10 Mistakes You Might Be Making When Cleaning Your Home

Top 10 Mistakes People Make When Cleaning Their Homes

August 16, 2024

Cleaning a house can be a time-consuming and repetitive activity, especially if regular home cleaning doesn't take place. Even worse, common cleaning mistakes can make the process take longer and be less effective, potentially making the home even dirtier than it would have been. But what if you could not only make the process quicker but also more effective?

Let's take a look at a few common home cleaning mistakes and some simple solutions that will make sure you're cleaning in the most efficient and productive way possible.

Neglecting to Clean Cleaning Tools

One of the most common cleaning mistakes people make is not cleaning their cleaning tools. Brooms, mops, brushes, and other items used for cleaning can hold in dirt or bacteria and then spread them to other surfaces. They can also start to smell bad. Additionally, tools that have been worn down over time are less effective and may even damage the surfaces they're meant to clean.

By regularly cleaning and sanitizing tools, you can avoid spreading bacteria and make sure that surfaces are actually getting cleaner when those tools are used for home cleaning. Replacing old or worn tools will also prevent scratches or other damage to other surfaces.

Overlooking High-Touch Areas

When most people start their home cleaning, they immediately start with the most visibly messy places. However, they often overlook high-touch areas like doorknobs, switches, and remote controls. Bacteria, viruses, and other germs thrive in these locations and they can easily spread illnesses to everyone who comes into contact.

However, by remembering to clean high-touch areas frequently, you can prevent the spread of potential diseases. To make sure you don't miss any, you can do a "dry run" where you pretend to do common tasks in a room and write down which surfaces you touch, which allows you to see which surfaces you might be overlooking.

Cleaning in the Wrong Order

Another common home cleaning mistake is cleaning in the wrong order. If you start with the floors, for example, dirt and dust will travel downward while you clean the higher surfaces. This will force you to either clean the floors again or leave them covered in dust and dirt.

By following a logical cleaning order by dusting first, cleaning from the top to the bottom, and then saving the mopping or vacuuming for the end, you can make sure that the floors are as clean as the rest of the room.

Ignoring Hidden Areas

It's also important not to ignore hidden areas, which are those that can't be seen without actually looking for them. These include the area underneath furniture like couches, walls or counters behind appliances, inside vents, and the tops of fans, among many others.

To avoid cleaning mistakes like this, always remember to move furniture and appliances regularly to clean behind and underneath. It's also important to look inside light fixtures, fans, vents, and other built-in devices around the house.

Not Allowing Cleaning Products to Sit

When cleaning in a hurry, it can be tempting to wipe away cleaning products just after they've been applied. However, doing so might mean you've removed the cleaner before it has time to work, making them less effective.

If the cleaning product needs time to work, it should have a recommended waiting time on the back of the bottle as part of the usage instructions. It's important to give them time, so you might want to take a few minutes to handle other cleaning tasks in the room before wiping them up.

Using the Wrong Cleaning Techniques

Improper techniques can also lead to cleaning mistakes. These include scrubbing a surface too hard or using the wrong cleaning utensil. This can damage surfaces, leave marks, and make the job harder or less effective.

Using proper techniques will prevent this damage and make everything work more efficiently. If you aren't familiar with proper techniques, check out the other posts on our blog to learn more!

Using the Incorrect Water Temperature

It's a common home cleaning myth that the water used should always be hot. Different surfaces require different temperatures, as hot water is more effective (especially on grease, oil, and other heavy-duty jobs) it can also cause surface damage. Cold water doesn't work as well but is more delicate on surfaces.

By using the recommended water temperature for each surface or cleaning product in the home, you can clean more effectively while also protecting the surface being cleaned.

Overusing Cleaning Products

Perhaps one of the most common cleaning mistakes is the overuse of cleaning products. It may seem logical to use more cleaner but what ends up happening is leaving residual buildup over time, attracting more dirt, and doesn't actually improve cleaning effectiveness.

For the best home cleaning experience, always follow the product instructions on the label. If it's hard to read or the cleaner is outside of its original packaging, a quick Google search of the product name and "instructions" should tell you the correct amount to use.

Forgetting to Clean Walls and Ceilings

Walls and ceilings are essential to any home but they're also very easy to overlook during home cleaning. Grease, dust, and cobwebs can grow on ceilings over time and walls are prone to discoloration or stains, especially in kitchens. Indoor smoke, either from cooking or tobacco, can especially lead to these stains.

A duster with a long handle or vacuum attachment is a great way to clean walls and ceilings periodically and can prevent discoloration, cobwebs, or other stains. The walls near the stove should be cleaned frequently as well.

Not Cleaning the Trash Can

Perhaps the most overlooked part of home cleaning is the garbage bin. Most people expect these to smell bad for obvious reasons but over time, bacteria can grow and the stench can become overwhelming, especially if the rubbish sits for days before pickup. Leftover liquids at the bottom of the bag can leak out and breed a lot of bacteria.

Trash bins should be washed and disinfected regularly to prevent bad smells and stop harmful bacteria from building up. Cleaning products will leave behind a fresher scent and the house will look, smell, and be cleaner.

The Bottom Line on Cleaning

Cleaning a home doesn't have to be a pain but common cleaning mistakes can make the process longer and less effective. By remembering to clean behind, underneath, and inside appliances and furniture, as well as regularly cleaning areas with high levels of contact, you can make sure that your home stays clean and free of harmful bacteria while smelling great.

Make Cleaning Mistakes a Thing of the Past with Luxoclean

Don't forget these helpful tips next time you clean your home or, to make things easier, why not consider hiring a professional cleaning company? Luxoclean helps you avoid common cleaning mistakes by offering reliable cleaning services that leave your home spotless and worry-free. Book your house cleaning today!