5 most common cleaning mistakes
Cleaning the house has never been fun. Some people dislike it less than others but I have never met anyone who truly enjoys the process. In any case, it is a part of our life which cannot be neglected. Otherwise, the mess can play tricks on us and affect both our physical and mental health in a negative way.
Below we are sharing with you the TOP-5 most common cleaning mistakes that people have been making for ages. If you make a bit of an effort and try not to repeat them, it is very likely that the word “cleaning” will no longer make you shiver but, instead, from now on it will imply a certain routine that is not so hard to follow.
1. Wrong cleaning order
We often do not create any specific “cleaning plan” before starting to declutter the space but, instead, just go with the flow and gradually reach the level of tidiness we are happy with. It is definitely better than nothing but next time you clean, try to do it more consciously. For example, if you see that the floor needs a good wash, do not grasp the mop immediately. Instead, check whether the shelves and other furniture must be dusted off first. The logic is simple: if you do it vice versa, you will have to clean the floor again once the dust settles. Therefore, begin with the upper part of the room and work your way down.
Cleaning is crucial but, first things first, put all your items to where they belong. Cleaning flat and empty surfaces is simpler and much more efficient rather than going around the piles of items.
2. Wrong cleaning products
Although, there is a wide variety of “universal” household cleaners that perform their job well on different surfaces, consider having a separate product for different needs. For instance, you would probably not use a scrubbing powder on furniture or stone worktops as it would damage your precious items. The same applies for laundry products – if you choose the wrong one, you might permanently ruin your clothes. Therefore, do not be reluctant to read the labels and follow the instructions carefully. In the end, not only you will prolong the lifespan of your belongings, but also save money, which otherwise you could have wasted on not entirely suitable cleaning agents.
3. Unsterilised cleaning tools
Have you ever seen multiple streaks that mopping leaves behind? Sometimes it even feels like the floor looked better before mopping. Do not do yourself a disservice by using dirty tools. Instead, wash mop heads, cleaning cloths, scrubbing brushes and other tools before every use. Cleaning a vacuum filter also should not be viewed as a “non-obligatory” procedure since the dirty vacuum can be blowing out dust with every use, which will only make it worse.
Kitchen sponges are a great environment for E.coli or Salmonella bacteria as the contamination in sponges comes from food leftovers. Make sure you clean the sponge appropriately after each use and do not forget to replace it regularly with a new one.
In addition, remember to take good care of your washing machine of it if you do not want your clothes to smell musty.
4. Delayed cleaning
Procrastinating and refusing to spend a couple of minutes on cleaning the consequences of a little “accident” (e.g. spilt jelly) right away can lead to spending hours on cleaning later on. If you leave it as it is and decide to come back to it later, you might already find ants there or the jelly can be spread all over the floor by that time. Cherish your time and make yourself do the needed without any excuses. This not only concerns the “accidents” but also regular cleaning. Do not wait until you start living under “unsanitary conditions” – sanitise your food preparation areas as often as possible, put your dirty laundry in a hamper and clean your sinks and shower doors after each use.
5. Cleaning on your own
There is nothing wrong with the fact that you want your children to have a joyful and carefree childhood. However, letting them contribute to the cleaning process can be beneficial for both of you. For you – it is an extra pair of hands, whereas for them – it is investment into their future when they get their own home. You should start small and then little by little, add more challenging chores. For instance, at first, they can be responsible for putting their dirty clothes to the hamper, dusting flat surfaces and/or folding towels. Later on, you can add up doing the laundry, washing windows, etc. It is important that you properly convey the message about doing small tasks every day – this will make a good habit stick.
