5 things you can clean in 5 minutes or less – cleaning experts say they're easily overlooked and are such quick wins

As a professional cleaner, I’ve seen it all – from homes that sparkle throughout to ones that just need a little extra TLC in the places people typically forget.

When clients ask how to stay on top of housework, my answer is always the same: focus on the hidden grime. You don’t need hours – just spend five minutes cleaning these five things, and you'll feel a tangible improvement.

Among my top cleaning tips are these five neglected places that are surprisingly quick to clean, but will make a big difference to hygiene of your home.

5 things you can clean in 5 minutes or less

1. The underside of toilet seat hinges

As operations manager at Spekless Cleaning, I know that even if you wipe your toilet regularly, the area under the hinge caps is often neglected – and it shows. It’s a hidden magnet for urine spray, dust, mildew, and bacteria. Over time, this gunk builds up and causes musty smells in a bathroom that no air freshener can mask. When a bathroom still smells 'off' after a clean, this is usually where I check first.

To banish bathroom smells like this when cleaning the bathroom, flip up the hinge caps on the back of the seat – most pop up easily with a little pressure. Spray underneath with a disinfecting cleaner and scrub thoroughly with a small detailing brush or old toothbrush. Wipe away residue with a damp microfiber cloth before closing the caps again.

For this task, I use Lysol Hydrogen Peroxide Toilet Cleaner, available from Amazon – it’s bleach-free, but powerful on bathroom grime – paired with this YISHARRY LI Detail Cleaning Brush Set, also from Amazon. These tools help you reach those awkward nooks without scratching the surface, and are useful for cleaning shower tracks too.

2. The bottom of the soap dish

It’s ironic that soap dishes and dispensers, meant to keep you clean, can get so dirty. Bar soap left in standing water creates a slimy film that can harden and even stain your counter. I’ve seen dishes stuck fast to sinks with weeks of sticky buildup, making cleaning the kitchen both tricky and time-consuming.

So, to clean your soap dish in five minutes or less, remove the soap or pump, and first rinse the base with warm water. Then, sprinkle Arm and Hammer Baking Soda, available at Walmart on the gunk, before gently scrubbing with a sponge. For grip and gentle scrubbing without damage, the Scrub Daddy Sponge, available at Walmart, is my go-to.

Rinse well and dry completely before putting things back. For bar soap users, a dry sponge or soap saver pad, such as the S&T INC. Soap Holder available at Amazon, underneath can prevent future slime.

3. Refrigerator door seals

Among the dirtiest parts of your fridge, the soft rubber gaskets around your fridge door are crumb-catchers and magnets for sticky splashes. When ignored, they become gritty, prone to mold and mildew, and unhygienic – especially around the top edge, where spills often run down and hide in the folds.

This should be tackled in the same way as removing mold from the rubber seal on a washing machine. Mix warm water with a little dish soap and use a toothbrush or detail brush to clean between the ridges. Work top to bottom, then dry thoroughly to prevent future mildew.

My favorite tools are the Full Circle Detail Brush and Crevice Tool from Amazon, which get deep into the folds, and Mrs. Meyer’s Dish Soap in Lemon Verbena, available from Target – it cuts through grease without leaving harsh residue.

4. Remote controls

Handled daily and rarely cleaned, remotes gather body oils, crumbs, and dust that settle deep into the buttons. In fact, they’re often ranked as one of the dirtiest places in your living room – or even the entire house. I always tell clients: if one person is sick, clean the remotes!

To clean this high-touch surface, start by using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to go around each button, breaking down residue. Gently brush between buttons with a soft toothbrush or electronics brush, such as the top-rated set of Anti Static Brushes, available at Amazon. Finish by wiping the whole remote with an alcohol-based disinfectant wipe and let it dry.

I recommend the Pharma-C Company's Isopropyl Alcohol Wipes, available from Amazon, for this, which sanitize without harming delicate components. Don't forget about the other hidden areas of the living room we forget to clean, either, although you may need to dedicate a little more than five minutes to each.

5. Trash can lids

Even if you line your bin, the rim and underside of the lid take a hit, especially from kitchen splatters or bathroom particles. Over time, this builds up into a grimy ring that smells bad and looks worse.

Cleaning a trash can begins with spraying the lid and rim thoroughly with a disinfectant and wiping clean with a microfiber cloth. Pay attention to crevices or grooves. If your bin is lightweight plastic, take it outdoors monthly for a full wash with soap and water, to ensure you're not just masking trashcan smells, but tackling them at the source.

For disinfecting, Microban 24-Hour Sanitizing Spray, available in a two-pack from Walmart, is fantastic – it keeps working long after you clean. I pair it with Everspring Multi-Surface Microfiber Cleaning Cloths from Target, which are super absorbent and won’t leave lint behind.

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet our expert

Karina Toner

With numerous contributions in Homes & Gardens, Real Homes, The Spruce, and many more, Karina knows better than anyone about the areas in your home you probably haven't cleaned for ages.

None of these tasks take very long, but they punch far above their weight when it comes to impact. By picking one or two of these hidden grime zones each day, you can stay ahead of dirt, odor, and bacteria, without the stress of a full deep clean. It’s the small wins that add up to a cleaner, fresher home.

Next, learn the dirty things I always spot in kitchens, and how you can quickly and easily spruce them up.