Common Cleaning Mistakes That We Should All Leave Behind
Cleaning can be super time consuming because somehow, my house gets messy incredibly fast, and there is always something to tidy up. There are so many rules about things such as which products should be used on what, and honestly, there are lots of things that we sometimes forget need cleaning, like bath toys.
Hopefully, this list of common cleaning mistakes will help you correct some things that you didn't even know you were doing wrong.
Using Dryer Sheets All The Time
Dryer sheets are a staple in practically every home. Yet, recent research has shown that always using dryer sheets can end up damaging your clothes, and they contain a potentially harmful chemical. There are lots of different alternatives to dryer sheets that you can find online, so don't sweat it.
You're Washing Your Pots While They're Hot
Washing a pan while it's still hot from cooking rapidly lowers the temperature and can cause the bottom of the pan to become uneven. This means that it won't sit on the burner correctly. Washing your pans too quickly can also cause the pan to crack over time, which will eventually ruin it.
Never Cleaning Your Dishwasher
I'm definitely guilty of this. My roommates and I just assumed that a dishwasher cleans itself every time it cleans the dishes. In reality, you should clean your dishwasher once a month. Yikes. But, there's an easy way to clean your dishwasher. First, inspect the dishwasher drain, then running the dishwasher on hot using a cup of vinegar & baking soda.
Washing Your Windows On A Sunny Day
It turns out that glass cleaner actually dries up much more quickly in direct sunlight, resulting in streaks on window panes. So, the best time to clean windows is late afternoon or evening, or when the skies are overcast.
You Wash Your Cast Iron Pan With Soap
ALL pans need to be washed with soap after using them, right? Actually, no. Many people stick by the fact that cast-iron pans shouldn't be washed like a normal pan because it'll strip the pan’s seasoning. Instead, you can just use hot water and kosher salt.
Not Taking It Slow When You Vacuum
I know that we all want to finish vacuuming as quickly as possible, but it's actually best to take it slow. Vacuuming slowly will get your rugs and carpets much cleaner (hooray!), and allow your machine to suck up more dirt and dust. This way, you hopefully won't have to vacuum as often, which is a huge plus.
You're Rubbing, Instead of Blotting
For removing stains from a carpet, ALWAYS blot the stain with an absorbent cloth or paper towel. Press firmly and please, for the sake of your rug, do not rub at the stain, as rubbing can further spread the stain!
Using A Large Quantity of Product When You Clean
I totally get wanting your home to be as clean as possible, but you won't get that if you use way too much of your sprays each time you clean. Your surfaces collect more residue this way, and this will actually make them look less clean than if you just used the recommended amount!
Wrongly Using Your Dishwasher
Here are a few dishwasher tips for you: Avoid putting too many dishes in, alternate the direction of your silverware to help with water flow, and put plastics on the top. In order to avoid damage to your items, keep in mind that it's best to handwash sharp knives as well as wooden cutting boards & utensils.
Not Cleaning Your Kids' Bath Toys
Aww, look at her little face and her spikey hair. Anyways, when you forget to thoroughly dry bath toys, they become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Keep them out in the open to air dry, and be sure to wash them every once in a while by filling a bucket with equal parts vinegar and warm water (and a few drops of tea tree oil or lemon oil if you want). Let them soak for an hour, and rinse each toy with tap water. Finally, allow them to air dry!
Using Harsh Countertop Cleaners on Granite and Marble Surfaces
Avoid using vinegar, Windex, or bleach on marble surfaces at all costs. Vinegar-based cleaners are too harsh for granite and other natural stones, and they can dull the stone over time. Instead, use a gentle cloth, and non-acidic cleaners to protect and seal these surfaces. Your beautiful stone surfaces will thank you, trust me!
You Never Wash Your Pillows
Bed pillows collect more germs than many areas of your home, and the poor things shouldn't always be excluded on laundry day. Make it a habit to wash your pillows at least twice a year. But, always pay attention to manufacturer cleaning labels before washing, as different types of pillows require different cleaning techniques.
Using Too Much Detergent While Doing Laundry
Sometimes, less really is better than more. It took me a little while to wrap my head around this one, but it turns out that using too much detergent can badly affect your clothes, leave an odor in the washing machine from the trapped excess residue, and affect the draining mechanism of your laundry machine. So, yeah, always use the recommended amount, and nothing more!
You Don't Use The Reusable Straw Cleaning Hack
Reusable straws have become very popular in recent years, and they can be quite annoying to clean. If your straw does not come with a straw cleaner, a pipe cleaner covered in dish soap will do, and there are also tons of Amazon products for straw cleaning brushes.
You Always Wipe Your Kitchen Counters With The Same Cloth
The countertops are usually the last thing on the cleaning checklist, but never use a dirty cloth or used dishtowel to clean them. Even though it'll look clean, you'll just be spreading more germs around if you clean your countertop with a dirty cloth. Use a clean cloth and wash it after, or use a single sanitization wipe.
Forgetting To Clean Your Vacuum
Even if you have one of those cool robot vacuums that do all of the work for you, you still need to remember to clean out your vacuum! If you don't clean your vacuum, each time you use it, you could end up pushing dirt all over your floors instead of sucking it up.
Forgetting To Clean Your Mop After Using It
After being used, mops and buckets should not just be thrown back into the closet. This way, they will accumulate germs and bacteria. One method is to create a cleaning solution of half hot water, half bleach (alternatively: vinegar, or three percent hydrogen peroxide) in a clean bucket, and soak the submerged mop head for 15 minutes. Rinse the mixture from the mop until the water runs completely clear, then allow the mop to dry. You're welcome!
Not Making Your Bed Right When You Get Up
For the longest time, I never made my bed. But, a friend of mine once told me that making your bed right when you get up is a great way to start your day. It only takes a few minutes tops, and we all know first-hand that a bedroom looks so much cleaner when the bed is nice and tidy.
Making Mistakes With Your Disinfectant Wipes
Disinfecting wipes can help get rid of germs within your home, but lots of them contain EPA-registered pesticides. Do your research when using them, and even though we all want to be less wasteful for the environment, do not keep reusing a single wipe because you are moving germs from one surface to another!
