Cleaning & Organizing 8 Spots Professional Cleaners Always Notice You've Missed How to make your surface-level house clean look professional. By Katie Cloyd Published on January 4, 2025 Close Photo: Evgeniia Siiankovskaia/Getty Images Despite the best intentions, many of us struggle to keep our homes as clean as we’d like them to be. The constant juggling act of modern life often leaves little time or energy for scrubbing, dusting, and organizing—cutting corners happens. But professional cleaners have an eagle eye for grime, dust bunnies, and debris in oft-forgotten nooks and crannies. We asked for a handful of seasoned pros to uncover the areas that always betray a less-than-immaculate environment. Their tips offer valuable insights into how to elevate your cleaning routine the next time you need to quickly tidy your home. Professional cleaners at Molly Maid of North Nashville, Sumner, & Wilson Counties, TNAnthony “Sully” Sullivan, TV personality and OxiClean spokesperson 6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over 01 of 08 A Cluttered Entryway Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images According to Regina Titus, a professional cleaner with Molly Maids, the first impression often sets the tone for how you perceive the cleanliness of a home. “When an entryway is cluttered, it can create the overall expectation that the rest of the home may feel that way as well,” Titus shares. For a surface-level clean (that doesn't look like it), don’t allow shoes or clutter to accumulate in the entryway. Also ensure that entryway furniture is dusted and polished for a tidy first impression. 02 of 08 Dusty Ceiling Fan Blades A fast and simple way to make a room look cleaner is to keep the ceiling fans dusted. “These are a major contributor to spreading dirt and dust,” shares Anthony “Sully” Sullivan, TV personality and OxiClean spokesperson. Sully suggests avoiding dry dusters for ceiling fans, explaining that they generally fling the dirt back into the air. “A damp microfiber cloth will do the job. Keep it simple,” says Sullivan. 03 of 08 Crowded Counters Martin Poole / Getty Images The fewer things you keep on flat surfaces like counters and tabletops, the tidier your home will appear—and tidy homes read as clean homes. (Even if you truly do move the clutter and scrub behind it, a crowded countertop will never feel as clean as a mostly empty one.) According to Stephanie Maddin, a professional cleaner for Molly Maid, finding a concealed place for as many items in your home as possible can make it feel more open and clean. How to Clean Every Type of Kitchen Countertop 04 of 08 Grimy Air Conditioner Return Vents "Dusty, dirty air return vents can be a big eye sore," says Destiny Burns of Molly Maid of her pet peeve. "I often like to clean them with my grout brush or scrub brush and then spray it with an all-purpose cleaner for a fresh scent as the air flows through the vent." If you don't have the time for a deep clean, eliminate visible dust and grime, by removing the cover and quickly rinsing with a mild cleaner and some running water. 05 of 08 Messy Floors Getty Images Dirty floors stand out immediately to professional cleaners. They’re a telltale sign that a home needs a cleaning. The good news? Clean floors stand out just as much. "Sometimes doing nothing but floors can make [your home] appear clean when nothing else has been done," shares Scott Hopkins of Molly Maid. Use a vacuum with a bare floor setting for all your hard floors, then clean with a spray intended for your floor type and a microfiber mop. For carpets, leaving visible vacuum lines is a professional cleaner’s favorite way to show that a room has recently been cleaned—even if it's all you had time for. 06 of 08 Stagnant Air or Unpleasant Smells "When you walk into a space [and] if it smells good, your brain automatically thinks that room is clean before your eyes take over,” says Gina McRae, manager of Molly Maid in Nashville, TN. On the other hand, a bad smell can make a clean house feel instantly unappealing. For quick fixes, soak a cotton ball with essential oil and “Run a slice of lemon, then add ¼ cup baking soda and 2 tablespoons of vinegar to the waste disposal to tackle musty sink odors,” suggests Sullivan. 07 of 08 Dirty Baseboards Spiderstock / Getty Images To McRae, nothing screams, “This room is clean!” quite like clean baseboards, a shiny floor, and a pretty rug. On the other hand, dirty baseboards can bring down the look and feel of an entire room, even if it’s otherwise clean. Though this is often regarded as a spring cleaning task, baseboards should really be tended to every time floors are cleaned to avoid buildup. McRae recommends a damp microfiber cloth or wood polish for wiping down dusty baseboards. How to Clean Baseboards the Right Way 08 of 08 Smudged Appliance Doors and Handles Cleaning smudges, drips, and handprints from the fridge, dishwasher, microwave, and countertop appliances can go a long way in improving the overall cleanliness of the home. Clean any visible messes from appliances using a microfiber cloth and some water, followed by a quick wipe with an all-purpose cleaner and a clean white rag. The Easiest Way to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit