15 Things Buyers Always Notice Aren't Clean in Your Home

When it comes to selling a home, first impressions are everything. For buyers, a clean and well-maintained space signals care, quality, and value—key elements that can make or break a sale. In fact, certain areas of the home often act as deal-makers (or breakers) because they reflect how much attention has been given to its upkeep. As a real estate professional, helping your clients present their homes in the best light isn’t just a courtesy; it’s a proven strategy to close deals faster and at better prices.

In this article, we’ll explore 15 things buyers always notice when they aren’t clean, from the obvious spots like kitchens and bathrooms to overlooked details like light switches and vents. Share this checklist with your sellers to help them prioritize cleaning efforts, win over potential buyers, and position their home as a standout in the market. Let’s dive in!

1. Stinky kitchen trash cans.

If there's one object you might not be cleaning on the weekly, it's the trash can - and yes, people do notice. Bins - people forget to clean splatters off the outside and if the inside isn't moderately clean they stink. A regular, thorough wipe-down is one of the best ways to eliminate trash can odors.

2. Dirty toilet seats.

Less-than-sanitary-looking toilet seats are highly noticeable, and regularly cleaning the bowl isn't always enough. Don't forget to lift the seat and clean under it. Anyone who stands to pee and lifts the seat will notice if you forgot to clean there. Additionally, don't forget to clean around your toilet and the surrounding walls.

3. Crumbs on the couch.

Crumbs in/on the couch cushions are something buyers can't unsee (or, potentially worse, un-feel). Conclusion: Crumbs are a (bad) thing, especially if buyers have to sit on them. The best way to routinely clean your sofa is by vacuuming it with an upholstery attachment. 

4. Dusty ceiling fan blades.

Dusty ceiling fans are something buyers certainly see. Cleaning fan blades isn't fun, but this pillowcase trick can make the job easier. 

5. Stained walls.

Dirty walls stand out. A clean place will still look dirty if the walls are not clean. If you're not sure how to clean your walls, all you'll need is a couple of microfiber cloths and a few drops of soap. 

6. Dirty doors.

Although doors are high-traffic surfaces, it can be surprisingly easy to forget to clean them. And if you do forget, it can be glaringly obvious to potential buyers. Often, buyers gauge a home's cleanliness by its doors, including knobs, frame, and floor area behind the door.

7. Dusty corners.

The corners of the floor/wall (both upper and lower) love to accumulate hair debris - and unfortunately, this is another thing that potential buyers will likely notice.

8. Messy microwave.

If the front of the microwave has fingerprints all over it, and the state of the bottom and interior are something buyers notice when touring.

9. A grimy fridge door.

Unsurprisingly, many buyers report getting grossed out by grimy fridges. The thing they notice most is if people are not cleaning the fridge, and other buyers called out dirty handles and spills in the interior as two more top turn-offs. 

10. Dirty light switch covers and fixtures.

The devil is truly in the details. Like the lip of your light switch. People touch them all the time and sometimes you'll see them grungy at people's houses that are otherwise clean.

11. Grime on stove controls.

The state of stoves are often viewed as a barometer of cleanliness. Particularly, stove controls are a place where you can see the build-up of grime when people don't actually clean well.

12. Marks on mirrors and screens.

Big reflective surfaces like mirrors and TVs tend to show marks fast, and they're two places potential buyers are bound to lay eyes on. Dirty mirrors are hard to miss, and dusty TVs also landed on the list of things buyers notice. If you're scared about causing damage, here's the right way to clean your TV screen.

13. The bottom of your shower curtain.

The bottom of the inside shower curtain gets really grimy after a while. Someone dropping by isn't likely to notice, but potential buyers are sure to spot if it's mucky. It's a good to get into the habit of cleaning your shower curtain and liner. 

14. The top of your fridge.

For tall buyers, the top of your fridge might be on full display. It's common to see spotless homes where the top of the fridge has what looks like years of lint, pet hair, and food crumbs all stuck together.

15. Dusty vent covers.

Dirty vents are the top indicator that a house isn't really clean (just quickly tidied up).