Let’s face it, we all seek ways to clean our homes faster and more efficiently. Surprisingly, some “quick” methods actually complicate cleaning in the long run. Perhaps you and your household have developed habits that prevent your home from being truly clean. Here are some of the habits that make your home dirtier.
Using excessive cleaning products
There’s no need to exceed the recommended dose of cleaning products. Additionally, you don’t need multiple types of detergents for a single task.
- Watching those TikTok cleaning videos with multiple products may be satisfying, but using too much detergent can leave a residue that attracts dirt. Using excessive products also risks residue remaining active and combining with other cleaning products, creating harmful fumes, explains cleaning expert Katie Berry for The Spruce.
She recommends using one product in the recommended amount advised by the manufacturer, and not skipping rinsing if recommended on the label.
Wasting time and money on extra products.
Cleaning with dirty tools
You can’t expect a clean home if you use dirty tools. For example, if your washing machine has an unpleasant odor due to built-up bacteria from detergent residue, your clothes will smell. If your vacuum bag is full of dust, it won’t perform well. Dirty cloths or sponges only spread more dirt.
Take the time to thoroughly clean your tools after each use by emptying or washing them in hot water and using disinfectant. Occasionally replace cloths, sponges, vacuum bags, and similar items.
Using one disinfecting wipe for cleaning the entire bathroom
Disposable disinfecting wipes have changed and simplified our lives. We can easily dust and tidy up the bathroom and other rooms in our homes. However, you can’t use one wipe for the entire bathroom. If you’ve cleaned the sink with it, by the time you reach the toilet seat or handles, the disinfectant will be depleted, and you’ll only be spreading bacteria from one surface to another.
For effective cleaning, the wipe should contain enough disinfectant moisture to keep the surface wet for at least four minutes. Use multiple wipes or a clean cloth with sufficient disinfectant for thorough cleaning.
Leaving dirty dishes in the sink
Do you and perhaps a household member have a habit of letting dishes “soak” in the sink? And does it drive you crazy? Well, you’re right. Leaving dirty dishes in the sink is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and attracts insects.
Teach all household members to either put the dishes in the dishwasher or wash them immediately.
Wearing outdoor shoes inside the house
Are you among those who have extra slippers for guests and ask them to remove their outdoor shoes? It’s great for maintaining cleanliness. By taking off your shoes every time you enter the house, you’ll save hours of vacuuming. Not to mention the bacteria and germs that will stay outside your living spaces.
You can make it easier for everyone by providing a bench or chair for convenient shoe removal.
Accumulating food in the refrigerator
If you know that your household members don’t eat leftovers, why keep them in the fridge? If you won’t eat the food you stored in the fridge soon, it’s better to discard it. Most people dislike wasting food and hope to consume the leftovers at some point, but if that doesn’t happen, you’re just harboring bacteria. Improperly stored food encourages mold and bacterial growth, making fridge cleaning more challenging.
Dusting after cleaning
Rooms should be cleaned from top to bottom so that dust falls onto the floor for vacuuming. In the past, dusting was done last because vacuum cleaners didn’t have filters to prevent releasing dust into the air.
- For those using modern vacuums, it’s best to dust first and then vacuum, advises Berry.
If you use disposable dusting wipes, remember to replace them regularly during cleaning.
