We all don’t like cleaning, so there’s often a focus on stuff you can see (or see through) – floors, windows, counters, etc. But a lot of unseen things in your home also need regular cleaning to prevent more issues down the road. See what you’re missing and learn how to really give your home a deep clean!

1. Refrigerator

Cleaning a refrigerator is a relatively easy task; all you need is a simple 50-50 mix of water and vinegar. Clean your fridge as needed, but try to do it every three months at least.

Remember to clean the refrigerator coils too. As they get covered with caked on dust, it’s harder for the refrigerator to keep things cold. It also means it’s using more energy, driving up you electric bill.

2. Inside of Dryer and Dryer Vent

Built-up dryer lint leads to more than 15,000 fires every year. Lint escapes through tiny gaps around the edges of the dryer drum and falls into the cabinet, especially when the vent cap or exhaust vent is clogged and airflow is restricted. The lint can get ignited by electric heating elements, gas burners or even a spark from the motor, and the flames then travel through the lint-lined exhaust vent. Small jobs can be cleaned by hand, but larger issues might require a dryer vent cleaner kit.

3. Oven

Built-up spills and remnants of old food and liquids inside ovens can result in smoke and smell issues. It’s crucial to clean your oven regularly and take care of big spills as they happen. Though it may be tempting, don’t use the oven’s self-cleaning feature. Not only does it release carbon monoxide into your home, the extreme heat can damage the oven itself.

Ensure you’re using the right cleaning equipment to get the job done right

4. Air Conditioner

Air conditioners need annual maintenance and cleaning — spring is the perfect time to make sure your air conditioner is in good working condition. There are a few easy-to-clean items both inside the house and out at the condenser unit. Neglecting your air conditioner can lead to much more hassle in time and money spent on repairs.

4. Dishwasher

Maybe you think your dishwasher, post dishwashing, would already be clean. But you’d be wrong. Food bits find their way into all the nooks and crannies of your dishwasher, causing bad smells and eventually, your dishes not getting clean. Either tackle it by hand, or try a dishwasher freshener to get the job done.

5. Chimney

The Chimney Safety Institute of America suggests having your chimney and fireplace inspected at least once a year. And this will help to make sure that there are no cracks, built-up creosote and the fireplace and chimney are free of debris that could become a fire hazard. This fall cleaning task will ensure your chimney and fireplace can keep you warm during the winter. A chimney cleaning kit may be a good option for small cleaning tasks.

6. Faucet Aerators

Aerators are found on almost every kitchen and bath faucet, and if in case flow slows or becomes uneven, clogs inside the aerator are usually the cause. Fortunately it’s an easy to clean and repair a clogged faucet.

7. Vinyl Siding

Although vinyl siding tends to stay fairly clean, occasionally you’ll develop harder to clean stains that need more than just a quick spray from your hose or pressure washer. Give your siding a deep clean and really make your house shine.

8. Soffit Vents

Blow out debris from your soffit vents in order to maintain good attic ventilation. It’ll save on air conditioning costs in summer and in winter it will protect your roof from condensation .

9. Window Weep Holes

Some sliding windows and vinyl replacement windows have weep holes on the exterior bottom of the frame. These holes are designed to drain away rainwater that can collect in the frame’s bottom channel. Weep holes can get plugged with bugs and debris, and if that happens, water could fill up the channel and spill over into your house.

To see if your weep system is working, simply pour a glass of water into the track or spray the outside of the window with a garden hose. In case you don’t see a steady stream of clean water exiting the weep hole, poke a wire hanger into the hole, or spray it out with compressed air, and wet it down again. If the little flapper (designed to keep out driving wind) is stuck shut, it can be removed with a putty knife and replaced.

10. Mattress

In spite of being covered with sheets and a mattress cover, your mattress still gets dirty. It’s a good idea to periodically vacuum it and spot clean any stains that may appear.

11. Door Knobs

When was the last time you cleaned your door knobs? It only takes a few minutes to k–i-ll any lingering germs— just be careful not to get any on wood doors or trim, because it could affect the finish.

12. HVAC Condensate Line

As you see water puddling around the furnace with the A/C running, you have a clogged condensate drain tube. Condensation from air conditioning coils is packed with bacteria that can form slime and clog the condensate pan drain tube.

13. Bath Fan Grill

Household dust, moisture and humidity combine to cake bathroom exhaust fans with debris. Often located on the ceiling, you may not notice it’s even dirty. Luckily, bath fan grills are easy to clean. Grab the edge of the cover and pull down. Squeeze the springs to release them from the slots and remove the cover.

14. Water Heater

Extend the life of your water heater tank and maintain your water heater’s efficiency and safety with a few minutes of basic maintenance once a year.

15. Outdoor Lights

Get in the habit of cleaning and inspecting your outdoor lights once a year, especially checking for any pest nests. The heat provided by outdoor lights makes an ideal environment for mice and other rodents.

16. Closets

Who wants to put clean clothes in a dirty closet? Once a year (or once a season) make it a point to wipe down/dust walls, trim and shelves in your closet and give it a good vacuum.