6 Spots You Should Never Clean (It’s a Waste of Time), According to Pro Cleaners

While it’s wonderful to have a spotless home, maintaining it can be a lot of work. Regular deep cleans may be helpful in keeping your space clean, but do they really need to be done in every corner?

According to our experts, probably not. If you’re in a hurry or want to skip some steps, our experts revealed a secret about shortcuts you can take.

Meet the Experts

• The owner of Cleaning Estimate.
• She is a cleaning expert with Emily’s Maids of Dallas.

Inside Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchens are almost certainly among the most crucial areas in our homes that require regular cleaning, ideally daily. However, as cleaning expert Galia Ivanova notes, it’s also possible to over-clean, even in this room.

Some people find that simply wiping away any visible crumbs and spills is often enough

Unless you’re dealing with a spill, leak, or breakage, it’s a good idea to only clean the surfaces, not necessarily to empty out the entire cabinet for a deep clean. In fact, you can save yourself the hassle by just keeping the surfaces clean if you don’t feel like deep cleaning the cabinet every time, or at all.

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Granite and Marble Surfaces

Chances are you have granite or marble surfaces in your kitchen or bathroom, and it would be hard to blame you if you thought keeping these areas spotless was a no-brainer. But, according to cleaning expert Alessandro Gazzo, there’s an important subtlety to keep in mind: it’s easy to overdo it when cleaning these surfaces.

“Granite and marble are sensitive surfaces and if you use abrasive chemicals or scrub too aggressively, you’ll end up damaging that surface,” Gazzo says.

Clean the granite or marble surface using a mild soap solution or a cleaner formulated for stone.

Indoor Light Fixtures

It’s a good idea to regularly clean light switches because they come into frequent contact with people, but as for the light fixtures themselves, a gentle cleaning now and then, such as with a soft wipe or a vacuum, should be sufficient. This general rule applies to most areas of your home.

“I’d say any areas or things you don’t plan to touch directly aren’t as important or are a priority for cleaning,” Gazzo says.

When it comes to maintaining your lights, concentrate on keeping dust and buildup under control. You don’t need to worry about including light fixtures in your regular cleaning routine.

Outdoor Light Fixtures

Giving your exterior entryway a quick sweep should be a part of your cleaning routine, but Ivanova notes that it’s easy to overdo it, especially when it comes to outdoor light fixtures.

Similar to your indoor lights, their outdoor counterparts may also accumulate dust and debris. According to Ivanova, you should instead consider skipping regular cleaning and refrain from using harsh chemicals.

“A simple wipe with a damp cloth every couple of months will keep them looking good without the hassle of doing deep cleans very often,” she says.

Baseboards and Wall Trim

It’s highly recommended to clean your baseboards and wall trim regularly to remove dust, but trying to keep them completely spotless can be excessive. Unfortunately, this often leads some people to use aggressive scrubbing or harsh chemicals, which aren’t really necessary.

Over-cleaning can cause the paint or finish to break down, making them look worse over time,” Ivanova says. “Additionally, repeatedly moving furniture to access the baseboards can result in scratches or dents.

Closet Doors

A common problem with closet doors is the smudges that appear, especially when they’re made of glass or have a very shiny finish. However, even for the most easily smudged doors, it’s likely not necessary to clean the entire outside surface every week.

Ivanova says a simple wipe is usually enough to remove fingerprints and smudges.

If you discover a buildup of marks or scratches, a more thorough cleaning may be necessary. Otherwise, focus your cleaning efforts on the specific areas that need attention, checking and cleaning as necessary.

The Spruce