10 Things That Instantly Give Away Your Home Isn't Being Maintained

It doesn't take a full deep-clean for someone to form an impression of your home-most people will pick up on the small things within minutes of walking through the door. From subtle smells to overlooked corners, these everyday details can quietly signal whether a space is cared for or not.

According to a 2024 Talker Research survey commissioned by BISSELL, keeping on top of household cleaning isn't always easy. The poll of 2,000 Americans found nearly a quarter (24 percent) said maintaining a tidy home is harder than their full-time job. While 36 percent spend one to two hours a week cleaning and 33 percent spend three to four hours, a smaller group-5 percent-said they dedicate nine hours or more.

But where should that time be spent for the biggest impact?

Newsweek spoke to Heidi Phillips, a cleaning and organization expert and owner of Tergo specialist cleaning services, about the key signs that instantly tell guests a home isn't being properly maintained-and how to fix them.

1. Unpleasant Odors

Phillips said: “The first thing anyone will notice about your home is what it smells like when you open the front door to greet them. You either want them to notice no odor at all or to notice a pleasant odor. What you, and they, definitely don’t want is for your home to smell bad."

Bad smells can come from pets, stale cooking, bins, or even soft furnishings like carpets and curtains that hold onto odors over time.

Fix: Air your home daily by opening windows for 20–30 minutes to let fresh air circulate. Take rubbish out regularly, clean bins, and stay on top of appliances-wipe spills immediately and clean the microwave, fridge and oven on a routine schedule.

2. A Cluttered Entrance

First impressions matter-and your hallway sets the tone.

Phillips said: "Keep doorways clean and clutter free by storing shoes in a shoe cupboard, hanging all coats up and make sure you only use this area for a minimal number of items."

A tidy, simple setup trumps piles of bags and muddy boots every time.

3. Dirty Floors

Floors are one of the most heavily used parts of any home-and one of the most noticeable when neglected.

"A regular vacuum throughout your home does more than you think. It picks up dirt and dust, removes allergens from your home and makes your entire home cleaner and a lot more inviting," Phillips said.

Fix: Clean high-traffic areas daily and less-used spaces weekly. Don't forget corners, edges and regular mopping for hard floors.

4. Visible Clutter

"Nothing shouts ‘unmaintained’ more than piles of clutter does," Phillips warned.

Stacks of unopened mail, old magazines, sweet wrappers and clothes quickly make a home feel chaotic and unclean.

Fix: Get into the habit of clearing and putting things away daily-and stop holding onto items "just in case."

5. Dirty Dishes Left Out

Leaving plates and pans sitting around is an instant red flag.

"You want your kitchen to be fresh and inviting, not smelly and full of dirty, cluttered cooking items," she said.

Washing up after each meal keeps the kitchen hygienic, prevents lingering smells and avoids attracting pests.

6. Dusty Surfaces

Dust builds up quickly-and it's not just dirt.

"Dust is a mixture of skin cells, fibers from clothing, make up and toiletries…along with dirt and dust brought in from outside," Phillips explained.

Fix: Polish surfaces at least once a week and reduce build-up by removing shoes at the door. This also helps cut down allergens in the home.

7. A Dirty Draining Board

"When was the last time you lifted up your dish rack and looked at the draining board?" Phillips asked.

Sludge and residue can build up quickly, creating bacteria and unpleasant smells.

Fix: Clean and dry your draining board daily, scrub hard-to-reach areas and keep the surrounding space tidy.

8. An Untidy Bathroom

No guest wants to step into a bathroom that feels neglected.

Fix: Wipe down surfaces and walls after use to prevent mold, clean the toilet daily and keep towels fresh and dry. Organizing toiletries neatly also makes a big difference visually.

9. Smelly Drains

Bad smells coming from sinks or drains are hard to ignore.

"Don’t leave lumps of food in your kitchen sink," Phillips said. "You need your guests to enjoy their visit and to be keen to return."

Fix: Regularly clear out hair and debris and flush drains with hot water to keep them clean and odor-free.

10. Unclean Furnishings

Sofas, cushions and curtains can quietly collect dirt and smells over time.

"You don’t need to have matching curtains and candles… but what you do need… is to make sure you are washing your cushion covers and throws regularly," Phillips said.

Cleaning soft furnishings and keeping them neatly arranged helps your whole home feel fresher and more cared for.

The Bottom Line

A well-maintained home isn't about perfection-it's about staying on top of the details guests notice first. By focusing on cleanliness, organization and freshness in key areas, you can make your space feel welcoming without spending hours on constant deep cleaning.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 9:30 AM.