You may say that cleaning the house isn’t exactly rocket science, but that doesn’t mean it’s foolproof. A lot of people think they’re doing a great job keeping things tidy. However, these same people often find out they’ve been making some common mistakes that make cleaning less effective. Sometimes, these mistakes can even make things harder than they should be.
The good news is that these mistakes are very easy to fix, and you don’t need all the money in the world. Just a few changes will make cleaning easier, faster, and more efficient.
Here are five of the most common cleaning mistakes and how to avoid them.
Using the Same Cloth or Sponge for Everything
For some people, this rule is obvious, but for others, it is not. Some people tend to just grab one cloth or sponge and wipe down the kitchen, the bathroom, and maybe even the floor with it.
It’s quicker than changing the cloth every time, sure. However, it’s also a great way to spread germs around the house instead of getting rid of them.
Bacteria from raw food in the kitchen, bathroom surfaces, or dirty floors stay on sponges and cloths. If you’re using the same one everywhere, you’re basically doing a bacteria swap from room to room, and the worst part is the perspective of planting some toilet bacteria on the kitchen floor or bedroom surfaces.
Use different cloths or sponges for different jobs. Ideally, they should be color-coded so it’s easy to remember which is which. For example: blue for windows, yellow for the kitchen, red for the bathroom. Also, wash cloths regularly and replace sponges often. Do not keep them until they become smelly.
Spraying Cleaner Directly on Surfaces
It seems like the obvious thing to do – grab the spray bottle, aim, and spray away. But spraying cleaning products directly onto furniture, electronics, or glass can sometimes do more harm than good.
Too much cleaner can leave streaks, attract dust, or even damage the surface (especially on wood or screens). For electronics, it can also cause moisture damage if the cleaner seeps inside.
Spray the cleaner onto a cloth first, not the surface. Then wipe things down. It gives you more control, and you’ll avoid oversaturating the area. You’ll also use less product, which saves money in the long run.
Not Letting Products Sit Long Enough
Most people spray, scrub, and wipe right away. But some cleaning products need time to actually do their job. If you wipe them off too quickly, you’re just moving dirt around and wasting product.
Disinfectants and stain removers need time to break down grime or kill bacteria. If you wipe too soon, the surface may look clean, but it’s not really sanitized.
Read the label. Seriously. Most cleaning products will tell you how long to let them sit before wiping. For example, a bathroom cleaner might need 5–10 minutes to break down soap scum properly. Let it sit while you clean something else, or play at a no deposit bonus casino Canada real money, and then come back to it.
Using the Wrong Tools for the Job
Sometimes people just grab what is nearby, or grab a product they think is similar if they don’t have exactly the product they wanted, to get a chore done. However, using the wrong tool or cleaner can damage your stuff or make your cleaning efforts much harder.
Using an abrasive scrub pad on delicate surfaces can cause scratches. Vacuuming the wrong way can scatter dust instead of picking it up. Applying the wrong cleaning liquids can damage surfaces or cloth permanently.
Invest in the right tools. Microfiber cloths are a great all-purpose choice because they trap dust and work well, whether dry or damp. Soft-bristle brushes are perfect for grout and hard-to-reach spots. Choose the right modes on the vacuum cleaner. And most importantly, never, never use the wrong cleaning liquids.
Forgetting to Clean the Tools You’re Cleaning With
Here’s something a lot of people forget: cleaning tools need cleaning too. Dirty brooms, clogged vacuum filters, and musty mop heads won’t do you any favors.
Dirty tools just spread dirt around. A vacuum with a full filter won’t suck up much. A mop that smells bad is just putting odor back on your floor. Dirty cloth will only smother the dust and dirt all over your house.
Make tool maintenance part of your cleaning routine. Rinse and dry mop heads after each use. Wash or replace vacuum filters regularly (check the manual for how often). Shake out or wipe down brooms. It doesn’t take long, and it makes your cleaning so much more effective. Also, your cleaning tools will serve you much longer.
Bonus Tip: Stop Over-Cleaning
It may sound weird, but it is possible to overdo cleaning. Constantly cleaning and scrubbing is not just tiring. Overcleaning can easily wear down furniture and surfaces, and waste supplies.
What helps is building a simple schedule for cleaning. The reality is that not everything requires deep cleaning every time you need to clean or have time for that. The best practice is to pay more attention to high-touch areas and surfaces you use all the time, and then deeper cleaning tasks can be completed weekly or monthly. It is also a good idea to be flexible and avoid overcleaning when you really don’t need it, and at the same time, jump on cleaning when it’s necessary.
Your home doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to be clean enough to be safe and comfortable.
