Homeowners

9 Key Places in Your Home That You're Forgetting to Clean Before Showings

If you’re selling your home, chances are the floors are scrubbed, the pillows are fluffed, and the countertops are free of clutter. However, you have probably forgotten to clean a few spots you no longer notice—but buyers definitely will.

“Selling your home at top dollar means making sure you’re considering all the small details,” said Micole Chapman, a real estate agent based in Des Moines, Iowa. “A good cleaning is the cheapest and easiest way to help buyers fall in love with your home.”

To make sure buyers see your home at its very best, apply some elbow grease to these often-overlooked areas.

1. Range hoods

This kitchen workhorse collects grease, dust, and cooking residue that most of us don't notice in our daily lives. To restore it to like-new glory, remove the filter and soak it in hot, soapy water with degreasing dish soap.

Meanwhile, wipe down both the interior and exterior surfaces with a degreasing cleaner.

2. Cabinet fronts and insides

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets can collect smudges over time. Wipe down cabinet doors with a wet microfiber cloth or wood-safe cleaner to remove food splatters, fingerprints, cosmetics, or whatever else has found a home there.

Bonus points: If you have painted cabinets, touch up any chips.

Once the outsides are sparkling, tackle the interiors. Buyers often peek inside to inspect the storage space. Remove everything, wipe down the shelves, and arrange them neatly. Put any non-essential items in a storage bin until after you seal the deal.

3. Grout

Dirty grout can make even the cleanest tile floors look dingy.

A simple mixture of baking soda and vinegar can help lift stains. For tougher jobs, use a grout brush and cleaner to brighten up tiled floors, backsplashes, and showers.

If you don’t have the time (or patience) to tackle this task, many carpet cleaning companies also offer grout cleaning services.

4. Window tracks

You might have sparkling windows, but what about the window tracks? If you’ve never stopped to inspect them, you’re probably in for a surprise.

Window tracks collect the dust and dirt that passes through the screens. Spiders also like making their homes there.

Use a vacuum with a small attachment to remove loose debris, then clean with water and an old toothbrush or microfiber cloth.

5. Baseboards

Baseboards collect dust, pet hair, and scuff marks over time. However, for most of us, they’re not part of our regular cleaning routine.

Take time to wipe them down with a damp microfiber cloth and buff out scratches with a melamine sponge. If you have chips or scratches, go over them with a wood marker or touch-up paint.

6. Light fixtures and ceiling fans

Most homeowners reserve up-high spots for spring cleaning. But these are another place buyers’ eyes will go when evaluating your home.

Give light fixtures a good once-over, paying special attention to clear glass that shows dust more than opaque.

Clean fans by placing an old pillowcase over the blades, then pull back to collect the dust inside the case. No sneezing necessary.

7. Door frames

Door frames, especially in heavily trafficked areas, become home to fingerprints and smudges as people pass through. The tops of the door frames can also be harbingers for dust.

Use your favorite dusting product or cloth to eliminate yet another area that may cause buyers to dock points.

8. Walls

Between kids with sticky fingers and dirty pets plus big boxes full of Amazon hauls, there are plenty of things brush up against your home’s walls regularly.

Wipe away the evidence with a wall-cleaning product or a damp microfiber cloth, making sure you don’t overly saturate the drywall.

9. Closet floors

You painstakingly organized your clothes on the racks. But what about the shoes, bags, sports equipment, and other items that have found their way to the floor?

Spruce up this space by clearing everything out, giving it a good vacuum or scrub, then placing everything back in neat rows.

While adding these tasks to your pre-showing cleaning routine might seem overwhelming, the effort can pay off.

A thoroughly clean home doesn't just show better—it often sells faster and for more money because it signals to buyers that the property has been well-maintained from top to bottom.

“Buyers are only getting pickier,” said Chapman. “It’s more important than ever to make sure your house is in the best possible shape.”