15 Things Guests Always Notice Aren’t Clean in Your Home
There’s no rule that says you have to clean before guests come over, but if you have taken the time to straighten your space prior to company arriving, you want your hard work to pay dividends. Unfortunately, even if you have a diligent weekly cleaning schedule, you might not be aware of all the dirty spots that guests might notice when they walk into your home.
In an effort to find out what grabs guests’ attention, redditor NecessarySalt1125 started a thread in r/CleaningTips titled, “When you visit someone, what are the signs that their house isn’t clean even if they’ve clearly tidied up?” They invited people to share their thoughts, and the responses revealed dozens of insidious dirt traps that stand out to guests.
1. Stinky kitchen trash cans.
If there’s one object you might not be cleaning on the weekly, it’s the trash can — and yes, people do notice. User beccyboop95 summed it up by saying, “Bins — people forget to clean splatters off the outside and if the inside isn’t moderately clean they stink.” A regular, thorough wipe-down is one of the best ways to eliminate trash can odors.
2. Dirty toilet seats.
Many people commented that less-than-sanitary-looking toilet seats are highly noticeable, and regularly cleaning the bowl isn’t always enough. Redditor Sprstition gave a good reminder, commenting, “Don’t forget to lift the seat and clean under it. Anyone who stands to pee and lifts the seat will notice if you forgot to clean there.” Additionally, don’t forget to clean around your toilet and the surrounding walls.
3. Crumbs on the couch.
For user PenelopeSchoonmaker, “Crumbs in/on the couch cushions” are something they can’t unsee (or, potentially worse, un-feel), and this sentiment was echoed by other comments. Conclusion: Crumbs are a (bad) thing, especially if guests have to sit on them. The best way to routinely clean your sofa is by vacuuming it with an upholstery attachment.
4. Dusty ceiling fan blades.
“Dusty ceiling fans” resounded through the comments as something visitors certainly see. Cleaning fan blades isn’t fun, but this pillowcase trick can make the job easier.
5. Stained walls.
For multiple users, dirty walls stand out. “A clean place will still look dirty if the walls are not clean,” observed user Next2ya. If you’re not sure how to clean your walls, all you’ll need is a couple of microfiber cloths and a few drops of soap.
6. Dirty doors.
Although doors are high-traffic surfaces, it can be surprisingly easy to forget to clean them. And if you do forget, it can be glaringly obvious to guests. Redditor Practical-Storm-8693 shared that they gauge a home’s cleanliness by its doors, and dozens of other comments supported this sentiment, including specific mentions of the knobs, frame, and floor area behind the door.
7. Dusty corners.
User DisorganizedSpaghett aptly noted that “the corners of the floor/wall love to accumulate hair debris” — and unfortunately, this is another thing that guests will likely notice. “Corners” (both upper and lower ones in a room) cropped up continuously in the comments.
8. Messy microwave.
While user Heatedpinecone said they will definitely spot if “the front of the microwave has fingerprints all over it,” other users took things a step further, listing the state of the bottom and interior as something they notice when visiting.
9. A grimy fridge door.
Unsurprisingly, many guests report getting grossed out by grimy fridges. User Woocee says the thing they notice most is if people are “not cleaning the fridge,” and other users called out dirty handles and spills in the interior as two more top turn-offs.
10. Dirty light switch covers and fixtures.
As user liilbiil stated, “The devil is truly in the details. Like the lip of your light switch.” Lots of commenters brought up light switch covers; user Moseyd11 observed, “People touch them all the time and I see them grungy at people’s houses that are otherwise clean.”
11. Grime on stove controls.
Various users mentioned the state of hosts’ stoves as a barometer of cleanliness. Sharpcj stipulated stove controls particularly as a place where “you can see the build-up of grime when people don’t actually clean well.”
12. Marks on mirrors and screens.
Big reflective surfaces like mirrors and TVs tend to show marks fast, and they’re two places guests are bound to lay eyes on. Many comments mentioned dirty mirrors being hard to miss, and dusty TVs also landed on the list of things guests notice. If you’re scared about causing damage, here’s the right way to clean your TV screen.
13. The bottom of your shower curtain.
Redditor PenelopeSchoonmaker pointed out that “the bottom of the inside shower curtain gets really grimy after a while.” Someone dropping by isn’t likely to notice, but overnight guests are sure to spot if it’s mucky. Even if you don’t have overnight visitors, it’s still good to get into the habit of cleaning your shower curtain and liner.
14. The top of your fridge.
If you’ve got tall friends, the top of your fridge might be on full display. User Ishyerboy commented, “Tall guy here — clean the top of your fridge,” adding that it’s common to see spotless homes where the top of the fridge has what looks like “years of lint, pet hair, and food crumbs all stuck together.”
15. Dusty vent covers.
Redditor Amboomernotkaren named “dirty vents” as a top indicator that a house isn’t really clean (just quickly tidied up), and various users concurred.
Further Reading
I Tried the 90/90 Rule and My Closet Is Now Fully Decluttered
We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
