Cleaning your house can be a straightforward job, but it’s easy to fall into common mistakes that not only waste your effort and time but can also result in sub-par outcome. Whether you’re cleaning the kitchen or the bathroom, avoiding common household cleaning mistakes will make a huge difference. By learning the most frequent cleaning mistakes, you can make your routine better and maintain a cleaner house for a longer period. Here in this guide, we will identify 10 frequent household cleaning mistakes and offer easy solutions to make it right each time.
1. Using the Wrong Cleaning Products
The wrong cleaning chemicals can sometimes do more damage than good. Certain cleaners are too aggressive for some surfaces, and others are not strong enough to effectively clean the area. For instance, using vinegar or acidic cleaners on marble or granite countertops can hurt them over time. Conversely, some disinfectants are not strong enough for high-traffic areas where a stronger cleaner is needed.
Solution: Always check the label of your cleaning products before use to ensure they are suitable for the surface you’re cleaning. It’s also a good idea to choose products that are multipurpose yet safe for all types of surfaces in your home.
2. Skipping the Dusting Step
Dusting may seem like an unnecessary step, especially if you’re eager to mop or vacuum. However, skipping dusting and jumping straight to cleaning floors or countertops can be counterproductive. Dusting before other cleaning tasks prevents dust from settling back on freshly cleaned surfaces.
Solution: Remember to dust shelves, furniture, and light fixtures before vacuuming or mopping. That way, you will have prevented the dust from ending up on your freshly cleaned floors.
3. Overloading the Washing Machine
When you’re in a rush to get through the laundry, it’s easy to overload the washing machine. However, cramming too many clothes into a single load can cause damage to your clothing and your washing machine. Clothes need space to move freely in the washer, and overloading can lead to ineffective cleaning and potential wear and tear.
Solution: Don’t overload the washing machine with too many clothes, leaving sufficient space for them to tumble around. A balanced load will wash more efficiently and save you time by lowering the number of re-washes.
4. Directly Spraying Cleaner on Surfaces
It may sound like a great idea to spray your cleaner right onto surfaces, but it can result in overspray, particularly on floors or walls, and waste the cleaner. Spraying a surface also sometimes results in streaking or leaves behind a residue that dusts.
Solution: Rather than spraying cleaner onto surfaces directly, spray your sponge or cloth first. This provides you with more control over the volume of cleaner and prevents over-spray.
5. Using Dirty Cleaning Tools
Cleaning equipment such as mops, sponges, and brushes are crucial to maintaining a clean home, but they become germ-spreading and dirt carriers if not cleaned on a regular basis. A dirty mop or sponge can deposit grime back onto your surfaces, negating your efforts.
Solution: Always sanitize your cleaning equipment after every use. Scrub sponges and mop heads with soap under running water and dry them properly. Replace cleaning equipment when they start to wear out.
6. Not Letting Disinfectants Sit
Most disinfectants take a few minutes to kill germs and bacteria effectively. Wiping them off before this time is up can lessen their potency, leaving behind harmful microorganisms.
Solution: Follow the instructions on the disinfectant label. Generally, you’ll need to let the product sit on surfaces for a few minutes before wiping it off. This gives it time to work and ensures a more thorough clean.
7. Cleaning in a Circular Motion
When cleaning, we tend to use a circular motion. But this can be less efficient at removing dirt, particularly on surfaces that require a little more scrubbing. Circular motions are prone to pushing dirt around instead of lifting it, leaving streaks behind.
Solution: Clean using an “S” motion. This action is better at lifting dirt away, giving you a cleaner surface without the streaks behind.
8. Excessive Use of Cleaning Products
At times, we feel that by applying more cleaning product, our house will be cleaner. Excessive use of cleaning products may result in a residue buildup on surfaces. Not only does the residue attract dirt, but it can also damage over time, particularly on sensitive materials such as wood or glass.
Solution: Use the product as directed on the packaging, with the amount recommended. Generally, a small amount will do, and overusing the product may be counterproductive.
9. Forgetting about High-Touch Areas
Heavy-traffic zones such as light switches, doorknobs, and remote controls tend to be neglected when cleaning sessions are done. These are germ and bacteria hotspots, particularly at times of cold and flu season, and it is important to accord them the attention that they need.
Solution: Be sure to disinfect high-touch surfaces on your home regularly, such as light switches, door handles, and electronics. Adding this to your cleaning process will minimize germs’ spread and make your home healthier.
10. Disregarding the Top-to-Bottom Cleaning Rule
One of the most essential cleaning techniques is to clean from top to bottom. This involves beginning with upper surfaces, like countertops and shelves, and progressing to lower surfaces, like floors. Cleaning floors before other surfaces will cause dirt and dust on upper surfaces to drop and make your cleaned floors dirty.
Solution: Always clean top to bottom. This way, dirt and dust will fall on areas you have not yet cleaned, and you won’t need to re-clean surfaces.
Conclusion
By not making these frequent household cleaning errors, you’ll be more efficient at cleaning, have a healthier home, and save time. Good cleaning practices like using the correct products, dusting prior to cleaning floors, and using the top-to-bottom rule of cleaning will result in a cleaner and healthier space for you and your household.
If you need professional cleaning services within Hemel Hempstead or the South East of England, contact Tiger Cleaning. We have experienced cleaners who can assist with office cleaning, hotel cleaning, commercial cleaning, and many more. Leave the cleaning to us while you get on with what really matters!
