12 Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid, According to Experts

Almost any task can be ruined by bad habits, and cleaning the house is no exception. In fact, all those bad house cleaning habits can make house cleaning a more exhausting activity than it should be. Poorly done cleaning can cause us to waste money and – even worse – time. However, like almost everything in life, there is a solution to this as long as you are aware of the mistakes you are making. Cleaning windows on a sunny day or using the same cleaning cloth on different surfaces are just a few examples. Find out what other cleaning mistakes you need to avoid when taking care of your home.

Let’s see the most common cleaning mistakes to avoid, according to experts

In this article

• Most common cleaning mistakes to avoid
  • Starting cleaning from the bottom up
  • You use the same cloth to clean all surfaces
  • Direct application of cleaning products
  • Using too much cleaning solution
  • Do not take care of the cleaning tools
  • Accumulation of wet rags and sponges
  • Not keeping your hands gloved
  • Not waiting for the product to work
  • Leaving the dishes unwashed before bedtime
  • Filling appliances to the max
  • Walk with shoes inside the house
  • You forget to clean the light switches

Most common cleaning mistakes to avoid

Starting cleaning from the bottom up

When you see the floor covered in dust and junk, your instinct may lead you astray, and start cleaning from here. This may be normal, but it makes sense to start by cleaning from the top down. That way, dust from lamps, pictures, shelves, and other furniture will fall to the floor. This should be the last place you clean in the room. Also, do not clean a surface you know you will need to use 5 minutes later, and it will most likely get dirty again. Wait until you are done with everything else and then clean it.

Tip: Check out our spring cleaning guide if you are planning a deep clean of your home. There you will find so many tips and advice for every room in your house!

Cleaning the kitchen first does not make sense if you are going to get it dirty minutes later 

You use the same cloth to clean all surfaces

Towels, scouring pads, and other cleaning tools can stain some surfaces if we use them to clean very dirty areas. It is best to replace them with clean ones, as you may transfer the dirt. If the cleaning cloth is heavily soiled, you should replace it immediately. What’s more, you can’t use a rag designed for cleaning windows to wipe your sink with! So, make sure you are using cleaning products how they are designed to be used.

Using one rag for your whole house is a big no-no

Direct application of cleaning products

Pouring a product directly onto a surface can stain it, which will make it difficult to achieve a good appearance. The best way to avoid these accidents is to spray the product onto a cloth and then wipe the area.

Applying some products directly to a surface might damage it 

Using too much cleaning solution

Using more cleaning solution than necessary will not clean clothes and dishes anymore, nor will it clean surfaces that need to be scrubbed. On the contrary: excess cleaning products will leave more dirt, and you will need to use more water to achieve a good result. Not to mention that you may destroy some fabrics doing so. It is recommended to always use the amount of detergent specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.

Tip: If you want to use all-natural, chemical-free cleaning solutions for your home, take a look at this eco-cleaning guide. There you will find organic recipes that you can use for every room in your house.

A lot of cleaning solution does not mean a cleaner house

Do not take care of the cleaning tools

Do you clean the cloth, broom, mop, sponge, and brush? After all, they’ve already absorbed enough soap, bleach, disinfectant, and water while cleaning, so why wash them again? That seems like a reasonable way of thinking. But it is far from the truth. Germs and dirt often attach to the tools we use to clean, so every item we use to clean the house should be disinfected. Otherwise, you will be spreading the same dirt back and forth.

Taking care of your cleaning tools is often a neglected step

Accumulation of wet rags and sponges

We are often tired because we have had a long day cleaning the house. So what is the first thing we do? We leave the wet rags or sponges in a pile. This is a common mistake that many people do not realize. Without knowing, these piles are perfect for growing mold and bacteria. We should also mention that the smell after a few hours is quite unpleasant. The best practice is to hang each damp towel to dry or directly leave them in the washer. And, take care of them when the time comes.

Do not leave your dirty rags in a wet pile, throw them in the washer instead

Not keeping your hands gloved

Don’t ruin your hands. Protect them from abrasive products, damage, and possible accidents like cuts. The best way to take care of your hands while cleaning the house is to use quality rubber gloves. Make sure they are your size.

Protect your skin and nails from harsh chemicals by always wearing protective gloves

Not waiting for the product to work

If this sounds familiar, you are not the only person who has this bad habit: you pour the cleaning product and immediately proceed to clean. However, every cleaning solution and substance needs a certain amount of time to do its job. You will be able to figure out exactly how much it is from the instructions. By following these instructions, you will achieve the desired result without having to scrub the area as much.

Always leave your cleaning products to work before scrubbing 

Leaving the dishes unwashed before bedtime

You have probably left your dishes for the next morning more than one time. There is a reason why you should not leave everything dirty before bed, though. Remember that insects and rodents come out at night and feed on what you have left behind. Not only that, but the next morning you will find these dirty dishes to be extremely hard to scrub and clean. So, do yourself a favor and clean your dishes before going to bed. You will thank yourself in the morning.

Tip: See these 8 things you should never pour down the drain. These tips will not only protect your sink and pipes, but also the animals and the environment!

Do not leave your dirty dishes for the next morning

Filling appliances to the max

Filling some appliances to the brim is a mistake we often make. It is thought that by doing this we can save time, water, and energy, but nothing is further from the truth. It turns out that the maximum efficiency of an appliance is achieved when you fill it to 3/4 of its total capacity. Otherwise, you run the risk of your clothes coming out dirty and having to repeat the procedure.

Do not overfill your washing machine because the clothes won’t get cleaned properly 

Walk with shoes inside the house

Taking off your shoes before entering your home is not practiced in quite a few homes. However, if you think about it for a moment, this habit allows you to keep your home cleaner for longer. Leave the dirt from the street outside – do you know how much stuff you would bring into your home?

Avoid walking with your shoes on in the house, even if you have forgotten something

You forget to clean the light switches

Skipping light switches is more common than you think. In fact, they are one of the most overlooked items to clean. However, considering they are touched daily and multiple times a day by different hands, we should not overlook them. Clean them at least once a week. A cloth with detergent is sufficient.

We touch the light switches every day, so it is important to also clean them

So, now you know what bad habits you might have been doing without realizing it. If you correct those, you will ensure that your house is squiky clean, your products last and work better, and you do not have to clean things twice!

Never again make mistakes that require double cleaning

Sources:

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