Hoe Often Are you suppose to be cleaning that?

How often are you supposed to be cleaning that thing?

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How often are you really supposed to be washing your towels? Ever dusted behind those books? What does the top of your refrigerator look like? There are a lot of missed spots in our cleaning routines, and you might not be tackling that cleaning job as often as you should. Here are some spots in your home that you may not have touched for a while:

Your towels

You might think towels are self-cleaning because they technically touch soap and water every day—but no. Towels collect moisture, skin cells, and bacteria faster than you’d imagine, and they really should get tossed into the wash every 3–4 uses. If that number shocked you, don’t worry—you’re not alone.

The top of the fridge

If there’s one place in the kitchen almost guaranteed to be forgotten, it’s the top of the refrigerator. It’s basically a dust magnet with an invisible “please ignore me” sign on it. Give it a wipe every couple of weeks… or at least occasionally glance up there so it doesn’t feel so neglected.

Your shower curtain or liner 

The shower curtain is always around moisture, so it’s easy for mildew to make itself comfortable. Toss fabric curtains into the wash every month, and wipe or replace plastic liners regularly. Your bathroom will thank you. Your nose will too.

Reusable bags

Reusable bags are hardworking, loyal, and… often kind of gross. Between groceries, gym clothes, and occasional mystery crumbs, they need a wash every now and then. Fabric ones can usually go in the machine; plastic-based totes can be wiped down. Try to clean them every few uses so they don’t become mobile petri dishes.

Door handles and light switches

We touch them dozens of times a day but rarely think to clean them. A quick wipe with a gentle cleaner once a week will do the trick. It’s small, it’s fast, and it keeps things fresh—kind of like brushing your teeth, but for your house.