Back in the day, a lot of people swore by cleaning routines that seemed to work like magic, at least, that’s how they remembered it. But after talking to a few friends and family (including some self-proclaimed “clean freaks”), it turns out some of those old habits weren’t doing much good at all. In fact, a few of them might have been making things worse without anyone realizing it.
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Using too much cleaning spray
Some people get trigger happy with the spray nozzle. It may feel like you’re working hard by soaking a counter or window with cleaner, but in many cases, the opposite is true. Excess spray can leave behind a film on the surface that attracts dust and dirt, which will just make the surface dirtier all over again.
Disinfecting without cleaning first
When a surface is coated with crumbs, dust, or grease, the disinfectant can’t do its job because dirt prevents it from actually killing the germs it’s supposed to. You have to clean, then sanitize or disinfect.
Feather dusters for deep cleaning
They might look fancy and fun to use, but they mostly just shuffle dust into the air. A microfiber cloth dampened with water can actually do a better job than a feather duster.
Vacuuming in straight lines only
Straight lines are very satisfying to the eye and may give you the illusion that you have vacuumed a carpet or rug thoroughly. In reality, you may have missed debris lodged deep in the fibers that need more than one pass and going in different directions to get out.
Mopping with super-hot water
Hot water is supposed to kill germs, right? Well yes. But scalding hot water will damage certain surfaces and can sometimes set stains rather than remove them. Use caution when selecting the temperature you use for mopping.
Cleaning windows on a sunny day
When the sun is shining on the window, the cleaner evaporates too quickly, and it will leave behind streaks and residue. Wait for a cloudy day to get the cleanest windows.
Pouring bleach on everything
Bleach is a disinfectant, and many people think it works as a cleaner. It does not. Bleach alone will not clean away dirt and germs and can damage some surfaces if used inappropriately. Mix bleach and water as instructed for proper disinfecting.
Using paper towels for mirrors and glass
Paper towels are fine for many uses, but they will leave lint behind on glass, and lint is not an attractive sight on an otherwise sparkling surface. Use a microfiber cloth instead.
Overloading the washing machine
Everyone wants to save time and energy, but a washer that is jam-packed will not properly rinse clothes and will leave them dingy and gray. Wash loads to capacity and make sure they come out clean.
Air fresheners instead of actual cleaning
Air fresheners are useful for deodorizing and adding a touch of fragrance to an environment, but they don’t actually clean away or remove the cause of the odor. You have to remove the source of the smell.
Scrubbing carpets like crazy after a spill
A carpet stain or spill might feel as if it should be attacked vigorously and scrubbed free, but too much friction can grind the stain in deeper and damage carpet fibers. Blot the stain first, treat gently, and then trust your cleaner to do the work.
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