How Clean Are YOU? Test Yourself Against These 11 Cleaning Hotspots

How Clean Are YOU? Test Yourself Against These 11 Cleaning Hotspots

It's time to find out just how clean you really are. Today we're giving you a 'test' of sorts - we've picked out 11 hot-spots that only the cleanest of cleaners keep spotless. 

Do you? Time to find out! Use your eyes and hands to check your house against the following criteria.

Check these hot-spots with your hands

Are you dusting thoroughly? When we clean, it's easy to concentrate on the surfaces at eye-level and forgot those above.

1. Photo frames & mirrors

vintage mirror plant
Are you cleaning up-above too?

Is this you? Wipe your fingertips over the tops of photo frames, mirrors and door frames to find out.

If you find dust, you're probably forgetting to clean lots of other high-up places too. Make a mental note to pay more attention in the future.

2. Bannister

Think the bannister doesn't get dirty? You may be surprised. 

Wipe a hand over your stair rail and you may get a shock. Is it sticky or tacky to the touch? Clammy or dirty hands - kids, we're looking at you - will soon leave a build up on your bannister, which can be surprisingly germy!

As the bannister is somewhere most of us touch regularly - on the way to the kitchen, for example - it's really important to keep it clean.

Use a general cleaner and cloth each week to keep it free of grime.

3. Sink & shower

cleaning hotspots bathroom
Are you REALLY clean?

Your sink and shower may look clean, but your hands are the real judge.

Wipe your hand over shower tiles and around the sink basin - is the surface smooth, or grimy? Hard-water and products can build up easily and form a layer over your sink and shower.

Use the rough side of a sponge, washing up liquid and plenty of elbow grease to remove scum. If you live in an area with particularly hard water, spray with a limescale remover first and leave for 5 mins before scrubbing.

4. Light bulbs

Similarly to photo frames and mirrors, light bulbs are another hot spot that often gets neglected during the weekly clean.

Just because they're predominantly covered in a shade, it doesn't mean dust can't get in. Turn the lights off at the switch and swipe your fingertips over the bulb.

Dust? Looks like you're not as thorough as you thought! You can use a dryer sheet to get them clean. Take a look at these dryer sheet alternatives next.

5. Are you forgetting to clean buttons and knobs?

oven buttons cleaning
When was the last time you cleaned yours?

Light switches; oven knobs; tv controls - are you skipping smaller surfaces in your cleaning routine?

They may be small, but they come into contact with hands more than most other things. If they're sticky, bumpy or grimy to the touch, you're not cleaning them enough.

A wipe with multi-purpose cleaning spray is all it takes to keep them dirt-free.

Check these hot-spots with your eyes

6. Food stains & splashes

Time to head to the kitchen. Looks pretty clean, right? Kneel down and look a little closer.

Whilst most of us clean the tops of cabinets, the fronts rarely get a look in. Although you'd presume they'd stay pretty clean, a surprising amount of food and drink can end up splattering onto cabinets and cupboards.

If you see stains, you should schedule in a deep clean, making sure to wipe each and every cabinet down thoroughly with a cloth dampened in hot, soapy water.

7. Cobwebs

Cobwebs have this habit of making even the most spotless home look uncared for. It's totally unfair, but that's just the way it is!

Are there any cobwebs lurking around your home? Check the ceilings, corners of the room and around windows too. Going around your home with a feather duster and removing them takes just minutes, but will make such a difference to the overall appearance of your home.

8. Is your grout clean?

cleaning kit
A bit of bleach is all you need.

Whether it be between your floor tiles or shower tiles, all grout gets dirty over time. It's a slow process, so you may not notice the discolouration happening, and have probably grown used to grey-ish grout.

However, this isn't what it's meant to look like! Remember, once upon a time, your grout was pearly white, and it can be again.

9. Don't forget the bins

Bins can be pretty icky places. Sticky hands, food spillages and those unfortunate split bin bags can result in some unpleasant situations, which many of us put off dealing with!

Sound like you? Take a look at your bin and take note of any food stains. You'll be surprised where these can end up - there might even be marks on the floor.

Dirty bins are not only unhygienic but look pretty grimy too. You should disinfect yours weekly to keep it tip-top.

10. Are you cleaning your toilet thoroughly

There's toilet cleaning, and then there's toilet cleaning - which are you doing?

The cleanest of people get every inch of the toilet spotless, including around the metal toilet seat hinges and all around the pedestal too.

Go take a look at your toilet - a real look. Is it clean, everywhere, or have you just skimmed the surface?

Take proper care of your loo, and find out if you can flush hair down the toilet in our other article. 

11. Windows

clean single paned windows
It makes SUCH a difference!

Similarly to cobwebs, dirty windows have the ability to make even the cleanest home look in need of TLC.

Rain spots and debris on the outside panes and dust and grime on the inside will block light, and distract from the clean surfaces within your house.

If you want a house that looks as clean as it is, make the windows a priority.

So, how clean are you? Let us know how you got on with out hot spots in the comments below.

Stephanie C

Editor

Lover of all things fashion & foodie...I look to satisfy my tastes without obliterating my budget. Wannabe interior designer, I'm an avid cushion cover maker and charity shop hunter.

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  1. Author Paul muir on June 15, 2018 at 9:16 am

    I clean the majority of these things around the home with the exception of the lightbulbs i even go around once a year steam cleaning and mopping everything thing in sight and out of sight

    1. Author Joanne A on August 16, 2018 at 4:55 pm

      Hey Paul, that's great to hear. You're a champ!

    Reply
  2. Author Lesley Reeves on June 15, 2018 at 10:28 am

    Whoops, where are Kim & Aggie when you need them?! Not as clean as could be, need to wear my specs when cleaning so I can actually see all the stains and muck. I do clean the bannister and the photo frames I can reach but could do with a clutter fairy as just too much stuff in my house which makes anywhere look untidy even if it is spotless.

    1. Author Joanne A on July 24, 2018 at 5:31 pm

      We know the feeling, Lesley. Whatever cleaning you can do is a step in the right direction!

    Reply
  3. Author Wendy on June 15, 2018 at 1:29 pm

    Well, I can truthfully say you did not catch me out! Think it is because I used to be a cleaner for a living and loved it so still keep my place the same. Having been in hospital my wonderful husband did his best but I am still catching up on jobs. but I really do not mind.

    1. Author Joanne A on August 16, 2018 at 4:55 pm

      Wow! That's really impressive, Wendy. You must be a fab cleaner!

    Reply
  4. Author Sue Maddison on June 15, 2018 at 4:33 pm

    Yes i do clean all of the things mentioned.

    1. Author Joanne A on July 24, 2018 at 5:05 pm

      Nice work, Sue!

    Reply
  5. Author Amanda Smith on June 15, 2018 at 6:21 pm

    About the only thing I never thought of was the light bulbs. Will put them on my to do list.

    1. Author Stephanie C on July 2, 2018 at 12:59 pm

      Hi Amanda, Great stuff - you're obviously cleaning very thoroughly! You might be surprised by how dusty your lightbulbs are. Give them a clean and they'll make your whole home look lighter.

    Reply
  6. Author Sandy on June 16, 2018 at 12:04 am

    Hi Steph - I think these cleaning hotspots are a wake-up call to us all. I try to do most of those mentioned - but it's finding time, isn't it?Sandy

    1. Author Joanne A on July 24, 2018 at 5:06 pm

      Hi Sandy! It IS a matter of finding the time - but it's so satisfying when you know you've deep cleaned every nook and cranny!

    Reply
  7. Author Christina Livesey on June 18, 2018 at 3:04 pm

    I didn't do too badly. While I don't do kitchen cabinet fronts every week, I do check them (and the baseboards) after cleaning the floor. When I find anything, I do all the surfaces at once. My husband regularly cleans the counter tops, and I do the oven, hob and microwave. I clean the bathrooms and also use Dettol Wipes for a quick clean up of sinks and toilets. I use a squeegee for wiping down to shower doors and walls (and the shower unit), washing the shower mat with the laundry, and also daily shower spray cleaner and mould remover spray. As for dusting, because I am small in stature, I use a long reach duster for picture frames, door frames and wall/ceiling lights. There are no banisters in our home, as we live in a bungalow. I try to clean/defrost the fridge-freezers (2) regularly, but do sometimes forget about the additional freezer in the garage.

    1. Author Joanne A on July 24, 2018 at 5:18 pm

      Sounds like you've got the housework under control, Christina. You've inspired us to get cleaning!

    Reply
  8. Author NANNA on June 23, 2018 at 12:43 am

    I CANT IMAGINE ANYONE NOT DOING THESE IN THEIR NORMAL ROUTINE, NOTHING NEW FOR ME TO LEARN THEN BUT DONT FORGET TOPS OF WARDROBES, TOP OF DOOR FRAMES AND DOORS, AND CURTAIN RAILS /POLES. AND LEDGES ON BACK OF TV.

    Reply
  9. Author Barbara Cummins on August 2, 2019 at 11:20 am

    I always forget the light bulbs, but seem to be okay with everything else. Have to wear my specs though so I don't miss anything. I always rinse and dry the tiles and doors immediately after showering. Only takes a couple of minutes and makes a big difference.

    1. Author Joanne A on August 2, 2019 at 12:09 pm

      Well done, Barbara!

    2. Author Christiaan pole on August 2, 2019 at 1:51 pm

      I clean the bath the sinks and the loo I vacuum regularly I clean the windows pelmets kitchen sink kitchen floor the cooker the knobs I change the bed every week I wash only with a full load dusting is ongoing

    Reply
  10. Author Miss E. J Thomas on August 2, 2019 at 6:43 pm

    Light bulbs?! ?You're joking right??? I've never cleaned a light bulb in my life.? This sounds like occd to me! ( Obsessive compulsive cleaning disorder ) to me! ? I don't do my bedroom light switch, because I don't use the main light, and I don't clean the bedroom window, because the frame is so unstable, the window might fall out! ??

    Reply
  11. Author Adele Hendry on August 2, 2019 at 9:03 pm

    I clean everything ... except...The Light Bulbs.

    1. Author Joanne A on August 5, 2019 at 10:13 am

      It's a common one to miss!

    Reply
  12. Author Yolanda on August 3, 2019 at 9:09 am

    I never thought of light bulbs before so I'll put that on my list thankyou

    1. Author Joanne A on August 5, 2019 at 10:46 am

      You're welcome, Yolanda!

    Reply
  13. Author Harmony on August 15, 2019 at 8:35 pm

    I clean everything on your list as I am germphobic, so hopefully I have passed your cleaning test. The only things I do not clean myself are the lightbulbs & outside windows. I need a window cleaner! I also need to tackle the floor tile grout in my bathroom & conservatory next, as they are looking a little grey these days. Bring out the bleach!

    1. Author Joanne A on August 19, 2019 at 11:33 am

      Sounds like you are a cleaning-machine! Thanks for getting in touch, Harmony.

    Reply
  14. Author SuePratt on August 22, 2019 at 6:03 pm

    Not bad just miss the light bulbs but I do wash the doors and frames ad the top of the headboard lol Luvs xx

    1. Author Joanne A on August 23, 2019 at 11:09 am

      Sounds good to me, Sue!

    Reply
  15. Author JANET PASS on March 24, 2020 at 9:12 pm

    Yes I do everything on the list, more so now with the threat of the virus looming

    1. Author Joanne A on March 25, 2020 at 3:06 pm

      Rightly so!

    Reply
  16. Author Jane Andrews on February 9, 2022 at 10:51 am

    Great start, but several other things missed. Sink/basin overflows. Underseal of plugs, yuck.. Mouldings on furniture. Curtain rails, curtains. Walls... They get dusty too...Wires from plugs, get tacky and dusty... I worked as an nhs domestic, believe me, the training was second to none.... I've continued to use the teachings throughout my life...

    1. Author Joanne A on September 28, 2022 at 3:46 pm

      Excellent ideas!

    Reply

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