Common cleaning mistakes
Our parents may have done most of the household chores while we were kids, but there comes a time when we all evolve into responsible adults and help out whenever the opportunity arises. If you think cleaning simply involves busting out a cloth and wiping, well – you’ve got a lot more to learn.
Unbeknownst to us, some chores such as scrubbing out carpet stains and wiping down windows on a sunny day may actually be making things dirtier. So before you do another round of chores, check out these common cleaning mistakes, along with ways we can avoid doing it again in the future.
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1. Cleaning windows on a sunny day
Some chores like leaving the laundry out to dry are better done on sunny days – after all, a hot day = faster drying time. And by that logic, we may think the same applies to tasks like cleaning our windows as well.Â
Unfortunately, that concept isn’t true. The heat will cause the chemicals in our cleaning products to dry too rapidly, which may leave unsightly smears or streaks on your window pane.
The right way: The best time to clean your windows would be on a cloudy day when the temperature isn’t too warm. But if you’re in the midst of a hot and dry spell, you can opt to wipe your windows down in the morning or evening when it’s cooler.Â
2. Soaking your wooden floors when you mop
Wooden floors are essential if you’re gunning for those rustic vibes at home. But unlike marble or concrete floorings, wooden floors will require extra care with a special set of do’s and don’ts, with the most important one being to avoid using excessive water while mopping.
Reason being, wood absorbs water, which causes swelling and cracking. Hardwood floors that are supposedly waterproof aren’t exempt from this rule either, as the water may still ruin the finish and damage the wooden fibres.
The right way: Dry mop with a microfibre mop as much as possible. On days when the floor feels particularly mucky, make sure that your mop is only slightly damp before using it – you can get rid of the excess water with a mopping bucket that comes with a spin or wringer.
3. Rubbing or scrubbing stains out of your carpets
Spilling something can be a panic-inducing moment – especially when you see a big, ugly stain gradually spreading on your beautiful carpet.Â
But before you get on your knees and scrub the life out of your carpet, remember that doing so will a) ruin the carpet fibers, and b) cause the liquid to soak deeper into the carpet. You won’t just be compromising your carpet’s lifespan, but you’ll also be making the stain increasingly difficult to get rid of.
The right way: Being gentle but quick is key while dealing with carpet stains. As soon as the stain happens, spray some detergent onto a cloth and dab at the stain. As the stain begins dissolving, get a damp cloth and dab again to remove the excess detergent.
4. Putting a toilet brush back into its holder immediately after use
Scrubbing the toilet bowl is icky business, and in our haste to finish the deed, we tend to throw the toilet brush back into its holder right after rinsing the yucky stuff out.Â
However, doing so while the brush is still damp makes it easier for mould and bacteria to grow. And if you continually clean with the same brush, you’ll be leaving traces of mould, bacteria, and not to mention, fecal matter all around your toilet bowl.
The right way: After cleaning, give your brush a thorough rinse to get rid of the grime. After that, let the brush dry first before putting it back into the holder – you can place it under sunlight to dry off and prevent bacterial growth.
5. Spraying your cleaning product directly onto the surface
Cleaning products should be sprayed onto a cloth or paper towel first before wiping
We may think that spraying disinfectant directly onto our surfaces helps us make full use of the product. But by spritzing it all over, we tend to use way more than what we need, which leads to wastage.
And with excessive product left on the surface, this might cause a buildup of the solution – especially if you don’t have a habit of wiping it off with a damp cloth. The residue left behind by these products can attract dirt and cause microbes to grow, making your surfaces even dirtier than it was.
The right way: Spray your product onto a cloth first. This way, you’re less likely to use as much product as you would as compared to spraying it onto your surface. Once you’re cleaned your surfaces, wipe it down again with a damp cloth to get rid of excess residue.
6. Cleaning floors first
Every household has their own cleaning routines, but if you’re one of those people who prioritises mopping the floor first, here’s why you need to reorder this step. By doing chores like dusting and wiping after you mop, you’ll be knocking dirt, dust, and food crumbs onto the floor you’ve already cleaned – which means you’ll need to mop again.
The right way: It’s best to leave the floor alone until you’ve cleaned everything else – that way, you’ll be able to collect all the dirt from nooks and crannies on the ground before cleaning it all at one go.
7. Cleaning windows with newspaper
Back when microfibre towels weren’t a thing, using newspapers to wipe down our windows was a common practice. It was cheap, accessible, and it didn’t leave lint in its wake like rags did, which made it a popular cleaning tool in households across the world.
The lesser-known downside to using newspapers in place of cloth: newspaper ink can smudge. While it’s not likely to stain the glass panes, it can still smear your window frames – and getting rid of these unsightly marks won’t be an easy feat.Â
The right way: Microfibre towels are your best bet as they won’t leave lint on your window panes. Alternatively, you can also use a brown paper bag, sponges, or squeegees.
Cleaning mistakes that are common
Cleaning your home may seem like a straightforward task, but these common mistakes show that it isn’t as easy as it looks. Be sure to keep these in mind for future cleaning sprees, lest your house becomes filled with ink stains, buildup, and dust piles.
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