9 Most Common House Cleaning Mistakes

Cleaning the house is not as straightforward an endeavour as people think it is. There are plenty of things we do wrong, which in turn slow us down, make things dirtier and consume more of our precious weekend time. Without further ado, let us look into the nine most common mistakes committed and the steps you can take to avoid said mistakes.

 Don’t spray cleaning solution directly on the surface

This is something almost everybody does, and why wouldn’t they? You are trying to clean the surface and spraying the liquid on it and wiping is the way to do it, right? Wrong. While this method is acceptable for specific scenarios but it has its drawbacks for things like electronics. For a safer and efficient way of cleaning, you should spray the cleaning agent on to the microfiber cloth and then wipe the surface. Top it off by wiping with a clean, dry cloth to remove any remaining solution. Do this for surfaces like porcelain, leather, wood, and electronics.

Do you clean your sponge enough?

Think about the number of things you cleaned using your sponge. Now think back to the last time you cleaned the said sponge. How long ago was it?

It is quite common for many to forget that the sponges need to be regularly cleaned too. If left uncleaned, a sponge can turn into a breeding nest for bacteria, carry a lousy odour and pass on germs to the things you clean using the sponge including dishes and cutlery.

So how do you prevent this?

Easy, throw it in the dishwasher the next time you are washing your dishes. If you do not have a dishwasher, keep the sponge in a bowl of water and stick it in the microwave or leave the sponge in boiling water. Doing this once a week should suffice. It is also advised that you replace your sponge as soon as it discolours or it starts to have a foul odour.

Slow down the next time you are cleaning

Yeah yeah, we all want to be done with house cleaning as soon as possible, but when you rush your way through it, you tend to miss spots or clean wrong. All this means you are leaving more work for yourself in the long run. Instead, do your cleaning at a slower pace and do it thoroughly. If time is of the essence, pick a single task and do it well and leave the rest for when you have time.

Dry your toilet brush before you put it away

As with your sponge, your toilet brush has an unpleasant task to do and is prone to pick up germs while doing its job. The general routine is to use it and plop it back into its holder, but this doesn’t seem right. Clear the brush of germs by washing it with clean water and allowing the brush to naturally dry for approximately fifteen minutes. You could leave it hanging over the toilet bowl.

Did you read the directions on that cleaning product?

We assume all cleaning agents work the same way, but if you read the directions on the label, there is a high chance you will notice you are not following the advice given on the label. Producers spend a lot and effort in developing these products and figuring out how they work best. Some cleaners work for a specific surface, some take an extended period, and some are dangerous to use without gloves. The next time you are opening that cleaning product, take a few minutes to read the label and understand how the product works. This way, you can ensure you get the best results out of your cleaning efforts.

Don’t wash your windows on a sunny day

You might be confused at this. After all, a sunny day seems perfect for cleaning your windows because you can be outdoors to clean the exterior. However, the issue is that the sun dries the water and soap before you can wipe with a squeegee resulting in those dreaded streaks on the window panes. You are better off waiting for an overcast day to clean your windows. Then, when the sun is out, you can sit back and enjoy your clear windows!

How often do you clean your vacuum?

If your vacuum gives out a foul odour or does not seem to be sucking in the dirt like it usually does, it is probably full. Forgetting to clean out the vacuum cleaner dirtbag is very common, and all of us have made an error at some point in our lives. This can damage your vacuum cleaner in the long run. As a rule of thumb, check the vacuum before you use it to make sure it is empty and implement a routine to clean after three or four sessions.

Don’t use the same rag when cleaning

Even if you are using an excellent cleaning solution on your cloth, it is not a good idea to use the same rag when you are cleaning the house. This is because the fabric hangs on to germs and grime and carries it on to the next surface. You do not want germs from the bathroom getting into your kitchen top, do you?

To fix this, use a separate microfibre cloth for each room in your house or use new paper towels for each surface you are cleaning. Microfibers are better as they minimize wastage; chuck the fabric in the washing machine, and it will be ready for use the next time you are cleaning.

A feather duster is not the answer

Commercials love to claim that the feathers trap dust, but that isn’t even remotely the case in reality. Instead, feather dusters spread dust on the surface and fling them into the air! As mentioned above, stick to a microfiber cloth or paper towels, depending on the body and situation.