Stop Making These 10 Cleaning Mistakes! You’re Only Spreading More Dirt
Are you constantly cleaning your home and yet it never feels or looks clean? We all want our homes to be clean and fresh but sometimes our cleaning can make more problems than it solves.
In this article we’ll show you the best ways to clean your home without falling into these common cleaning fails. Keep reading to clean better, not harder.
10 Common Cleaning Faults
Let’s look at the 10 most common cleaning faults and ways to avoid them. They include;
1. Overloading The Dishwasher
You might think that cramming every last dish into the dishwasher is more efficient. But detergent and water need room to circulate if you want everything clean.
You should arrange your dishes with space between them and don’t stack them too close together.
2. Using Dirty Cleaning Tools
If your cleaning tools are dirty, you can’t expect them to clean your home properly. All you’ll be doing is spreading more dirt around your home.
Make a habit of cleaning or replacing your sponges, cloths, mop heads and vacuum filters regularly to prevent the spreading of more dirt.
3. Using One Cloth To Clean Everything
You might think it’s more efficient to just use one cloth for the whole house, but all you’re really doing is spreading bacteria and dirt from one room to another. You should use a different cloth for each room and remember to rinse each cloth out as soon as you’re finished with it.
Some people find it helpful to colour code their cleaning cloths like;
- Green for bathroom
- Blue for kitchen
- Red for dining room
- Yellow for lounge
- And so on
4. Spraying Cleaner Directly Onto Surfaces
If you’ve developed the habit of spraying cleaner directly onto surfaces and wiping off with a cloth, it might seem like a good idea. But spraying cleaner directly onto countertops, glass or furniture can cause a build up of cleaner which leads to streaking.
By spraying the cleaner onto the cloth you are sure to give an even application and prevent any residual build up.
5. Applying Cleaners And Wiping Off Immediately
We understand, everybody is pushed for time with a million things to do whenever the weekend comes around. But applying cleaner and wiping it off straight away prevents the cleaner from working.
When using cleaners like disinfectant for example, let them sit on the surface for a few minutes before wiping them off. This ensures that germs are eradicated properly.
6. Using Too Much Cleaner
You might think that adding extra cleaning product will get areas super clean. But sadly the opposite is true, using extra cleaning product causes a sticky residue that will get dirty faster.
Always read the label and only ever use the recommended amount of cleaning product.
7. Forgetting About High Touch Areas
Any area in your home that gets a lot of traffic needs to be cleaned regularly. Areas like;
- Door Handles
- Cupboard Handles
- Light Switches
- Remote Controls
- Fridge & Freezer Handles
These areas should be wiped down daily to keep them clean and reduce the build up of germs.
8. Cleaning Windows When It’s Sunny
It’s natural to want to have clean windows especially when the sun is shining and you can see all of the dirt on the glass. But direct sunlight will cause the cleaning product to dry too fast which causes streaks to appear.
To get the best results for your effort, clean windows on cloudy days to prevent streaking.
9. Not Checking The Vacuum Filter Or Bag
This is a big one that often gets overlooked. Not only will a clogged vacuum filter or full bag prevent your vacuum from picking up dirt properly. It’s also likely to spread more dirt around the room!
You should check the filter and/or bag on your vacuum regularly to ensure you keep it running properly.
10. Scrubbing At Stains
When something gets spilled, we automatically start to scrub at it. The problem is that scrubbing can actually push stains deeper into fabrics and carpets.
Instead of scrubbing, you should gently blot at the stain using a clean cloth and always use the correct stain remover for that particular stain.
Bonus Tips
So there we have our 10 cleaning mistakes that make cleaning more difficult. Here are a few more;
11. Wearing Shoes Indoors
As you go through your daily life, your shoes pick up all manner of dirt and germs. If you don’t take them off before you enter your home, you’re tracking that dirt through your home.
This means your floors will stay just that little bit cleaner and germ free.
12. Leaving The Toilet Lid Open
If you leave the toilet lid open when you flush, you allow minute particles containing bacteria to be propelled into the air by the force of the water. Those particles will settle on surfaces close by and can cause contamination.
So, if you want your towels and toothbrushes germ free, always close the toilet lid before flushing.
13. Not Cleaning Towels Regularly
If you don’t clean your bath towels, hand towels or tea towels regularly, you allow bacteria and germs to build up. When you use these towels either to dry your skin or your dishes, you spread those germs which often means there was no point in cleaning in the first place.
Always make sure to wash towels and tea towels regularly in the hottest wash they can stand (check the care label).
14. Leaving WIndows Open
Homes always feel fresher when a few windows have been left open. But leaving them open for too long allows dust, pollen and other pollutants into your home.
This dirty, dusty debris will build up on surfaces making them look dirty all the time. Plus if anyone in the home has allergies, dust and pollen could trigger an attack.
15. Not Keeping Your Pet Clean
Let’s face it, pets can get extremely messy during walks outdoors and toilet breaks in the garden. To prevent dirt being brought into the home, you should clean your pet before they come back inside.
Pet fur and paws can get wet, smelly, dirty and even insect laden. Which means it’s vital that you clean your pet before they enter your home to prevent mess and germs.
16. Having Disorganised Drawers
Over time, stray items like pencils, pens, paper and other useful but unnecessary junk builds up in drawers. The problem is that junk drawers accumulate dirt and dust.
Once you open the drawer to find something, that dust is spread all around the room.
17. Not Cleaning Air Vents
If your home’s air vents are full of dust, it inevitably gets spread all around your home. The trouble is that it’s easy to forget about the air vents because, “out of sight out of mind” as the old saying goes.
You need to get into the habit of cleaning your air vents on a regular basis to reduce the amount of dust in your home.
18. Not Making Your Bed
If you don’t make your bed in the morning it not only looks untidy, but it allows dust to build up on the sheets. This can make the whole room a dust magnet which will constantly need to be cleaned.
The simple act of making your bed in the morning as soon as you get up will prevent this from becoming a problem.
19. Ignoring Proper Ventilation While Cleaning
When you’re deep into your cleaning routine, it’s easy to forget about airflow. But many cleaning products contain strong chemicals that can irritate your lungs or skin if used in a confined space.
It’s a good idea to crack open a window or switch on the extractor fan when using sprays or disinfectants. This helps keep the air in your home clean and fresh, especially when using products that have a strong smell or active ingredients.
20. Not Switching To Eco-Friendly Cleaning Options
It’s worth taking a minute to consider what’s in your cleaning cupboard. Some mainstream products can be quite harsh, not just on the surfaces in your home, but also on the environment. Swapping to eco-friendly alternatives can reduce your environmental impact without compromising on cleanliness.
Refillable bottles, natural cleaners like vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, and reusable cloths instead of disposable wipes are great ways to clean more sustainably.
21. Skipping Seasonal Deep Cleaning
While regular cleaning keeps your home ticking over, there are always those tasks that don’t need to be done every week but shouldn’t be forgotten altogether. Things like cleaning behind furniture, washing curtains, tackling the tops of wardrobes or giving the oven a proper scrub tend to build up over time.
Setting aside a day or two each season for a deeper clean can prevent dirt from building up and make your home feel refreshed all year.
Clean Smarter, Live Better
Keeping your home clean doesn’t have to be a time consuming or frustrating task. By avoiding these common cleaning mistakes and adopting smarter habits, you’ll find that your efforts go further, your home stays fresher for longer, and you’ll spend less time re-doing the same chores.
Remember, it’s not just about how often you clean, but how effectively you do it. A little knowledge and consistency can make all the difference, so clean smarter, not harder, and enjoy a home that truly sparkles.
SEE ALSO: Your Wall Paint Won’t Stick If You Don’t Do This First
Frequently Asked Questions
You shouldn’t clean windows on a sunny day because sunlight dries the cleaner too fast. This leads to a streaky finish.
It’s important that you clean high touch areas every day because areas like door handles, switches and remote controls collect germs fast and need to be cleaned regularly to keep them hygienic.
Yes, you do need different cleaning cloths for every room because cloths can spread dirt and bacteria. It’s better to use separate cloths for different areas.
Also, follow us on Pinterest ...
