The COVID-19 pandemic has, among other things, made many people acutely aware of the importance of proper cleaning and sanitization within the home. However, "out of sight, out of mind," is often the mantra that informs our cleaning habits, which means many hidden or seemingly clean areas can get neglected.

With that in mind, here are 16 spots within the home that should not escape notice the next time you're sprucing things up:

For many people, carpeted bathrooms inspire a lot of disdain, as well as a visceral feeling that something is terribly wrong. Modern-day defenders of this peculiar design choice do exist, but they appear to be vastly outnumbered.

To get to the bottom of things, it's worth exploring how carpeted bathrooms originated, their scarce charms and numerous drawbacks, and what you can do if you're stuck with one in your home.