Cleaning your home effectively requires not just time and effort, but also the right tools, products, and methods. Sadly, many people fall into common cleaning pitfalls, such as using a dirty mop or paper towels for everything. To help you avoid these errors, we’ve gathered a list of the top 30 cleaning mistakes and bad habits from professional housecleaners.
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To avoid this mistake, have separate sponges designated for different tasks, like dishes, countertops, and bathroom surfaces. Using a Disinfectant Instead of a Cleaner. It’s easy to assume disinfectants and cleaning solutions accomplish the same thing, but this is far from true. All-purpose cleaners and even dish soap remove dirt and grime, while disinfectants like rubbing alcohol and vinegar sanitize. ‘There are very, very few areas where I would recommend an actual disinfectant (mostly for countertops and areas where you will eat/cook/prep food),’ Avery says, who prefers a multi-purpose cleaner for most areas of the home. Not Moving Decor and Other Items As You Clean. For the sake of time, many of us slide by tissue boxes, vases, and other items when we’re cleaning shelves, countertops, and such. Unfortunately, you can’t effectively deep clean your home this way, since dust collects everywhere. To achieve a thorough clean throughout your home, make sure you lift items and wipe down surfaces completely. Leaving Your Cleaning Products Disorganized. Cleaning is already a time-consuming project, so when it takes time to simply locate the right cleaning supplies, we may attempt to make that time back by cleaning too fast. Additionally, when you can’t find the right tools, you might substitute the missing solution or tool for ineffective alternatives. Instead, make sure your cleaning products are easy to find and organized well, so your routine goes smoothly. Always Using Vinegar to Clean. Vinegar is one of the most common natural cleaning solutions. It’s a great option for homeowners who want to avoid harsh chemicals, and it effectively cleans hard water stains, deodorizes bathrooms, and more. However, vinegar can’t do everything, which is why always using vinegar to clean is another common cleaning mistake. Avoid using vinegar on surfaces like wood and marble, since the acetic solution may damage them. Using Abrasive Cleaning Products and Tools. There’s a time and a place for abrasive scrub brushes or harsh products like bleach, but these tools are only applicable in select circumstances. Abrasive sponges, for instance, are great for stuck food on grills, while bleach is an excellent tool for removing mold and mildew. But for most cleaning needs, your default should be a milder all-purpose cleaner. Overcomplicating Cleaning. We all are guilty of many cleaning mistakes on this list, but Avery says the top cleaning mistake he’s seen is simply making cleaning too complicated. ‘Yes, professional products help you get better results, but being too specific and making it too complex is counterintuitive,’ says Avery. ‘Always make sure your cleaning products are versatile.’ In many cases, a simple all-purpose cleaner or even a DIY cleaner is the best product you can use to clean your home. Using a Dry Cloth or Feather Duster for Dusting. Another common cleaning mistake many people make is using a dry cloth or feather duster for dusting. Unfortunately, this only pushes dust elsewhere, rather than picking it up and removing it.
Dust requires moisture or static electricity to adhere effectively, which is why I recommend using a damp microfiber cloth. Taylor v. Beginning to Clean Without the Proper Supplies Sometimes we notice a pile of crumbs on the counter and spontaneously grab a damp rag. Then, you spot dust on the windowsill and fingerprints on the refrigerator door, and before you know it, you’re diving into a cleaning routine without the proper supplies on hand. You might even settle for the wrong tool or product along the way. Before cleaning, always make sure you have the right supplies on hand. Cleaning with a Dirty Mop Just as with dirty sponges, Avery says many people attempt to clean their floors using a dirty mop. “This is so common,” he comments. Instead, Avery says a flat mop with 6-10 mop pads can clean your floors more effectively. Replace as you go or use a bucket with two separate compartments for dirty water and clean/soapy water. Using a Carpet Cleaner Before a Vacuum Vacuuming and carpet cleaners are both productive tools when it comes to cleaning your carpet. However, you must use these tools in the correct order. Always vacuum your carpet thoroughly before using a carpet cleaner to prevent dirt and debris from getting pushed and embedded into the carpet fibers. Washing Windows on a Sunny Day Another common, but perhaps less obvious, cleaning mistake many people make is washing windows on a hot, sunny day. While the sunlight certainly makes fingerprints and dirt easier to spot, cleaning your windows on days like these may do more harm, as the heat from the sun will dry your cleaner faster and create streaks in the process. Steam Cleaning Your Wood Floors Steam cleaners have a certain appeal for modern cleaning professionals, since they avoid harsh chemicals found in other mainstream cleaning tools and products. Unfortunately, steam cleaners are not ideal for every surface. Never use a steam cleaner on your hardwood (or engineered hardwood) floors, as it can warp the material. Cleaning the Same Areas Each Week Another cleaning mistake Avery sees far too often is tackling the same areas of the house each week rather than mixing up your cleaning routine. “Not all areas get dirty with the same frequency,” he says. “Plus, it’s important that you switch tasks to make it a bit more fun and not so monotonous.” Cleaning Before Decluttering Many people are overwhelmed at the thought of cleaning simply because their space feels too messy. Instead of beginning with common cleaning tasks like dusting and vacuuming, start with a little decluttering. Put away toys, organize the stacks of paperwork and mail on your desk, clear the kitchen countertop, and so on. Then, jump into your cleaning routine. Masking Dirt and Odors with an Air Freshener Visible dirt and debris are only one indicator that it’s time to clean. Strong odors also suggest a deep clean is necessary, but many people default to an air freshener instead. Of course, gardenias and citrus smell better than dirt and pet dander, but a pleasant aroma does not equal cleanliness.
If your house is a bit smelly, find the root problem and solve it.
Paper towels have their uses in cleaning routines but are not a good replacement for microfiber cloths and sponges. Paper towels are fine for clearing grease from a pan or wiping a toilet. But for most tasks like wiping kitchen counters or dusting living room shelves, microfiber cloths are better. Another common mistake is wiping up cleaning solution too quickly. People often spray cleaner on a surface and immediately wipe it off. But many products need time to sit to break down dirt and grime. Always read instructions on cleaning products and follow the recommended wait time. After cleaning your shower, it’s necessary to rinse and dry the walls to prevent streaks and water spots. Not doing so is a mistake. Don’t forget to clean behind appliances. People often only clean visible areas and neglect the space behind. This can lead to dirt, dust, and food crumbs attracting pests and causing odors. Pull out appliances for a thorough cleaning sometimes. Don’t skip high-touch surfaces. Clean light switches and doorknobs as they have more germs. We often overlook these surfaces. Add them to your cleaning list next time. Don’t miss the outside of cabinets and appliances. We clean the insides but forget the outsides. Wipe them down when cleaning kitchen or bathroom. Don’t neglect hard-to-reach areas. Clean areas like high shelves, light fixtures, and ceiling fan blades. Use an extendable handle duster to reach them.One of the biggest mistakes people make when cleaning their homes is cleaning in the wrong order. For example, don’t sweep the kitchen floors and then move on to the countertops. As dirt and debris may fall while you wipe down the counters. To avoid cleaning one area twice, always clean from top to bottom.
Many cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can irritate your eyes and nose. Even natural cleaning products like vinegar leave strong odors. By opening doors and windows as you clean your home, you’ll improve ventilation and maintain better air quality, resulting in a cleaner home.