When you visit someone’s home, it’s easy to get a sense of their cleaning routine—whether they clean diligently or just do a quick tidy-up. While everyone has their own method of keeping things in order, there are some telltale signs that reveal whether someone’s home is truly clean or simply maintained on the surface. Whether it’s your family members or guests you’re observing, these signs can give you an idea of how well someone has cleaned or if they missed a few spots.

1. Cluttered Corners

One of the first places to check when assessing cleanliness is the corners of the room, behind doors, and under furniture. These areas often get neglected during a quick cleaning session, making them ideal spots to observe. If you notice dust accumulating in these corners, it’s a clear indication that the cleaning wasn’t thorough. People who take the time to keep their homes in tip-top shape will clean these overlooked spots, ensuring there are no hidden piles of dust or dirt.

2. Lingering Odors

A well-maintained home should have a fresh, clean scent throughout, without the need for overpowering air fresheners or scented candles. If a house has a strong artificial fragrance, it may be an attempt to mask unpleasant odors caused by dirt, musty air, or pet smells. While air fresheners can be nice, they shouldn’t be needed to cover up a lack of cleaning. Homes that truly shine will have a natural, fresh scent with no need for overpowering fragrances.

3. Dust on Various Surfaces

Dust can accumulate quickly, especially in high-traffic areas, but it’s one of the most obvious indicators of a home’s cleanliness. If you notice dust gathering on shelves, electronics, light fixtures, or other surfaces, it’s a sign that the cleaning hasn’t been done recently or thoroughly. Regularly dusting helps prevent the buildup of particles, and if you’re visiting a home and find dust lingering, it’s a strong indication that it wasn’t properly cleaned.

4. Bathroom Cleanliness

Bathrooms are a major giveaway when it comes to cleanliness. While other parts of the house might be tidied up, the bathroom often reveals the true state of things. Look for soap scum, mildew, and mold buildup in places like shower doors and around the sink. Dust behind the toilet or on the floor is another sign that the bathroom hasn’t been cleaned properly. A well-cleaned bathroom should have gleaming fixtures and no signs of dirt or buildup in these areas.

5. Grease and Crumbs in the Kitchen

The kitchen is another place that can appear clean at first glance but may still have hidden grime. Check for grease buildup on kitchen cabinets, sticky spots on countertops, and crumbs tucked away in corners. While a quick wipe-down may make the kitchen appear neat, built-up grease and crumbs often reveal whether a space has been cleaned thoroughly. A truly clean kitchen will have no sticky residue or leftover crumbs, ensuring the space is spotless.

6. Pet Hair

For pet owners, pet hair is often one of the clearest signs of whether a home is being cleaned properly. Even if everything is neatly arranged, pet hair can stick to furniture, rugs, and carpets. If you spot pet hair scattered around, it likely means the home isn’t being cleaned thoroughly or regularly. The smell in a pet-friendly home also plays a role—if litter boxes aren’t cleaned regularly or a dog hasn’t been bathed in a while, odors can linger, signaling a need for deeper cleaning.

7. Dirty Windows and Mirrors

Windows and mirrors are key areas that often get overlooked during cleaning, but they’re hard to miss. Fingerprints, smudges, and streaks on windows or mirrors are clear signs that these areas haven’t been properly cleaned. A well-maintained home will feature windows and mirrors that are free of marks, providing a crystal-clear view.

8. Neglected Baseboards

Baseboards are often ignored during a quick cleaning session, and they can be one of the easiest places to spot missed dirt. Even if carpets have been vacuumed and rooms look tidy, dirt and dust tend to accumulate on baseboards, which can make the whole room appear less clean. For homes with tile or hardwood floors, grout and sticky spots can also be dead giveaways that cleaning wasn’t as thorough as it should have been. Pay attention to these small details as they can reveal the true extent of cleanliness in a space.

In conclusion, there are plenty of subtle signs that indicate whether someone has truly cleaned their home or simply tidied up. From neglected corners to greasy kitchen surfaces and unclean bathrooms, these clues can provide insight into how thorough the cleaning really was. Next time you visit someone’s place, take note of these signs and you’ll have a clearer idea of their cleaning habits.