Keeping our homes clean and sanitized is an all-time high priority right now. To make sure your home remains your safe place, it’s important that you aren’t accidentally making any cleaning mistakes. If you’re looking to break bad habits or want to ensure you haven’t started, read on to learn about the cleaning mistakes you might be making.
1. Starting at the Bottom
A mistake many homeowners make is not having a plan with their cleaning. Being strategic in your cleaning can make the chore easier and faster to finish. When you start cleaning any room, start at the top and work your way down. For example, start by dusting high up surfaces before you do your vacuuming. If you vacuum first and then take on other tasks, it’s likely you’ll have to vacuum again at the end to collect the debris that’s fallen while you cleaned other items. By being smart and working your way from the top down, you’ll have a cleaner home in a shorter amount of time.
2. Leaving Messes to Accumulate
The longer you leave something a mess, the more it’s going to grow. What started out as a spilled cup of coffee can turn into a sticky mess with other debris stuck into it. While it’s not always the most fun option, cleaning as you go can make your overall amount of cleaning go down. Plus, by taking care of messes when they happen, you’ll prevent staining and damaging surfaces such as floors and countertops. Keep in mind that food and drink messes can also lead to pests making their way into your home. Avoid having to call a pest control company because you didn’t want to clean up a spill and instead take care of it when it happens.
3. Not Cleaning Your Cleaning Tools
If the tools you are using to clean are dirty, you’re only going to spread more dirt and germs around. Before you begin cleaning, make sure your tools are already clean and if not, take a moment to clean them first. Make sure one-time-use products are only used once and do not try to reuse them. Dispose of dirty sponges and rags once they’ve been used past their prime. If you’re going to spend time cleaning, you want to make sure you’re not just spreading more bacteria around. A dirty mop will only end up making your floor dirtier than when you started.
4. Using the Wrong Products
Did you know using the wrong products can actually harm certain surfaces? For example, not using the correct product on your marble countertops could result in damages that require replacement. Don’t let your investments go to waste by using the wrong product.
In addition, using the wrong product may not properly clean the area. This is why it’s important to buy products that are specific to the materials in your home and are meant to clean them. If you have porcelain tiles in your kitchen, do not use a wood floor cleaner. While this may seem like a no-brainer, you would be surprised by how many people think the ingredients are all the same. Be sure to read the label of your cleaning product to ensure it can be used for your specific cleaning needs.
5. Doing Everything Yourself
Cleaning an entire home from top to bottom is time-consuming and hard work. And while there are those who love cleaning, not all of us do. If there’s a particular cleaning chore you hate doing, think about hiring a pro to do it for you. Whether it’s cleaning your windows or washing floors, there are a variety of pros on HomeStars who will be more than happy to do your least favourite task. Hiring a cleaning company is more affordable than you may think. Plus, just think about the free time you’ll get back to do something you actually enjoy. Invest in yourself and your home by hiring a pro to take care of your least favourite task.
If you need some help when it comes to cleaning your home, you can always connect with a professional company. They will know how to properly clean your home and ensure no cleaning mistakes are made. If you’re interested in getting some pro help, follow this guide to aid you in finding the right company for you. Whether you decide to DIY or get the help of a pro, the goal is a clean home you feel safe and happy in.