Spoiler alert: Our homes are not as clean as we think. 

Scrolling through Reddit is enough to make an organized person wish they could KonMari the entire internet. But if you fearlessly delve into the cleaning threads of Reddit (and trust us, there are many), you will be rewarded with nuggets of house cleaning wisdom you never knew you needed. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you, sorting through endless threads, lengthy conversations, and hundreds of upvotes to find the best cleaning tips and tricks the internet has to offer. Below, we’ve gathered up seven spots Reddit users say people simply don’t clean often enough (if at all). In response, thousands of Redditors have joined the conversation, offering their best tips and tricks for cleaning these neglected areas of our homes. You’re sure to find at least a few tips you’ll want to add to your regular cleaning routine. 

RELATED: 12 Laundry Mistakes You’re Probably Making

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1The Shower Curtain

Okay, so we knew about the importance of washing our shower curtains long before Reddit told us—but a cleaning thread that has garnered nearly 32,000 upvotes and 7,500 comments reminded us that far too many homeowners neglect this important cleaning chore.

According to Reddit user Jules6146 (and we support this method), wash the shower curtain in a washing machine,along with two or three old towels using warm or cold water. The towels will help scrub the curtain clean. Then, hang the curtain back up to dry, being sure to set up a fan to keep air circulating so the curtain dries quickly. 

2The Dish Drying Rack 

Reddit user tenmob called our attention to the fact that most people’s dish drying racks are pretty gross. Some are simply covered in a buildup of calcium and minerals (i.e. those white chalky spots on your metal dish rack), while others fall victim to bacteria and mold.

One solution: Reddit users recommend investing in an over-the-sink drying rack ($16, amazon.com), which lets air circulate around the dishes so mold won’t grow. Redditor vetter81 swears by a washable drying mat. This silicone one ($15, amazon.com) can be thrown in the dishwasher any time it needs a quick clean. 

3The Walls

According to one Reddit user, Kamacalamari, who worked as a hotel housekeeper for a while, most people aren’t cleaning the walls of their home. “You don’t have to go all out, just if you see scuffs, wipe them off. Even if you’re not smoking inside or anything, so much grime builds up on walls,” Kamacalamari reminds us.

Our recommendation: Use a Magic Eraser ($15 for 12, amazon.com) to tackle scuffs and stains on painted walls, then use a dry mop to dust the wall from top to bottom. For a more thorough cleaning session, follow this advice for mopping your walls, from Debra Johnson, a Merry Maids home cleaning expert. 

4Your Mattress 

“Here’s one people NEVER do but really should: Vacuum your mattress. No, I’m not kidding,” writes Mermaidfishbitch in a comment that has collected dozens of responses.

Vacuuming your mattress helps remove the buildup of dead skin cells and dust, which could also help allergy sufferers. Then, in addition to your fitted sheet, remember to toss the mattress cover or protector below in the washing machine. 

5Your Cleaning Tools

“Clean the things you use to clean other things,” another Reddit user urges. This includes replacing your kitchen sponge often (at least once a week), cleaning your washing machine, and clearing the lint trap in your dryer. 

6Ceiling Fans

According to numerous commenters, people are simply not cleaning their ceiling fans often enough. In fact, one Redditor says that when she goes over to her friends’ houses, she fears that all of the accumulated dust will fall onto her food or drink.

Don’t want to let this hosting faux pas happen to you? Turn to a tried-and-true cleaning tip: Use a pillowcase to dust your ceiling fan. Don’t want to get out a ladder? Invest in this ceiling duster ($15, bedbathandbeyond.com) instead. 

7The Microwave 

Have you ever gone to use someone’s microwave only to discover that it’s a sauce-splattered mess? Dozens of Reddit uses can relate. Many people tend to procrastinate when it comes to tackling this cleaning chore, but it doesn’t have to be as time-consuming as you might think.

The trick is to let the power of steam loosen stuck-on splatters so you never have to scrub. Follow these steps to learn how water, white vinegar, and a few lemon slices are all you need to get your microwave sparkling clean—no elbow grease necessary. 

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