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10 cleaning mistakes that make the house messier

10 cleaning mistakes that make the house messier

Cleaning, though exhausting, can be either a nightmarish or a fun project. It is fun because you know your efforts result in a sparking and clean house. It could become a nightmare if you do not set your goals or execute them well. There are some common mistakes that you may make accidentally or make without realizing it. Such mistakes can make your house dirtier than before. Here are some cleaning mistakes that you should take note of:

Using dirty tools
Rags and towels are the most versatile tools for cleaning. However, if they are dirty, unwashed, or moist, they can not only leave streaks on the cleaned surface. Dirty rags leave a nasty smell all around the house. Discard old and dirty rags, and take up different types of soft cloth, microfiber towels, and clean dusters for the house. Also, have separate towels for kitchens, counters, living rooms, toilets, and basins. You can use paper towels if you can or use different colored towels. By doing this, there is no way you can use the bathroom towel for your kitchen. Sponges may clean well, but they can also hide bacteria and germs for a long time. Dry and disinfect a sponge thoroughly before using it again. Microfiber towels or old soft fabric from your discarded clothing are best suited as they can be thoroughly cleaned in your washer.

Clean the vacuum
Whatever type of vacuum you have, clean the dust bag and wipe the attachments to remove any dust or debris. If the dust bag is half full, it can affect the suction power and may send the dust in the bag into your house. If you have a mopping vacuum, ensure that the cloth is not moist and does not carry and foul odor. An unclean cloth can leave streaks on your floor and also leave a terrible odor that is difficult to remove.

Using dusters too much
Though versatile, Dusters may spread the dust all around the area. Use dusters only for reaching objects in higher places, like ceiling fans or cupboard tops. For the rest of the surfaces, microfiber cloth is ideal as it cleans well and does not leave any streaks on the surfaces—complete dusting throughout the house. Then do a thorough round of vacuuming in the same order as you dusted.

Cleaning the floor first
If you notice that your floor needs more cleaning than the ceiling, walls, windows, furniture, or counters, do not start cleaning the floor. Finish dusting and cleaning higher surfaces as the dust and dirt settle on the floor. Finally, use a vacuum or brooms to remove the dust and debris from the floor.

Rubbing stains hard
When you notice any spill, you tend to grab a rag and rub the stain hard as a reflex action. The stain may spread and also become ingrained into the floor, upholstery, or carpet. Instead of rubbing the stain, use a clean rag cloth. Blot the spill gently and use an appropriate stain-removing product to remove the stain completely.

Directly using solutions on surfaces
It may be convenient and easy for you to spray the cleaning solution on the area and wipe it off with a cloth. It is not advisable as the germs and bacteria present on the surface may become airborne and can infect you. You can spray the solution into the cleaning cloth and wipe the surface, so the germs are trapped. You can also add the solution to a bucket of water, dip a cloth in it and wipe the surface clean. If you use the second method, ensure you wear gloves to avoid contact with germs. Once you use the cloth, rinse it with water and dip it in the bucket again.

Keeping windows closed
Whether you use organic or chemical cleaning solutions, ensure that you keep the windows and doors open. It can help the fumes and odors from such products escape outside. Leave the room, keeping the windows, shutters, or doors open for adequate ventilation. Once all the areas are dry, you can close them. If you cannot open the windows, use a fan or an air purifier.

Leaving loose ends
Cleaning your home can be exhausting. Always clean the tools, vacuum, buckets, mops, gloves, and toilet brushes. Set them back in their places once they are dry. Stacking wet tools can attract bacteria, mold, and bad odor. If you use the same tools the next time, you may be causing more mess than actual cleaning.

Top disinfectant sprays
You can choose an exhaustive range of cleaning products that are safe and non-toxic for humans and pets. If there are family members with allergies, check the ingredient list for possible allergy triggers or choose hypoallergenic cleaning products: Some top disinfectant sprays include,

  • Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner
  • Greenways Organic All-Purpose Cleaner
  • Go from Greenshield Organic Multi-Surface Cleaner
  • Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner
  • Seventh Generation Free and Clear All Purpose Cleaner
  • FIT Organic Pet Stain and Odor Remover

These mistakes make cleaning a tougher job than it actually should be, so avoid the above issues to make sure your house is spotless!

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Avoid these 10 cleaning mistakes

It might sound surprising, but there are some wrong ways of cleaning your home. While your living spaces may look cleaner even with these ineffective methods, you might just help the breeding of bacteria or set yourself up for more cleaning! So, take a minute to think about your cleaning routine and how you can make it more effective. Avoid these cleaning mistakes to make your home look fresher and cleaner for a long time.Using too much laundry detergent or softenerUsing too much detergent doesn’t make your clothes cleaner. Instead, you may find traces of leftover detergent after the wash. It is also important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for fabric softener, as too much softener may make the fabrics stiff and greasy.Overloading the dishwasherAdding too many utensils to your dishwasher may affect its ability to clean well. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when loading the dishwasher.Using the same rag everywhereEven if your rag or cleaning cloth does not look old, it must be replaced regularly to avoid spreading dirt or germs across surfaces. You may switch to a microfiber towel in combination with a disinfectant spray.Not cleaning out the vacuumIt is important to regularly clean out the waste bag in your vacuum cleaner to effectively clean up a space. Otherwise, you will just end up pushing dirt around!Using furniture polish to dustAlthough furniture polish can make surfaces look clean and shiny, it must be used sporadically. It tends to have a higher concentration of oil, which can make fingerprints more prominent on smooth surfaces and make your home look unkempt. Instead, it is best to clean furniture with a barely damp cloth.Spraying cleaners directly on electronicsDirectly spraying cleaners onto devices like laptops, cell phones, or TVs may be damaging. Instead, spray the cleaner onto a clean microfiber cloth and then wipe the surface with it.Ignoring remote controlsThis is one of the most common cleaning mistakes to avoid. The remote controls around the house may be managed by multiple people a day. So, be sure to clean and sanitize them well.Using dish soap on wooden cutting boardsCutting boards need to be cleaned more carefully, as they may lead to cross-contamination, especially after chopping meats. Instead of relying on soap and warm water, soak the board in a bleach solution to clean it well.Scrubbing stains out of carpetsScrubbing a stain on upholstery can damage the fabric. So, avoid this cleaning mistake, and instead, blot as much of the spill as possible with a paper towel. Rinse it well and blot dry again. Use a carpet stain remover if required.Forgetting to take out the trashClearing out the trash regularly will help you maintain a clean home. But this isn’t enough; leaks or tears in the bag may cause spills inside the can. Remember to wipe down the trash can with a bleach cleaning solution to ward off any undesirable smells from your home. If you are using harsh chemicals in your cleaning routine, make sure you wear gloves during the process and don’t forget to ventilate the room once you are done cleaning. This can help you stay safe and not inhale any toxic fumes. So, avoid these cleaning mistakes to make sure your home remains healthy and hygienic.

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5 mistakes to avoid for better vacuuming

When buying your vacuum cleaner, you probably imagined and assumed that your home would be sparkling clean, just as in the commercials. However, reality may have been a disappointment. You may not have been able to use the appliance to its fullest potential or might be making some mistakes while using it. To ensure you get the best for your buck, here are five common mistakes to avoid while using a vacuum cleaner: Using the vacuum cleaner scarcely Your vacuum cleaner can clean the tiniest speck of dirt, but it cannot prevent new dust from settling in. If cleaning is a weekend task for you, or you do it only when you have time, you may not be doing it right. Vacuuming your floors daily is essential as the dust and debris accumulating in one day can be quite high. If you cannot vacuum daily, you can sweep the floors instead. This will remove dust and debris like scraps of paper or hair that may accumulate around the house, under the carpet, furniture, and behind doors. Sweeping the floors daily, vacuuming the floor three to four times a week, and vacuuming the complete house once a week can keep your house sparkling clean. Dusting after you complete vacuuming Many individuals dust the house after vacuuming. The dust from the ceiling may settle on the desks, tables, and floors. While family members walk around the house, they may leave footprints or streaks on the floor. The right order of cleaning is to dust the furniture, desks, tables, windows, and doors first. The dust is likely to settle in 10 minutes. Wait for some time and run the vacuum on the floors so that it can remove every bit of dust and grime. Vacuuming right after dusting can unsettle the dust and send it back to higher surfaces. Vacuuming in a hurry Vacuum cleaners are efficient machines, provided you use them right away. You need to run the vacuum up and down more than once to remove the dust from it. It is particularly important to do this on carpets, under furniture, near doors and windows and in other high-footfall areas, where the dust is likely to be more. Running the vacuum only once or doing it quickly will not remove the dust, and you might end up with shoddy results. Take the time and vacuum slowly and steadily for the best results. When you vacuum in a hurry, you could miss crucial spots where debris tends to gather. For example, a hurried cleaning may not remove dust mites, pet dander, or fur that could be caught up in your upholstery, curtain, bedding or under the carpet. Not doing the right prep work Once you decide to vacuum, do you plug the machine and start immediately? If yes, then that is a mistake that you should avoid. It takes a few minutes, but you must do some prep work before vacuuming. The prep work allows you to finish cleaning at a stretch without frequent disruptions. Know your vacuum attachments well and their purpose of getting the best result Clear the space by picking up large pieces of debris in the space you want to clean. Plug in the vacuum and start from the opposite end of the room. By doing this, you will finish near the socket and not have to tread on the cleaned floor to remove the plug. Pick the right power setting based on the surface you are cleaning. Always clean from top to bottom and choose the attachments and brushes accordingly. The best way to vacuum is in the shape of a W. First, vacuum away from you in a straight line. Pull the vacuum back towards you at an angle, creating a V. Repeat the process so that it looks like a W or a chain of Vs. Not knowing what should not be vacuumed A vacuum cleaner commercial or salesperson may promise that the vacuum can clean anything and any surface. If you have read the manual, you may know that the appliance has limitations and cannot be used for some objects and surfaces. These products could clog the pipes, damage the dust bag, break the plastic in the machine, aid in mold and mildew inside the vacuum, or cause a scratch in the insides. The things and objects that should not be vacuumed are: Glass pieces Fine dust like construction residue Pet poop Liquids Fireplace ash Makeup Coins Small clips and other sharp objects Used coffee grounds Garden and plant debris Electrical wires and cords Soil Hair clumps (strands of hair are safe) Shredded paper. Tips for maintaining a vacuum cleaner Clean the appliance frequently to extract optimum performance and ensure that it is durable and gives you good value for money. Some useful tips for maintaining your vacuum cleaner in good condition are: Clean the vent covers Keep the filters clean Remove hair, string, and yarn from the roller brushes after every cleaning Replace the belt annually Do not forget to replace the dust bag when it is about 80% full Wipe the outsides with a mild detergent and cloth Monitor the performance closely to foresee problems Wipe or wash the brushes and dry them well before reuse

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