10 Common Cleaning Mistakes You’re Probably Making and How to Avoid Them
10 Basic Cleaning Mistakes You're Probably Making, and How to Avoid Them
It's easy to make mistakes-most of us do-that either waste your time or even damage your home, even when keeping your home clean is a priority. From using cleaning products for the wrong jobs, to skipping key areas, these common cleaning missteps will assure less-than-perfect results. In this article, we will explore 10 common cleaning mistakes you might be making, with practical tips on how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Application of Improper Cleaners
The first most frequent mistake people make is using the wrong cleaning product on any particular surface. All cleaners do not work well on all types of materials; a too-strong product might scratch the finish off of a delicate surface, such as granite countertops or wood floors.
How to Avoid It:
Always read the label of any cleaning product before its application. When cleaning sensitive surfaces-like stone or wood-appropriate cleaner for the particular material should be used. For general cleaning, multi-surface cleaners, harmless to different types of surfaces, may be used. More often than not, if you are unsure about what to use, a mild soap and water solution can get the job done without any unnecessary damage.
Mistake 2: Not Letting Cleaning Solutions Sit
Spraying a cleaner on and immediately wiping it off doesn't give it time to break down dirt and grime. Many cleaning solutions take some time to act effectively.
How to Avoid It:
After spraying your cleaner, let it sit for a few minutes. Give the cleaner a chance to loosen dirt and kill bacteria. This is very important for disinfectants, as many have a dwell time-a certain amount of time that they must be left on a surface to sanitize it correctly.
Mistake 3: Scrubbing Stains Too Hard
What most people do first when facing tough stains is to scrub hard and believe it gets the mark off faster. The problem is, too much scrubbing can only lead to worsening the stain by either spreading the stain or damaging the fabric or surface.
How to Avoid It:
Blot stains; do not scrub. To blot, use a soft cloth or sponge and lightly tap at the stain, working from the outside in to avoid spreading. If the stain does not come off immediately, let a stain remover sit on it for some time before blotting lightly.
Mistake 4: Cleaning Windows on a Sunny Day
While it seems like the brightest, sunniest day would be a perfect time to clean your windows, heat from direct sunlight simply makes cleaning solutions dry too fast, creating streaks.
How Not to Do It:
Pick a cloudy day, or clean your windows early morning or in the late evening. If you want to have streak-free windows, take excess moisture away with a microfiber cloth or squeegee after cleaning.
Mistake 5: Not Cleaning High-Touch Areas
High-touch areas, such as doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls, prove to be hotbeds for germs and bacteria. When these are not cleaned properly, this will lead to diseases passing along, especially during the cold and flu season.
How to Avoid It:
Next is making a list of the high-touch areas and cleaning them on a regular schedule, whether that be daily or every couple of days. This would involve taking disinfecting wipes or sprays to those areas and really focusing on items that are touched by many people.
Mistake 6: Too Much Cleaning Product
It's easy to believe that the more cleaning product used, the cleaner something will get, but in all actuality, too much product used can lead to residue building up, causing surfaces to become sticky and more difficult to clean the next time around.
How to Avoid It
Follow the directions on the label and use only the amount recommended. Most of the time, a little does a lot, and using more than needed doesn't improve cleaning power but can leave an unwanted film.
Mistake 7: Not Cleaning Cleaning Tools
The irony is that a dirty cleaning tool will only spread the dirt and germs around instead of removing them. Unwashed sponges, mops, and vacuum filters provide a field day for the bacteria to breed in.
How to Avoid It:
Get into the habit of washing your cleaning tools after use. Scrub and rinse your sponges well, wash your mop heads, and change your vacuum bags or clean filters with regularity. Cleaning your tools means they will serve effectively and not transfer the dirt right into your home.
Mistake 8: Not Cleaning the Walls or Baseboards
Walls and baseboards gather dust, dirt, and scuff marks but are so often overlooked in routine cleaning. Neglecting these areas might render an impression of the room as unclean despite floors and furniture being spotless.
How to Avoid It:
Clean your walls and baseboards on a regular basis. Just use a lightly dampened microfiber cloth, paying great attention to the corners, the part of the wall very near to the baseboard, and all high-traffic areas. For scuff marks, a gentle cleaner or a magic eraser can work wonders.
9. Not emptying the bag or filter when vacuuming
A full vacuum bag or clogged filter severely reduces your vacuum's suction, reducing its dirt- and dust-collecting capabilities.
How to Avoid It:
Regularly check the bag or filter of your vacuum. Empty it when it is about two-thirds full. If you have a vacuum with a reusable filter, take the time to clean it every couple of weeks so your vacuum can continue to run at full capacity.
Mistake 10: Cleaning in the Wrong Order
Cleaning out of sequence can often mean having to do some things twice. For example, if you vacuum the floor before you dust, the dust from the surfaces falls onto the floor, and you will then have to go over it again with the vacuum.
How to Avoid It:
Always clean from top to bottom. This means dusting ceiling fans, shelves, and furniture first; floors are cleaned last, so that any dust or dirt falling during the process gets vacuumed or swept in the end.
Conclusion
By avoiding these common cleaning mistakes, you can save time, protect your home's surfaces, and achieve better cleaning results. It may be something as simple as allowing cleaning products to sit longer or not forgetting to clean high-touch areas; minor changes in your cleaning routine can make a very big difference. Now, set up your home to stay cleaner, fresher, and hygienic with the following tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my cleaning tools?
Tools like sponges, mops, and vacuum filters, it's recommended you clean after use or at least once a week, depending on the frequency of use.
Can one mix different cleaning products?
No, it is not good to mix most especially bleach with ammonia or vinegar, as it would give off dangerous fumes. Use the product according to the usage instructions without ever mixing them.
Which are those areas that are mostly overlooked when cleaning your home?
High-touch surfaces, walls, baseboards, and under the furniture surfaces are commonly recognized as rarely cleaned areas.
Can scrubbing really make a stain worse?
Yes, you can spread the stain or scratch the surface. It's best just to blot them gently and find the proper type of stain remover.
How do you clean windows without leaving streaks?
Clean windows on an overcast day, utilizing a microfiber cloth or squeegee to remove the excess moisture and prevent streaks.