It may seem like a straightforward process to keep your home clean, but you could be making some common mistakes that actually make it dirtier. Don’t know what we mean? Let’s take a look at some counterproductive cleaning mistakes that stop your home from being truly spotless.
Using Too Much Cleaning Product
The excessive use of cleaning products will inevitably leave a gross, sticky residue that attracts dirt. More doesn’t always mean better; that’s a common mistake. Instead, you should follow the recommended amounts on product labels to keep cleaning effectively without leaving unwanted grime that dirt will cling to.
Cleaning Windows on a Sunny Day
If you’re cleaning windows on a sunny day, you’re probably making your home dirtier. Doing so can cause streaks, as the solution dries too quickly. Cloudy days or times when the sun isn’t directly on the windows are better, ensuring you get a clear, streak-free finish without battling rapid drying.
Not Cleaning Vacuum Filters
Almost everyone forgets to clear out their vacuum filters, but ideally, they need cleaning regularly. Dirty filters can reduce suction and blow dust back into the air, so keeping them clean keeps your vacuum performing optimally while maintaining better air quality in your home.
Using Dirty Cleaning Tools
If you use dirty tools when cleaning your home, you’re actually spreading dirt and bacteria everywhere. According to Family Handyman, cleaning tools such as vacuums, mops, and cloths should all be thoroughly cleaned after use, ensuring that your efforts are effective and aren’t just reintroducing grime into your living spaces.
Overloading the Dishwasher
Many people are guilty of overloading the dishwasher, which always results in improperly cleaned dishes. Items may block water flow, leaving food residues behind, so running a second cycle or washing some items by hand is a wise idea. This ensures thorough cleaning and avoids residue buildup, leaving dishes spotless.
Ignoring High-Touch Surfaces
Light switches, door handles, and other surfaces often go unnoticed despite hotspots being touched many times daily. These spots can harbor many germs, so it’s a good idea to regularly disinfect them. This will help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses and contribute to a healthier home environment.
Skipping Ceiling Fans
When turned off, dust is attracted to ceiling fans, and once they’re turned on again, that same dust will spread around the room. That’s why regularly dusting and cleaning your fan blades is wise; it’ll prevent this issue, ensure cleaner air, and reduce the amount of dust around your home.
Forgetting to Clean Remote Controls
Much like high-touch surfaces, remote controls are frequently handled yet rarely cleaned, a common mistake that makes your house grimy. They can harbor tons of bacteria, so wiping down remotes with disinfectant wipes regularly helps keep them clean and reduces the risk of spreading germs among family members.
Neglecting to Clean Behind Appliances
The areas behind appliances, like stoves and refrigerators, discretely collect dust and grime. These spots are commonly overlooked, so you should pull out these appliances occasionally and clean behind them to maintain a truly clean kitchen. Otherwise, the hidden dirt will just be left to build up.
Using the Same Cloth for Everything
Another cleaning mistake that makes your home filthy is to use the same cloth for multiple surfaces. This can quickly spread germs and dirt around your home; different cloths should be used for different areas and washed frequently to prevent cross-contamination and ensure cleanliness.
Not Rinsing Surfaces After Cleaning
Every day, people fail to rinse the surfaces they clean with products, leaving a thick residue that attracts dirt. This problem is solved simply with a water rinse, ensuring no cleaning product remains, which helps keep surfaces truly clean and prevents them from getting dirty again quickly.
Ignoring Upholstery Cleaning
The fabric of furniture can harbor immense amounts of dust over time, infesting your home with allergens and bacteria. You can solve this issue by regularly vacuuming and occasionally deep cleaning them. Ignoring this will let the buildup of dirt and allergens run free, destroying your home’s indoor air quality.
Forgetting to Clean Shower Curtains
Mold and mildew accumulate on your shower curtains every time you use them, so they should be wiped down regularly to prevent this. Washing shower curtains according to the manufacturer’s instructions keeps your bathroom cleaner and more hygienic, reducing mold growth and unpleasant odors.
Not Washing Reusable Shopping Bags
Perhaps this list’s most common cleaning mistake is not washing reusable shopping bags. Shockingly, they will collect bacteria and germs from various surfaces, so washing them regularly keeps them free from contaminants. This simple step ensures that your efforts to be eco-friendly don’t compromise your home’s cleanliness.
Overlooking Baseboards
Dust and dirt are attracted to your home’s baseboards, but most people neglect to address this during their cleaning routines. For the cleanest home, you should regularly wipe down your baseboards to prevent dust buildup. This will make a huge difference visually while removing pesky allergens from your property.
Skipping Mattress Cleaning
The amount of dust mites and allergens that build up on your mattress is, frankly, gross, yet a lot of people make the mistake of ignoring them. Regular vacuuming of your mattress is necessary to keep your sleeping environment clean. If you care about hygiene in your bedroom, don’t ignore this.
Not Cleaning Reusable Water Bottles
If not cleaned properly, mold and bacteria will build up in your reusable water bottles, which is incredibly unhygienic. They should be washed thoroughly after each use, keeping them fresh and safe to drink. There’s no point in drinking filtered water if the vessel you’re drinking it from is filthy.
Forgetting About Air Vents
Nothing reduces the air quality of your home more than neglecting to clean out your air vents. The occasional clear-out will eradicate allergens and keep your HVAC system working at optimum performance. Despite this, it’s a very common cleaning task to ignore, which is a big mistake.
Ignoring Pet Areas
Your pet’s beds, toys, and feeding areas are dirt, hair, and bacteria hotspots. To maintain hygiene for your beloved pet, these areas should be cleaned regularly; after all, you always ensure that you keep your environment clean, so you should do the same for your furry friend.
Not Cleaning Light Fixtures
One of the dirtiest cleaning mistakes commonly made in households is neglecting to clean the dust and insects that build up around your light fixtures. Regularly cleaning them doesn’t just improve your air quality; it also keeps your lights looking good, ensuring they provide maximum illumination.
Overlooking Trash Cans
Not many people remember to clean out their trash cans, a bad habit that makes their homes filthy. Odors and bacteria gather in trash cans, so a regular deep clean is essential. You should use disinfectant when doing so, eradicating unpleasant smells and making for a fresher home.
Using Feather Dusters
A classic cleaning error that actually makes your home dirtier is using feather dusters. These old-fashioned tools just spread dust around rather than capturing it. It’s much wiser to use a microfiber cloth or a vacuum with a dusting attachment, which helps to remove dust completely rather than relocate it.