but don't forget that layer still needs to be washed periodically. Remember to check the care label, though, as some fabrics may shrink or change texture in the wrong wash cycle.
18. Reusable Water Bottles
You know the thing you drink out of every day? When was the last time you washed that? If you're not giving your water bottle a weekly deep-clean, just know that bacteria is probably swirling around in your liquid. Bottles used for flavored drinks, like coffee or juice, should be given even more attention.
19. Bathtubs
Bathtubs may get rinsed every time you shower, but that doesn’t mean they’re actually getting cleaned. Like your shower curtains, soap residue and body oils can build up on the surface, especially around the drain and along the tub walls. As tedious as it is, it's best to give your tub a proper scrub about once a week.
20. Vacuum Filters and Washable Components
Your vacuum cleaner might remove dust from the house, but all that material gets trapped inside reusable filters and other washable parts. When those components become clogged, don't be surprised if your floors still look dirty. It's a reminder to regularly swap out any piece that's designed to be washed and replaced.
Dreame Vacuum Cleaner on Unsplash
