11 Telltale Signs Your House Is Way Dirtier Than You Realize

When it comes to house cleaning, the amount of time we have in a day seems to be at odds with the number of chores we have to do. When you begin to notice marks and scuffs on your walls, dirt on the baseboards, dust on ceiling fans and smells in the refrigerator, these are all telltale signs of a larger issue: Your home is actually way dirtier than you think. Fortunately, Thumbtack — a home services app used by millions — makes it easy to find and hire local professionals who can tackle any deep cleaning job around the house.

Even if you think your house is clean, you probably want to take a closer look. Because if you notice any of the 11 signs below, it’s time to call in the pros to help with the dirty work.

1. The Ceiling Fan Is Coated In Grime

If you’ve avoided looking up at your ceiling fans lately — or haven’t stopped them spinning long enough to check — there may be so much dust on the blades that they appear to be covered in fuzz. With all of that dust floating through your home, you may notice yourself sneezing more or struggling with allergies more often. A house cleaning pro can take care of that dust in no time and keep you from sniffling and sneezing through the cleanup process. Not only will they take on the fans, but a local house cleaner can tackle dust throughout your entire home so you can breathe easier knowing your spaces are rid of dirt and potential allergens.

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2. Your Floors Are The Wrong Shade

Who has time to mop floors — let alone give them the scrubbing they require? If your floors seem to be a different shade or not as vibrant as they once were, it’s time you considered a deep clean. When you hire a deep cleaning pro, not only will they give your floors the attention they need, they can also hit areas you’ve likely forgotten.

A deep cleaning can also address other areas around the house that don’t get enough attention. A professional will likely clean under furniture, dust lamp shades and fixtures, sanitize garbage cans, disinfect kitchen surfaces, knobs and switches and more. But when it comes to tile flooring, the grout lines between tiles also may be in need of a deep cleaning from a grout cleaning pro. In some cases, your tile may even require grout repair if it’s cracked or if scrubbing won’t bring the grout back to its original look and color.

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3. The Oven Has Seen Its Share Of Spills

The oven is prone to some horrendous caked-on drips and spills. When the window and bottom of your oven are coated with drippings that have long since become encrusted on the surface — creating an unwanted burning smell each time you use it — you know you need help from an oven cleaning pro. Whether your cooking mishaps have been sitting for days, weeks or months, hiring an oven cleaning professional is the best way to get your oven’s surfaces clean, tidy and ready for cooking — without the burning smell. Once your oven has been professionally cleaned, you’ll be excited to start baking again.

4. Carpeting Is Becoming Smelly

If you have carpeting you know that dirt, spills and the constant contact with feet can make your carpets a bit funky over time. And if you have pets, you’re dealing with an entirely different level of mess. To keep your carpets clean and standing up to daily foot traffic, it’s recommended that you have a professional carpet cleaning service out at least once a year. Maintaining a regular carpet cleaning schedule is also beneficial for your flooring, helping to keep it in good condition longer so you won’t need to replace it as quickly.

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5. The Tub And Tile No Longer Sparkle

Cleaning the tub has to be on everyone’s list of least favorite things to do — and it’s an especially annoying task to tackle on days off. For this reason alone, it is worthwhile to hire a house cleaning pro to attack all the dirt and grime that can build up on your tub and tile surfaces. While they’re at it, a house cleaning service will hit the sink, toilet, mirrors and floors, making your bathroom sparkle and ready for your next home spa day! If mold and mildew are an ongoing problem in your bathroom or shower, you will want to consult with a mold and mildew pro to make sure it’s managed properly — for your family’s health and well-being.

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6. Your Baseboards Are Dusty And Dinged

Baseboards can add style and definition to a space, but they are also easily overlooked and can start to gather dirt on their edges. Over time, they can start to look grimy. Baseboards are just one area you can ask a deep cleaning pro to tidy for you, which will also help make your house feel refreshed. Because baseboards are in the perfect spot to get kicked and nicked, they may also need some paint touch-ups. A professional painting service can add a fresh coat of paint or touch up any damage so your molding pops and makes a stylish statement again.

7. Window Panes Are Hazy And Dirty

You can have the prettiest picture windows, but if rain, dirt and random bird droppings have left the panes covered with spots, drips and filth, those lovely outdoor views will just look sad. Doing the work yourself is challenging, making this one job better left to the window washing pros. If you have a two-story house, window washing professionals are trained to work safely and effectively so all your windows are cleaned with care — no need to put your own safety at risk climbing tall ladders. With the proper gear and experience to make your windows picture perfect, window washing pros located in your area will get the job done quickly and efficiently, upgrading your view of the world.

RELATED: How much does window cleaning cost?

8. The Walls Have Marks And Scuffs Galore

Whether or not you have children or pets, it’s quite likely your walls and doors have their share of handprints, scuffs and marks — especially near entryways. A deep cleaning pro can take care of your general cleaning needs, and they can also give walls a thorough refresh and address any dirt marks, dust webs or minor scuffs in your most-trafficked areas. If you have any damage to your walls, such as small holes or divots, you may need the help of a painting pro who can spackle and add a coat of paint to fix the damaged area, while also giving the room a much-needed restoration. Whether your job requires a deep cleaning or painting pro, once the work is complete, your home will feel revitalized.

9. The Fridge Is Sticky And Smelly

You know you’ve bought food with the intention of cooking it, but it was stuffed away in a drawer and forgotten. These situations often end badly with smells and messes that nobody wants to touch. This is when you call a local deep cleaning pro to attack the crud so your fridge is clean, organized and smelling fresh once again. As part of a deep cleaning service, you can request that your fridge gets the scrub-down and deodorizing treatment it needs. And if you struggle to keep your fridge and pantry tidy, you may be in need of a home organizing pro to assist you with planning the best use of your spaces so you don’t waste time, money and food.

10. Clutter Is Everywhere

If papers, boxes and other trash have started to infiltrate your living spaces, it’s time to sort through the clutter and part ways with any items you no longer need. If your clutter consists of large items, you may need a professional junk hauler to take it away. Items such as mattresses, old couches, unused or broken gear may be taking up space that could be better used for living. Some professional decluttering services may also help get your “stuff” under control and haul it away.

RELATED: How much does junk removal cost?

11. The Closet Is Cramped And Chaotic

When you’re searching for your favorite shoes and they’re stuck in a corner of the closet under piles of clothing, it’s time to hire a closet organizing pro. No matter the size of your closet, a local closet organizing pro can optimize the space you have so your things are not only easy to find, they are also treated with care. Getting ready in the morning will be an entirely new experience once you’ve tapped into a closet organizing pro’s expertise.

Connect With Top-Rated Professionals On Thumbtack

Finding and hiring professionals for any of your home maintenance needs is easy with Thumbtack. From house cleaning to lawn care and handyman services to HVAC maintenance, there’s a professional in your area you can trust to get the job done right. To search for a professional in your area, simply select the service you’d like, input your ZIP code and answer a few questions about your project. Thumbtack will provide a list of local professionals and their rates. You choose the pro you’d like to connect with to complete your service. You’ll also be able to compare ratings, read reviews and check their service availability for your desired dates.

Thumbtack makes it easy to find a professional for all of your home maintenance and cleaning needs — no job is too big or too small. And if you’re not sure where to get started, you can’t go wrong with a quality deep clean to have things looking spick-and-span.

Time for a deep house cleaning? Visit Thumbtack today to find a top-rated local pro!