I always thought your home says a lot about you. It needn’t be perfect but having your space neat and clean makes a huge impact on how you feel and how others experience your space.
I’ve been to houses where little details kept silently hinting that the owners didn’t really bother to clean. It’s not always glaringly obvious but there are subtle signs that stand out when you start to notice them. If you are wondering what these are, here are 10 simple clues.
Persistent Odors
If you walk into a home & smell something (pets, leftover food, mildew) you know that there is something missing from the cleaning. Smells absorb into carpet, furniture and curtains if you do not clean and ventilate regularly.
Even an old garbage bin that is not emptied in a long time can play into the mix. You don’t need fancy air fresheners to have a good-smelling home; just routine cleaning will do.
Dusty Surfaces
Dust on a shelf, picture frame or even the counter gets forgotten easily in busy households, but it is a sign that you don’t regularly clean your home. When the sun hits those dusty edges, it is even more visible.
Maintaining a daily dusting routine is an easy way to immediately help a home appear taken care of.
Overflowing Trash Bins
When trash cans are always full or overflowing, it is an obvious indication that you are missing simple tasks. It not only looks untidy but also smells nasty & attracts pests.
Emptying out trash bins once a week is one little action that can go a long way in keeping your rooms clean.
Sticky or Stained Floors
Have you ever hit a sticky part of someone’s kitchen floor or noticed a stain that hasn’t changed for a long time? It is often floors that are neglected the most; especially in a busy room.
There’s more than just the look, stains can be full of germs & bacteria. This is easily avoided with regular sweeps & mopping.
Cluttered Counters & Tables
Litter, or random bits of stuff or food left on countertops & tables; it is a signal that the clean-up is not a daily thing. A little bit of clutter is fine, but when it’s overwhelming, the home will look messy.
Cleaning these surfaces also makes a room seem warmer & larger.
Grimy Bathroom Fixtures
Most of the time it is the bathroom where neglect first begins. Whether it’s soap scum on the sink, water marks on the mirror or shower scuffs, you’re not getting the job done as frequently as you should.
A clean bathroom instantly gives a feeling of home & order.
Pet Hair Everywhere
Pets are such happiness, but they’re also furry. When dog hair is clogging furniture, floors & clothes, that means vacuuming & lint-rolling aren’t happening as much. This can be controlled through pet grooming & cleaning.
Neglected Corners & Baseboards
We sometimes forget about the corners of a room but grimy, shabby corners & baseboards whisper neglect. They get neglected during short clean-ups, but over time can build up a ton of dirt.
By taking the time to think about these things, a house will come off much more new.
Stained or Crumpled Bedding
Your bed is a place of refuge, but if the sheets are dirty or haven’t been changed in a while, that could be indicative of a deeper cleaning problem.
Fresh bedding doesn’t just feel great; it also helps to keep your house cleaner & more hygienic.
Dirty Light Switches & Door Handles
They are high touch areas and they often get left behind when cleaning. Over time, they will pick up dirt & fingerprints and turn shabby. It is simple to wipe them down once in a while to maintain a clean home.
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