7 Cleaning Chores You May Be Doing Wrong
You’ve probably been taught that scrubbing harder always means cleaning better, right? Or maybe you’re of the belief that more cleaning products are always better. While this thought process seems logical, it could be doing more harm than good.
In fact, you may be cleaning in all the wrong ways without even realising it! Most of the cleaning habits followed by people are actually ineffective or even damaging to various surfaces, appliances and fabrics. From using too much detergent to neglecting high-touch areas, small mistakes can make a big difference in how clean your home truly is.
This article will highlight 7 cleaning chores that you may be doing incorrectly and show you the right way to fix them. Some of these errors can leave behind hidden dirt and bacteria, while others can cause long-term damage. Whether you’re tackling everyday cleaning challenges or preparing for more bond cleaning Sunshine Coast, understanding these common mistakes will help you to clean smarter, not harder.
1. Scrubbing Carpet Stains Too Hard
One of the most common cleaning mistakes is aggressively scrubbing a carpet stain in an attempt to remove it quickly. While it seems logical to scrub away a spill, in actuality, all this does is push the stain further into the fibres of the fabric, making it harder to get it out. Aggressive scrubbing will also damage the texture of the carpet and cause discolouration.
Correction: Instead of scrubbing the stain, blot it gently with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb as much of the moisture or liquid as you can. Then, apply a stain remover or a mixture of mild detergent and water, and let it sit for about 3-5 mins before blotting it again. For deeper or more stubborn stains, professional cleaning services like the ones provided by skilled Bond Cleaning Sunshine Coast can help restore your carpets to their original condition.
2. Using Too Much Cleaning Product
When it comes to cleaning products, more is not always better. Many people assume that using excessive amounts of detergent or disinfectant will make surfaces cleaner or more hygienic; in reality, this may end up leaving behind a sticky residue that attracts more dust and dirt.
Correction: Always follow the recommended amount of cleaning product as specified in the instructions on the product’s label. Using the correct quantity ensures that cleaning is done effectively without unnecessary build-up. If you find yourself needing to clean frequently despite using powerful products, consider whether the residue left behind is actually making the surfaces dirtier.
3. Not Cleaning Your Cleaning Tools
Your sponges, mops and dusters help in maintaining a clean and tidy home, but if they are not cleaned regularly, they too, can harbour bacteria and spread a lot of dirt instead of helping remove it. A dirty mop or sponge might even contribute to unpleasant odours and cause cross-contamination.
Correction: Make it a habit to clean and disinfect your cleaning tools after each use. Sponges should be replaced regularly or disinfected by soaking them in a mixture of water and vinegar or microwaving them for a few seconds; mops and cleaning cloths should be washed and dried thoroughly to prevent bacterial growth.
4. Ignoring High-Touch Areas
Most people focus more on the dirt or grime that is visible to their naked eye and end up neglecting high-touch areas like door handles, light switches and remote controls. These surfaces are breeding grounds for bacteria and germs if left ignored, a fact that becomes truer if you have pets or children in the house.
Correction: Incorporate cleaning high-touch areas into your regular cleaning routine. Use disinfecting wipes or a mild cleaning solution to wipe these areas at least once every day. For deep cleaning situations, like when you’re about to move out of a rental property, taking the help of professional services like Budget Bond Cleaning Sunshine Coast can ensure all neglected areas are thoroughly sanitised.
5. Cleaning Windows on a Sunny Day
Most people aiming to clean up their windows often do so on a bright sunny day. If you’re like them, you too might have looked at the sunny day and thought today is a good day to clean those things up and let in the beautiful light. Wrong! The sun and its heat cause the cleaning solution to dry up far too quickly on the window glass, making it harder for you to remove the streaks and get the smudges out.
Correction: Choose to do the window cleaning on days that are cloudy or during cooler times of the day, like in the early morning or late afternoon, when there is less risk of the solution drying up faster than you can clean. Use a microfiber cloth or a squeegee while you do so.
6. Using the Same Cloth for Multiple Surfaces
Reusing the same cloth for cleaning different areas of the house may seem convenient, but this act can end up spreading germs from one corner to the next. For example, using the same cloth to wipe the kitchen counter and next, the bathroom surfaces will end up transferring bacteria from the kitchen to the bath, compromising hygiene.
Correction: Use separate cloths for different areas of the house; even disposable wipes will work here, although they are not too kind to the environment. Colour-coded cloths will also help you prevent cross-contamination from one room to another; just make sure you are washing all of them with hot water after each use (only in the case of reusable cloths).
7. Overloading the Dishwasher
You might look at the dishwasher and think that loading the dishwasher as much as you can will help you save energy and water. That’s not the case. All this will do is prevent proper cleaning. When dishes are overcrowded, water and detergent cannot reach all the surfaces, leading to leftover food particles and soap residue being stuck on the utensils.
Correction: Simply load the dishwasher according to the manufacturer’s instructions, ensuring there is ample space between each utensil for water and detergent to circulate better. The experts from professional Bond Cleaning Sunshine Coast recommend that if you find your dishes coming out dirty or unclean, consider running a maintenance cycle with vinegar to remove build-up from the dishwasher.
7 Cleaning Chores You May Be Doing Wrong
Wrapping up
Cleaning mistakes can often pour your cleaning efforts down the drain and even cause damage to your home over time. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to learn about common cleaning mistakes and how to fix them in order to maintain the health and longevity of both your home and the people living in it. Try these techniques out today and see the difference yourself. Happy Cleaning!
