Everyday Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid and How to Fix Them

Cleaning our homes regularly is important for health, sanitation, and having a pleasant living environment. However, many people make simple yet serious cleaning errors that compromise safety and cleanliness. Avoiding common cleaning pitfalls takes awareness and changing just a few habits.

Using Too Much Cleaner

It’s easy to squirt extra cleaning solution into the bucket or directly onto surfaces. Using too much chemical cleaner though leads to residue left behind, breathing irritation, wasted money, and damage over the long run. Follow label diluting guidelines strictly. Twenty minutes soaking is sufficient for sanitizing. Multi-purpose cleaners in ready-to-use spray bottles also curb overuse when following mist and wipe directions.

The Fix

Read instructions to mix concentrates appropriately with water and use the correct amount. Set a kitchen timer when cleaner needs to sit before wiping away. For spray applications, avoid holding down the button continuously, just a 2-3 second spray is adequate typically. Check bottles before refills to avoid topping up when still half-full.

Not Dusting Properly

Dusting seems simple enough – a quick run over with a feather duster or microfiber cloth to tidy up. Yet dusting efficiently means methodically moving items to lift away dust from all surfaces. Otherwise we merely stir up and redistribute dust temporarily. Forget about ceilings fans and light fixtures too and dust accumulates there over time.

The Fix

Establish set dusting days, move small décor items onto a counter or table to fully dust their resting spots. Use extendable dusters or a sturdy stool to reach ceiling fans and lights every month or so. For electronics like TVs and computers, lightly vacuum dust buildup with a brush nozzle rather than using liquids. Maintain dusting vigilance and you’ll breathe easier and cut back on layered dirt grinding into surfaces over time.

Mixing Cleaning Products

Who hasn’t had the impulse to mix a few strong cleaners together to tackle a especially dirty spot? Combining certain cleaners though generates dangerous fumes. The other reality is quite different cleaners are formulated to work solo targeting specific areas – glass versus ovens versus toilets. Resist mixing anything other than water with cleaners.

The Fix

Read all labels carefully, never combine ammonia or bleach containing products. If you desire a stronger cleaner, search for one specially made multi-purpose formula. When tackling different cleaning needs around the home, use the appropriate cleaner for the job whether it be counters, bathrooms, or windows. Also ensure plenty of ventilation when using chemical cleaning products.

Forgetting Entryways and High Traffic Areas

Meticulously cleaning the floors, carpets, and surfaces is nice yet becomes instantly undermined when ignoring entryways and high traffic areas. The bottoms of shoes tracking in outdoor dirt, rainfall moisture, scrapes, and leaks means home entry points and stairways can transform into unsightly grimy messes within days. Catch this deterioration early.

The Fix

Set reminders to quickly sweep and mop key access areas like front and back doors, garage entries, sliding doors, and staircases. Place heavy duty entry mats both outside and within entryways to capture excess dirt. Vacuum wall marks and switch plates in hallways monthly. Spot clean carpets along main pathways twice monthly using appropriate carpet cleaner. Maintaining cleanliness vigilance across these heavy use areas prevents rapid deterioration.

Using Old Cleaning Tools and Equipment

It’s easy to keep using worn out cleaning tools way past their prime effectiveness. Yet tired old mops simply push around dirt without absorbing it while brooms won’t sweep as efficiently missing dirt in crevices. Worn scrubber heads also won’t remove grime properly. And using tattered sponges or towels just move mess around rather than lift it away.

The Fix

Designate time every season to evaluate the condition of all cleaning tools. Replace mop heads that look dirty or worn, broom bristles that are frayed and unable to sweep debris into the pan, and towels or sponges that have tears or holes. Upgrade to microfiber cloths and pads which lift dirt better with less spreading around. Discard old toothbrushes used for detailed scrubbing. Maintaining fresh tools is vital for cleaning effectively.

Overlooking Hidden Grime Areas

Homes contain all sorts of hidden spots that easily get overlooked yet build up layers of dirt, dust and grime over time. The top edges of door frames, ceiling corners, walls behind furniture, closet floors, and storage bins under sinks or beds tend to get ignored. But clearing clutter and cleaning forgotten areas is necessary for freshness and preventing bugs or rodents taking up residence.

The Fix

When undertaking seasonal deep cleaning, pull out infrequently accessed areas and give them a refresh. Use crevice cleaning tools and mini vacuums to remove dirt along baseboards, vents, appliance tops and bottoms, and window sills. Clean walls, ceilings and corners by standing on a sturdy stool for access. Reset storage bins placing heavier items on lower shelves for easier future wiping down. Commit to addressing at least one long ignored zone each thorough cleaning session.

Scrimping on Disinfecting Step

Many cleaning routines focus heavily on scrubbing and degreasing giving short shrift to the germ killing disinfectant stage. Yet disinfecting using Environmental Protection Agency approved cleaners properly is critical for removing bacteria and viruses that cleaning alone misses. Coronavirus now underscores the importance of allowing one minute contact time for disinfectants to work.

The Fix

Read product labels to see which qualify as disinfectants – key terms to look for include antimicrobial, antiviral, tuberculocidal or hepatitis control. Ensure any disinfecting cleaner stays visibly wet on surfaces for the full contact time listed on the label whether it’s one minute or ten minutes. Set a timer if necessary to avoid wiping disinfectant away prematurely. Making this soaking time commitment allows for full germ, virus and bacteria elimination.

Relying on DIY Cleaning Formulas

Homemade cleaning concoctions utilizing vinegar, baking soda, lemon and essential oils certainly offer inexpensive, chemical-free cleaning options. Yet DIY formulas rarely deliver the same germ-killing power as commercial disinfectants. And not fully rinsing away DIY cleaners leaves acidic or oil residue behind on surfaces. Proceed with caution creating your own cleaning blends without understanding the science.

The Fix

Research thoroughly before trying any homemade cleaner mix, ensuring it has disinfecting capability plus a neutral pH when done. Always add vinegar to water rather than vice versa to prevent chemical burns from splashing. Limit vinegar use to small areas to avoid bleaching surfaces. Rinse all surfaces multiple times after using citrus juices which are highly acidic. Test DIY cleaner in inconspicuous areas first and allow to dry ensuring no damage or residue results.

Neglecting Proper Hand Hygiene

Washing hands properly after cleaning sounds basic yet is commonly rushed through. Effective hand hygiene though is the number one way to halt everyday infections. Hands must be scrubbed vigorously in soapy water creating friction to remove germs – not just quick rinsed. Yet surveys show we fall short of the 20 recommended seconds of lathering and scrubbing needed for hands to be contamination free.

The Fix

Follow CDC guidance on effective handwashing – wet hands, lather soap completely up to wrists, scrub vigorously counting to 20, rinse thoroughly and pat dry with fresh towel. Use nail brushes when hands are visibly dirty. Set phone timer if needed to ensure full 20 seconds scrubbing. Use alcohol based sanitizer as secondary defense after handwashing. Teach all household members the proper hand washing technique to foster prevention.

Forgoing Proper Window Cleaning

Cleaning windows seems basic but technique matters greatly. Spraying cleaner directly onto windows rather than wiping cloth leads to unsightly drips and streaks. So does washing windows in direct sunlight – dry before seeing smears. Using old newspapers or paper towels lint up and damage window surfaces too. Professionals rely on proper window washing tools and methods.

The Fix

Invest in quality squeegees, lint-free microfiber cloths and proper window washing bucket sets. Lightly spray cleaner onto cloths, wash windows section by section wiping away vertical strips as you go before moving ladder. Squeegee sections fully after washing then wipe sills and frames. Clean windows on overcast days only. Rinse wiping cloths fully before doing final polishing wipe. Follow these methods and tools and windows sparkle beautifully.

Scratching Surfaces with Abrasive Cleaners

It’s tempting to violently scrub away stubborn stains but seemingly “tough” cleaning products contain gritty ingredients adding micro scratches that build up and mar surfaces. Powder cleansers, supermarket spray cleaners and old fashioned terry cleaning pads all exact surface damage with regular use. Even glass cleaner containing ammonia creates tiny clouded etches over time.

The Fix

Evaluate cleaner abrasiveness before using on delicate surfaces – tile, stainless steel and fiberglass tub surrounds require gentle care. To test, rub a small hidden corner for 30 seconds using medium pressure. If tiny scratches appear, switch to a cream-based cleaner or one specifically intended for that surface type. Ensure cleaning pads are non-scratch. Keep windows clean using vinegar or specialist glass cleaner to avoid ammonia pitting. Say no to abrasives for a visibly damage-free home.

Ignoring Product Expiration Dates

Bottles of cleaning products can sit under sinks or laundry rooms for years. Yet cleaners lose disinfecting power as ingredients degrade over time. The expiration date indicates when potency drops. Bleach for example begins losing efficacy after 6 months of storage. Yet two thirds of people don’t even notice or heed expiration dates according to cleaning brand surveys. Always check and obey them.

The Fix

When organizing cleaning products, check expiration dates and pull items out that have surpassed limits or look old. Certain cleaners like bleach and hydrogen peroxide have short useful lives. Replace disinfectant wipes at least once yearly – dried out they won’t fully sanitize. Write dates opened with marker on spray bottle handles to better track lifespan limits. Commit to more frequent audit of products, tossing anything over expiration date to maintain cleaning power.

Conclusion

Avoiding common cleaning pitfalls involves tweaking a few basic habits from being overzealous with cleaner amounts, forgetting entryways, to moving beyond surface dusting. Establishing new methodical practices like washing hands properly, checking expiration dates, testing cleaner abrasiveness and fully disinfecting goes far to maximize cleaning effectiveness. Not letting frugality undermine results also reduces cleaning regrets. What additional cleaning counseling would help those seeking fundamental improvements? Please share your insights and wisdom in the comments to assist others!