Cleaning is necessary for maintaining a healthy and comfortable home, but not all cleaning efforts are equal.
Whether you’re a parent juggling multiple responsibilities, a busy professional pressed for time, or simply a homeowner wanting an efficient routine, it’s easy to fall into habits that unintentionally hinder your cleaning efforts. This can include using the wrong cleaning products, cleaning in the wrong order, or skipping oft-forgotten spots in the home.
Fortunately, knowledge is power! Learning about mistakes you may be making isn’t shameful: it’s an opportunity to learn how to clean smarter, not harder.
The Importance of Cleaning the Right Way
Cleaning isn’t just about appearances—it’s about maintaining a safe, healthy environment for you and your loved ones. Proper cleaning reduces allergens, minimizes the spread of germs, and prolongs the life of your furniture, appliances, and fixtures. However, if cleaning is done improperly or inconsistently, it can lead to wasted effort and even cause damage to surfaces over time.
How Frequently Should You Be Cleaning Your Home?
The frequency of cleaning tasks often depends on personal habits, household size, and lifestyle. However, some general guidelines can help maintain a clean and healthy home environment:
- Daily Tasks: Washing dishes, wiping kitchen counters, and disposing of garbage daily can prevent clutter and odours.
- Weekly Tasks: Vacuuming carpets, mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms, and dusting surfaces can help control dirt and grime.
- Monthly Tasks: Deep-cleaning jobs, such as cleaning windows, wiping baseboards, and vacuuming upholstery, can usually be tackled once a month.
Following these guidelines and adapting them to your needs can create a cleaning routine that balances effort and effectiveness.
Top 10 Common Cleaning Mistakes (& How to Avoid Them)
1. Cleaning in the Wrong Order
The Mistake: Starting from the bottom up instead of the top down. Cleaning the floor first means dust and debris from furniture and higher surfaces will fall after you’ve already cleaned.
How to Fix It: Start from the top of a room, such as ceiling fans, shelves, and light fixtures, and work your way down. Save vacuuming and mopping for last.
2. Not Cleaning High-Touch Areas
The Mistake: Forgetting to wipe down high-touch areas like doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls. These are hotspots for bacteria and viruses.
How to Fix It: Add high-touch surfaces to your weekly cleaning checklist. For electronics and surfaces, use disinfectant wipes or a safe spray cleaner.
3. Using the Wrong Cleaning Products
The Mistake: Using an all-purpose cleaner on everything can damage specialized surfaces like granite, wood, or stainless steel over time.
How to Fix It: Check product labels and use cleaners specifically formulated for the surface. For example, use a pH-neutral cleaner for stone countertops and a stainless-steel cleaner for appliances.
4. Overusing Cleaning Products
The Mistake: Thinking that using more product equals a better clean. Overuse can leave residue behind, attract dirt, or even damage surfaces.
How to Fix It: Follow the recommended amounts on the product label. Often, a small amount is sufficient for effective cleaning.
5. Spraying Cleaner Directly on a Surface
The Mistake: Spraying cleaner directly on furniture, electronics, or glass can leave behind streaks or residue that’s hard to remove.
How to Fix It: Spray cleaning solutions onto a microfibre cloth instead, then wipe the surface with the fabric. This ensures an even application and minimizes streaks.
6. Neglecting to Clean Cleaning Tools
The Mistake: Allowing sponges, mops, and vacuum filters to get dirty. Dirty tools spread bacteria and reduce cleaning efficiency.
How to Fix It: Regularly clean your tools. Wash sponges daily, disinfect mop heads weekly, and clean or replace your vacuum filter as recommended.
7. Placing a Toilet Brush Back Into Its Holder Immediately
The Mistake: A wet toilet brush placed straight into the holder is a breeding ground for bacteria and smells.
How to Fix It: After cleaning, prop your toilet brush under the toilet seat to allow it to air dry before returning it to the holder.
8. Cleaning Windows on a Sunny Day
The Mistake: While sunny days may seem ideal, the heat causes cleaning products to dry too quickly, leaving streaks.
How to Fix It: Clean windows on a cloudy day or during non-peak sun hours, such as early morning or late afternoon.
9. Not Cleaning the Trash Can
The Mistake: Simply tossing out the trash but never cleaning the actual trash receptacle can lead to lingering odours and bacteria accumulation.
How to Fix It: Clean your trash can bi-weekly by spraying it with disinfectant and brushing it. Rinse it and allow it to dry before adding a new bag.
10. Forgetting to Clean Walls & Ceilings
The Mistake: Neglecting these areas can lead to dust buildup, cobwebs, or even hidden stains from spills or dirt.
How to Fix It: Dust walls and ceilings with a microfibre cloth or broom wrapped in a soft towel. For visible marks, gently clean the area with a damp cloth and mild soap.
What to Do When Cleaning Gets Overwhelming
Many people find cleaning overwhelming due to tight schedules or sheer exhaustion. Here are some tips to make it more manageable:
- Follow a Cleaning Schedule: Break large cleaning tasks into smaller daily or weekly routines. For example, dust furniture one day and clean floors the next.
- Invest in Efficient Tools: Robotic vacuums, steam mops, and high-quality cleaning products can significantly reduce your workload.
- Keep Your Home Organized: Tidying up as you go prevents clutter from accumulating and makes deeper cleaning easier.
Avoiding these common mistakes and adopting efficient habits can help you achieve a healthier, more comfortable living space. However, Calgary Trusted Cleaners knows that there are more important things in life than cleaning. Contact us today to let our team handle all your home cleaning needs so you can get back to what you want to do.
