Top 10 Cleaning Faux Pas You Need to Stop Doing
Many of us want to make cleaning easier and quicker, but sometimes the shortcuts we take can end up making the job harder in the long run. We may have developed bad habits that actually hinder our ability to clean efficiently and could even be causing damage to our homes.
To achieve a cleaner home in a shorter amount of time, it’s important to break these bad cleaning habits. That’s why we’ve enlisted an expert to help bust these mistakes. By focusing on changing one or two bad cleaning habits each week, you can make significant progress toward a cleaner home and have more time for activities you enjoy.
Stop Allowing Paper Clutter to Pile Up with These Tips
Despite the prevalence of digital media, paper clutter is still a common problem in many households.
From bills to magazines, it can easily pile up and cause stress. Here are some tips to help reduce paper clutter in your home:.
Designate a specific area near the entryway for all mail, periodicals, and paper forms.
Keep a shredder or recycling bin nearby to dispose of unwanted papers.
Sort through papers at least once a week and complete any necessary actions, such as paying bills or responding to invitations.
Discard any papers that are no longer needed.
File important papers like tax receipts in a designated filing system to keep them organized and easy to find.
Consider taking digital photos of your children’s special artwork or frame them for display instead of keeping physical copies.
Share magazines with retirement homes, schools, or donate them to a local library.
Consider reading articles online instead of keeping physical copies.
Bad Cleaning Habit: Leaving Wet Towels and Shower Curtains Bunched Up
Leaving wet towels and shower curtains bunched up in the bathroom can lead to unpleasant mildew smells and attract pests like ants and silverfish.
To prevent this, cleaning expert Katie Berry suggests leaving a few inches of space on either side of the shower curtain to allow air to circulate and help it dry. Additionally, hanging wet towels to dry will not only lighten your laundry loads, but also prevent mildew growth and unwanted pests in your bathroom.
By making these simple changes, you can spend less time in the laundry room and cleaning mildew from bathroom surfaces.
How Using Too Much Cleaning Product Can be a Bad Cleaning Habit
Cleaning Faux Using more cleaning product than necessary is a common mistake that many people make, thinking that it will help them clean faster and better.
However, this is not the case, and it can even cause more harm than good.
According to cleaning expert Katie Berry, using too much cleaning product can leave a film that attracts dirt and grime, and may also leave behind residue that can react with other cleaning products and produce harmful fumes.
To avoid this, it’s important to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use only the recommended amount of product.
Furthermore, it’s important not to skip rinsing if it’s recommended on the label.
By doing so, you can save time, money, and reduce the risk of leaving behind harmful residues or chemicals. So, always read the instructions carefully, and don’t overdo it with the cleaning product.
How Using Dirty Cleaning Tools Can Affect Your Cleaning
Don’t let your cleaning tools sabotage your cleaning efforts.
Using dirty tools can result in subpar results and even spread germs and bacteria around your home. If your washing machine, vacuum, mop, or sponge is dirty, it can cause unpleasant odors or fail to clean properly.
To ensure your tools are effective, take the time to thoroughly clean them after every use.
This may involve emptying completely, washing in hot water, and adding a disinfectant. Additionally, periodically replace your tools with new ones to ensure maximum effectiveness.
By keeping your cleaning tools clean, you can achieve cleaner and healthier results in your home.
Why Using One Disinfectant Wipe to Clean Your Entire Bathroom is a Bad Idea
Instead of relying on a single disinfectant wipe to clean your entire bathroom, it’s best to use multiple wipes or a clean cloth and sufficient disinfectant and water solution.
This is because a disposable disinfectant wipe contains only enough disinfectant moisture to clean a small area, such as a bathroom sink. If you use the same wipe on multiple surfaces, you may end up spreading bacteria from one surface to another.
To ensure that the disinfectant is effective, it’s important to keep the surface wet with the disinfectant for at least four minutes.
If you’re using wipes, this may mean using several wipes to cover all surfaces in the bathroom. Alternatively, you can use a clean cloth and a disinfectant and water solution to clean larger areas more thoroughly.
This will ensure that all surfaces are properly disinfected and free from harmful bacteria.
Leaving Dirty Dishes in the Sink: A Bad Cleaning Habit to Break
Instead of Leaving Dirty Dishes in the Sink, Put Them in the Dishwasher or Wash Them Immediately.
If you don’t have a dishwasher, designate a specific area for dirty dishes and clean them as soon as possible.
Don’t let them pile up and become overwhelming to tackle. This will also prevent any food scraps from attracting pests and creating unpleasant odors in the kitchen.
By making it a habit to clean up after meals and snacks, you’ll also create a more inviting and organized space in your kitchen.
How Wearing Outside Shoes in the House Can Impact Your Health and Home
Additionally, consider having indoor slippers or shoes for family members to wear inside.
This not only helps to keep floors clean, but can also be more comfortable for individuals who prefer not to walk barefoot. Encourage guests to also remove their shoes upon entering, and provide a designated area for them to store their shoes. By making this a household habit, you can reduce the amount of dirt and germs tracked into your home and create a cleaner, healthier living environment.
How to Properly Store Cleaning Products to Avoid Accidents and Damage
To further prevent accidents, always store cleaning products in their original containers with labels intact.
Also, make sure to keep them out of reach of children and pets. When disposing of cleaning products, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations or local regulations for proper disposal. By organizing and storing cleaning products correctly, you can make cleaning more efficient and avoid any potential dangers.
How to Break the Habit of Hoarding Food in the Refrigerator
Consider adopting a “first in, first out” policy for your fridge, so that older items are used up before newer ones.
This helps to reduce food waste and ensures that you are consuming fresh food. Make it a habit to regularly check the expiration dates on packaged food and toss anything that has expired. Keep your fridge organized by grouping similar items together, using labeled containers, and using fridge organizers if necessary. This will make it easier to find what you need and reduce the likelihood of forgotten or hidden items going bad.
Leaving the Bed Unmade: A Bad Cleaning Habit to Break
Additionally, consider using a fitted sheet with a flat top sheet, as the flat sheet can be easily pulled up and tucked under the pillows for a crisp look.
And if you’re short on time, just straighten the covers and fluff the pillows for a quick fix. The simple act of making the bed each morning can set a productive tone for the rest of the day and lead to a more organized home overall.
*The information is for reference only.
