Although you make a habit out of cleaning your home regularly, the truth is that your home is never completely clean. Most people clean the obvious things in their homes, such as the toilets or the floors. However, they often forget about the non-obvious spots, areas and items that in time can collect impressive amounts of grime, dust and bacteria. Let's review the top items in your home that require more frequent cleaning.

1. The interior of your dishwasher

It's exposed to hot water and soap almost every day, so most homeowners don't really see the need to clean the interior of their dishwasher. Little do they know that the small bits of food, grease and soap scum get trapped inside their device. Not only does this lead to bad odours, but it will also decrease the efficiency of the dishwasher in the long run. Therefore, remember to clean this appliance with baking soda and vinegar from time to time.

2. The bed pillows

In addition to dead skin that rubs off your face while you sleep, pillows that are uncared for tend to accumulate dust mites. In fact, studies show that the weight of a bed pillow can double in just two years if not maintained properly. Fortunately, most pillows are washable. In order to avoid the aforementioned inconveniences, all you need to do is launder them twice per year. Don't forget to dry them completely to avoid mildew growth.

3. The light switches and door knobs

Because you and your loved ones touch them several times every day, the door handles and light switches are some of the dirtiest spots in your home. Considering that grime and dirt represent the key elements for environments where germs can thrive, you should start scrubbing them with a non-toxic disinfectant regularly.

4. The trashcan

Regardless of the fact that you use trash bags, traces of food and liquid will inevitably escape the container and contaminate the trashcan. Moreover, due to the design, chances are the trashcan's lid is already a favourable setting for bacteria and mildew. Properly cleaning the trashcan entails wiping the lid with disinfectant every time you take out the trash. In addition, it is advisable to clean and disinfect the container itself once per month.

5. The kitchen sink

The kitchen sink provides an ideal wet environment for bacteria and viruses to thrive. Add the fact that you might frequently leave dirty dishes over night – or until you're in the mood to wash them – and you get a perfect home for the dreaded E-coli bacteria. While it is true that you can eliminate the health hazard by using harsh chemicals occasionally, don't forget that these cleaners will damage your sink and your pipes in the long run. A better alternative would be to clean the wink basin with a disinfectant made for kitchen use.

6. The bathroom mats

Similar to the dishwasher, some people may not see the need to clean the bathroom mats regularly, especially since they're constantly rinsed with and soap. However, few realize that because they're used daily then they never have a chance to dry completely and are prone to develop mildew. To avoid this issue and maintain your health, remember to wash the bathroom mats at the hottest temperature and let them dry completely once or twice per month.

7. The dryer lint trap

If you use dryer sheets, then you already know you need to remove the lint from of the trap every once in a while. Unfortunately, this is not enough to get rid of all the lint. As of such, over time, the dryer performance will suffer. The right approach implies cleaning the dryer lint trap with a toothbrush and warm soapy water once every six months.

If you have a hectic schedule and barely have some free time to clean your house, you should consider contacting a house cleaning service to give yourself a break!