Keeping a neat and tidy house is no easy task, and you’ll inevitably overlook a few much-needed cleaning duties from time to time. Here are 8 areas you might be overlooking in your home.

Pet Accessories
When’s the last time you cleaned your furry friend’s bowls? Their favorite blanket? Their toys? Odds are, these items don’t make your regular to-do list.

The Crevices in Your Kitchen Appliances
Every kitchen appliance seems to come with its fair share of hard-to-reach places. Under burners, around and behind knobs, and the underside of handles can collect lots of dirt and grime.

Trashcans
Trashcans bear the brunt of a lot of germs and general nastiness, and sometimes leaks go undetected. That’s why it’s important to keep your trashcans clean by giving them a good wipe-down on a regular basis.

Doorknobs and Light Switches
Doorknobs and light switches are among the most frequently touched surfaces of most homes, but for some reason, they never seem to be on our radar when the cleaning supplies are out. A disinfectant wipe will easily take care of any dirt, germs, or stickiness.

Baseboards
Looking for a way to give any room an instant facelift? Cleaning the dust and dirt off baseboards will make everything noticeably brighter.

Ceiling Fans
If you don’t use your ceiling fan daily, its blades are probably harboring a thick layer of dust. A duster with an extender will do the trick, or you can look into buying a special vacuum attachment at your local hardware store.

Remote Controls
While your TV remotes may not look or feel grimy, they’re frequently used objects that are susceptible to bacteria accumulation. Here’s where a disinfectant wipe can come in handy again.

Under the Bed
Dust bunnies are notorious for gathering under furniture, and beds can collect the most due to their surface area. Whether you have hardwood floors or carpet, your vacuum hose can take care of any accumulated dust quickly and easily.

You can probably see what looks like dirt or mud on this log lap siding where it meets a metal roof. That’s actually bat guano! Guano in that quantity suggests there’s a sizeable population nearby, and that there’s probably a bat entry point or two into the home. This new homeowner will want to call their local pest pros to see about bat removal, plus prevention measures.

Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. It doesn’t pose a direct health risk, but it can cause problems for plumbing, appliances, and even skin and hair. Here are five signs that a home has hard water.

1. Soap Scum and Residue
Hard water reacts with soap to form a filmy residue, leaving soap scum on sinks, bathtubs, shower doors, and dishes. You might notice that soap and shampoo doesn’t lather as easily in the shower or sink.

2. Mineral Buildup on Fixtures and Appliances
White or chalky deposits on faucets, showerheads, and inside appliances like coffee makers, kettles, or dishwashers are a classic sign of hard water. These deposits are called limescale and can reduce appliance efficiency over time.

3. Spots on Dishes and Glassware
After washing, dishes and silverware may have cloudy spots or streaks. These are mineral deposits left behind as the water dries.

4. Dry Skin and Hair
Hard water can make skin feel dry and itchy and hair appear dull or rough. The minerals interfere with soap and shampoo, leaving a residue on your skin and hair that’s difficult to rinse off.

5. Reduced Efficiency of Water-Using Appliances
Mineral buildup can clog pipes and reduce water flow. It can also shorten the lifespan of water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers, as limescale makes them work harder and consume more energy.

If you notice more than one of these signs, it’s a good idea to test your water. Simple home test kits are available, or you can have your water professionally analyzed. Installing a water softener or descaler can help prevent or reduce these issues.