14 Hidden Places You Forgot to Spring Clean (Most People Miss #7)
You wiped the counters.
You vacuumed the floors.
You even tackled the junk drawer.
But the dirtiest things in your home might still be sitting right in front of you.
Not because you’re messy… but because most of us simply don’t think to clean them.
And I’ll be honest with you.
I’m not a huge germaphobe. I’m not the person carrying hand sanitizer everywhere or wiping down every shopping cart handle. But I do wash my hands constantly, and this past cold and flu season really got my attention.
Joe was sick for Thanksgiving, Christmas, our Christmas party, and most of January, and it felt like every time I turned around another friend was sick with something too.
Seasons like that definitely make you think more about washing your hands and keeping things clean.
But it also reminded me how many things around our homes we touch every single day and never think to clean.
The good news is it doesn’t take an entire weekend of scrubbing.
Sometimes taking just 30 minutes out of your well-deserved evening or afternoon to wipe down a few forgotten spots can make your home feel noticeably fresher.
And let’s be honest…
Every home has that one junk drawer.
You know the one, batteries, rubber bands, mystery keys, old coupons, and random things nobody remembers owning. At this point I’m convinced the junk drawer is basically an all-American household staple.
Another spot we forget?
The toilet handle.
We clean the seat.
We clean the bowl.
But the handle somehow gets ignored.
Leaving Clorox wipes in the bathroom you use most makes it easy to give it a quick wipe. Honestly, cleaning it after every “episode” might not be the worst idea.
Sometimes the easiest cleaning trick is simply keeping the supplies right where you need them.
Here are 14 hidden places people forget to clean during spring cleaning.
Hidden Spring Cleaning Checklist: 14 Places Most People Forget
The dirtiest places in our homes are often the things we touch the most but rarely clean. Adding these to your spring cleaning routine can make your home feel fresher almost instantly.
1. Light Switches
These are touched dozens of times every day but rarely wiped down. A quick disinfecting wipe removes built-up grime and germs in seconds.
2. Door Handles
Kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom handles collect fingerprints and bacteria quickly since they’re constantly used.
3. Remote Controls
Probably one of the most handled items in the house. Wipe it down and use a cotton swab or toothpick to clean between the buttons.
4. Your Purse
Your purse goes everywhere with you but rarely gets cleaned. Empty it out, toss old receipts, and wipe down the inside lining.
5. Phone Case
Phones get wiped occasionally, but cases trap oils, dirt, and germs. Remove the case and wash it with warm soapy water.
6. Under Couch Cushions
Lift those cushions and you’ll probably find crumbs, coins, dust, and maybe even a few long-lost items hiding underneath.
7. Kitchen Cabinet Handles
These get touched constantly while cooking, but grease and fingerprints slowly build up over time.
8. Top of the Refrigerator
Out of sight usually means out of mind. Dust and kitchen grease collect up there faster than you think.
9. Your Car Console
Your car can easily become a rolling junk drawer. Toss old receipts, wipe cup holders, and vacuum crumbs.
10. Makeup Bag
Makeup bags collect powder, spills, and bacteria. Spring is a great time to toss expired products and wipe the inside clean.
11. Reusable Grocery Bags
These carry everything from produce to raw meat but are rarely washed. Many cloth bags can go straight into the washing machine.
12. The Junk Drawer
Every house has one. Batteries, rubber bands, mystery cords, and things nobody remembers buying. Cleaning this out once in a while can feel surprisingly satisfying.
13. Cleaning Tools
Ironically, we often forget to clean the things we clean with. Wash mop heads, replace sponges, and rinse vacuum filters.
14. Toilet Handle
We clean the toilet seat and bowl but somehow forget the handle. Keeping wipes nearby makes this a quick five-second fix.
My Suggested Cleaning Supplies
Having the right supplies nearby makes quick cleaning so much easier. When wipes or spray are within reach, you’re much more likely to take that extra minute to clean something you might normally overlook.
Here are a few of my personal favorites, along with some other great options depending on what you prefer to use in your home.
What I Personally Use
These are a few brands I truly love and use in my own home. They feel a little luxurious, smell amazing, and honestly make everyday cleaning a little more enjoyable.
Diptyque La Droguerie Cleaning Line – Beautiful products that make even dish soap feel special. Their surface cleaners and dishwashing liquid smell incredible and look gorgeous on the counter.
The Laundress Laundry Care – My go-to for laundry. Their detergents and fabric sprays leave clothes smelling amazing and feeling extra fresh.
Aesop Home Products – Botanical scents and elegant bottles that make your kitchen or bathroom feel like a spa.
Natural & Plant-Based Options
If you prefer something a little more natural but still effective, these are great options.
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Cleaner
Method All-Purpose Cleaner
These are easy to find in most grocery stores and come in some really nice scents.
Simple DIY Natural Cleaner
Sometimes the simplest option works just as well.
Mix together:
White vinegar
Water
A few drops of lemon or tea tree oil
This works well for wiping down many surfaces around the house.
Classic Disinfecting Options
When you want something strong and reliable, these are household staples many of us keep around.
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Lysol Disinfecting Spray
Microfiber cleaning cloths
Keeping supplies in the kitchen and the main bathroom you use most makes it easy to quickly wipe down forgotten spots.
A Little Encouragement
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to mean scrubbing every corner of your house.
Sometimes it’s just taking time to clean the small everyday things we forget about.
Even if you only tackle a few of these today, your home will feel fresher—and you’ll feel good knowing those little overlooked spots finally got some attention.
“Let all things be done decently and in order.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:40
Best,
Amy
Quick Copy & Paste Spring Cleaning List
Light switches
Door handles
Remote controls
Your purse
Phone case
Under couch cushions
Kitchen cabinet handles
Top of refrigerator
Car console
Makeup bag
Reusable grocery bags
Junk drawer
Cleaning tools
Toilet handle
