Your guests will forgive you if the house isn’t in catalog condition. But you know what they won’t forgive? Some frankly disgusting stuff that you might have overlooked in your haste to pretty things up.

Some of these problem areas are quick fixes, while others will take a little more planning and effort to resolve. Start addressing the ick factor now, and you’ll be wowing guests in no time.

1. Dirty bathrooms

OK, this one shouldn’t come as any kind of surprise. But just in case you didn’t already know, your unkempt bathroom is grossing people out.

After cleaning and sanitizing your sink, tub, and toilet, run a microfiber cloth along your baseboards to catch any dust that’s almost certainly collected there.

2. Water stains

Water stains on the ceiling or moldy, rotting wood around the windows are guaranteed to be gag-inducing. Fix them—and fast.

3. Your shower curtain liner

You know what we’re talking about: Nobody wants to see your discolored or mildewed liner when they step into the shower to, you know, get clean.

4. Pet hair

Nothing says “welcome to our home” like tufts of dog hair floating across your living room like tumbleweeds. An easy solution: Vacuum regularly

5. Hand towels

Would you want to dry your hands on the same damp towel everyone else in the house has been using? Spring for some disposable hand towels, and save your guests the disgust factor—and a possible trip to urgent care.

6. Carpet

Make sure the carpet is clean. It's not just a turnoff but it can also cause allergies or asthma. 

7. Fuzzy toilet seat covers

We can’t believe this is still a thing. These things are germ magnets, given their proximity to the throne. 

7. Used pillows

The guest room might seem like a good place to put your old pillows that you just can’t bring yourself to toss. But here’s a hard truth to face: If you wouldn’t sleep on those pillows, your guests shouldn’t have to, either.

8. Old sponges and loofahs

Old sponges won't instill your guests with confidence that things are clean. Toss them after a week or so of use, and hide them when guests are around.

9. Your slow-draining shower

Nobody wants to stand in 3 inches of dirty water. Hire a plumber to investigate the source of any backup, and save your guests this indelicate nightmare.

10. Sticky cabinets

Our experts tell us that sticky cabinet surfaces—typically the result of grease buildup from months and years of cooking—is a major cringe-inducer for guests.

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