9 Things You’re Probably Cleaning Way Too Often (or Not Enough)

Some stuff around the house gets scrubbed daily without a second thought. Other things? You might not remember the last time you touched them. The problem is, some of that cleaning is overkill—and some areas you’re probably skipping are the ones that really need the attention.

Either way, a few adjustments to your routine can save you time and help keep germs, odors, and wear-and-tear in check. Here’s what tends to get either too much love or not nearly enough.

Your Washing Machine

You might assume your washing machine stays clean because it handles soap and water all day, but buildup happens fast—especially in high-efficiency models. If you’re not giving it a deep clean every month or so, you’ll start noticing musty smells or gunk around the rubber seal.

On the flip side, some people wipe down their washer after every load like it’s a toddler’s high chair. That’s overkill. A regular deep clean and leaving the door open to air out will go a lot further than constant wiping.

Doorknobs and Light Switches

These high-touch areas are often forgotten until flu season—or they’re obsessively wiped down every day like they’re biohazards. You don’t need to go overboard unless someone in the house is sick. But skipping them entirely can mean bacteria builds up fast.

Give them a quick disinfecting wipe once a week, and more often during illness. It’s a small task that actually makes a difference, but there’s no need to be scrubbing them multiple times a day.

Your Oven

Most ovens don’t need constant scrubbing. If you’re running the self-cleaning cycle every month or scrubbing it top to bottom weekly, you’re putting extra wear on the appliance.

Unless there’s a spill or strong odor, you can get away with a full clean every three to six months. Wipe up obvious messes when they happen, but save the deep scrubbing for when it’s actually needed.

Shower Curtains and Liners

These often get overlooked until they start looking rough—or they get thrown in the wash every few days “just in case.” Neither extreme is great. Mildew and soap scum build up over time, but constant washing can wear out the fabric or damage plastic liners.

You’re better off washing them once a month with a little vinegar or baking soda in the cycle. That keeps them fresh without wrecking them. And always make sure they dry fully between showers to cut down on mold.

Baseboards

Some folks dust their baseboards like clockwork. Others forget they exist until spring cleaning rolls around. The truth is, they don’t need constant attention, but they shouldn’t be ignored for months either.

A once-a-month wipe-down is enough to keep dust, hair, and grime from building up. If you have pets or allergies, you might want to bump that up. But unless your baseboards are white-glove territory, weekly scrubbing is probably overdoing it.

Your Dishwasher

It’s easy to forget your dishwasher needs cleaning at all. It’s also easy to think you need to scrub every inch of it every week. Neither is right. Filters get clogged, and buildup from food and minerals can start to affect performance.

Once a month, run a cleaning cycle with vinegar or a dishwasher cleaner, and check the filter. No need to be wiping it down after every use unless something clearly spilled or smells off.

Pillows (Not Pillowcases)

You probably change your pillowcases often, but the pillows themselves? Either you’re throwing them in the wash every couple of weeks or haven’t washed them in years. Both are a problem.

You only need to wash pillows every three to four months to keep dust mites and allergens under control. Any more than that, and you risk clumping or damaging the fill. Always follow the tag instructions—and make sure they dry all the way through.

Refrigerator Shelves

You don’t need to pull out every shelf and drawer every week unless there’s been a spill. That kind of scrubbing can feel productive, but it’s often unnecessary and time-consuming.

Wipe up messes as they happen, and do a full fridge clean-out once a month. That keeps it sanitary without burning out your motivation—or letting mystery goo grow behind the milk.

Mattress

It’s one of those things you know you should clean, but it often falls way down the to-do list. Or maybe you’re vacuuming it every weekend and wondering why it’s still dusty. The truth is, a deep clean every six months is usually enough.

Vacuuming the surface every couple of months and rotating or flipping the mattress helps keep it in good shape. Over-cleaning doesn’t add much, but forgetting about it completely can shorten its lifespan and aggravate allergies.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.