Today’s episode of my moving-in series is brought to you by: the filth of other people.
Having moved into many pre-owned domiciles, I have cleaned up other peoples filth many times. There are definitely some hotspots that are always gross. If you haven’t cleaned these in a while maybe check on them.
I don’t know who this post is for.
1. Microwave Top, Bottom, and Vent
Sure, the inside of a microwave can be dirty. What is truly icky is if the microwave lives over the stove. Entering a new place I am not surprised to find a thick impenetrable layer of congealed sticky substance on the top surface, and underside of an over-stove microwave.
2. Vents
Bathroom vents, hvac vents. Just vacuum them. This one makes no sense. Same for fans.
3. Oven floor
It rivals the windshield for awkward angle so I get it. The water in the bucket was clear when I started.
4. Terlet hinge
This ones easy to ignore, but about two weeks in my toilet seat lid literally broke off so I found myself replacing the seat. Check on this one if you run out of things to clean. It’s probably gross whether you cleaned it a month ago or never.
5. Washer gasket
The amount of black sludge I removed from the crevices in my front load washer gasket would shock and appal you, so I’ll just show you some of the aftermath. it was so bad I first thought I was removing part of the gasket itself, but it was just really stubborn crud. Barf.

Honorable mentions
- Window sills and tracks. I discovered about 20 little greenish house spiders squatting in my window tracks.
- The gap between the fridge / range and the cabinets.
- Fridge drawers and shelves. I broke a shelf rail cleaning mine and it was about $30 to replace.
- Washer detergent dispenser drawer.











