Households up and down the country will be giving their kitchens a much-needed refresh as spring cleaning season gets underway. During this time, worktops are cleared, cupboards are reorganised, and appliances finally get the attention they've been putting off for months.

But according to one kitchen expert, even the most thorough cleaning can miss some of the biggest problem areas. Daniel Beadle, kitchen expert at Kitchen Warehouse UK Ltd, says: "I can usually tell within seconds how clean a kitchen really is. It's not about whether the surfaces are wiped down. It's the smaller, overlooked areas that give it away.

"People focus on the obvious. But in my experience, it's always the same hidden spots that let a kitchen down and they're usually the quickest to fix once you know what you're doing."

Cupboard handles accumulate grease over time, and this sticky layer is a key sign that it's been a while since the last deep clean. Daniel says that people typically underestimate just how quickly this grime can develop.

He advises: "What I always do is take a microfibre cloth with warm soapy water and go over every handle properly. If they're particularly greasy, I'll use a mild degreaser and let it sit for a minute before wiping."

"From experience, consistency matters. I've found if you wipe them down once a week, you never get that heavy buildup. Leave it longer, and it becomes much harder to shift."

When cleaning the hob, many people make the mistake of ignoring the surrounding areas. Instead, after cleaning this section, you should then move outward to the backsplash, sides, and even further, as grease can spread quite far.

"I always look at the base of the tap. If there's limescale or grime there, it stands out straight away," says the expert. "I use a bit of white vinegar on a cloth and wrap it around the base for a few minutes. Then wipe it clean and dry it properly."

This is perhaps one of the most neglected areas of kitchen cleaning, and it's a job that can feel like a lot of effort - although it doesn't have to be.

Daniel recommends simply filling a bowl with water and a slice of lemon and microwaving it for a couple of minutes. The steam will do most of the work, and you'll just need to give the appliance a quick wipe afterwards.

It's not just the bin itself; the area around it can be dirtier than expected. Daniel says: "I always move the bin completely and clean the floor underneath. You'd be surprised what collects there."

He also recommends wiping the bin itself: "The lid, the sides, even the back, all of it. I use antibacterial spray and give it a proper wipe. Once you start doing this regularly, the whole kitchen feels fresher."

These are touched constantly but hardly ever cleaned, and they are among the easiest to fix. All you need to do is take a slightly damp cloth with a bit of cleaner and go over switches, kettle buttons, oven dials.

Clutter is one of the biggest barriers to a clean kitchen, according to the expert. He says: "If you don't use it every day, it doesn't need to be out. The fewer items you have, the easier it is to keep things clean."