How Often Should You Really Clean These 10 Overlooked Household Items?

You vacuum the floors, wipe down the counters, and tackle the bathrooms regularly - but what about the other stuff? You know, the things that don’t scream “clean me!” but quietly collect germs, grime, and dust in the background.

Let’s shine a light on 10 overlooked household items and how often you really should be cleaning them to keep your home healthy, fresh, and guest-ready.

🛏 1. Pillows (Yes, the actual pillow - not just the case)

How often: Every 3–6 months

Even with pillowcases, sweat, oils, and dust mites seep into the pillow itself. Toss most pillows (check the label) in the washer with hot water and an extra rinse. Dry on high with dryer balls to fluff them back up.

🎮 2. TV Remotes & Game Controllers

How often: Weekly

These get touched constantly, often with snack-covered hands, and rarely cleaned. Wipe them down with disinfecting wipes once a week or more often during cold/flu season.

🧽 3. Sponges

How often: Every 1–2 weeks (or sooner)

Your kitchen sponge can be one of the dirtiest items in the house. Microwave a damp sponge for 1–2 minutes to kill bacteria - but don’t push your luck. Replace it frequently.

🌬 4. Air Vents & Registers

How often: Every 3 months

Dust builds up fast, affecting your air quality. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment or a damp cloth to wipe them down. Allergy sufferers may want to do this monthly.

🖱 5. Keyboards & Computer Mice

How often: Weekly

Crumbs, skin cells, and bacteria love your keyboard. Use compressed air to remove debris and a microfiber cloth with rubbing alcohol to sanitize all surfaces.

🔦 6. Light Switches & Door Handles

How often: Weekly

These high-touch surfaces are germ magnets. A quick wipe with a disinfecting cloth once a week is all it takes to keep them safe and sparkling.

🍽 7. Dish Racks & Utensil Holders

How often: Every 1–2 weeks

Standing water leads to mold and mildew. Wash your dish rack in hot, soapy water and run utensil holders through the dishwasher if possible.

🧺 8. Washing Machine

How often: Monthly

Yes, the machine that cleans your clothes needs cleaning too. Run a hot cycle with vinegar and baking soda or use a washing machine cleaner to remove soap scum and bacteria buildup.

🚽 9. Toilet Brush Holder

How often: Weekly

Toilet brushes get dunked in germs and then sit in wet holders - gross, right? Pour disinfectant in the holder weekly or soak it in bleach water and rinse thoroughly.

💨 10. Ceiling Fans

How often: Every 1–2 months

Dust piles up fast and gets flung around the room every time you turn it on. Use a pillowcase over each blade to trap and wipe dust clean without it falling all over the place.

🧼 The Takeaway: Out of Sight Shouldn’t Mean Out of Mind

These forgotten items might not be front and center in your cleaning routine, but keeping them fresh can improve air quality, reduce allergens, and stop the spread of germs. The best part? Most of them take just a few minutes to clean.

If it feels like too much to keep track of, that’s what we’re here for at Shinosaur!

Need help staying on top of the little things?

Shinosaur specializes in the stuff you don’t want to think about — so your home stays clean, healthy, and stress-free.