November 2, 2021

7 Common Cleaning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

How many times have you cleaned and cleaned your house, yet it never seemed to be enough? If it happens regularly, you might be making some mistakes. Even if cleaning appears to be a simple task, doing it the right way can be a bit more challenging than expected. Especially now, when you must ensure that your home is properly cleaned and disinfected due to the coronavirus outbreak. Therefore, we put together a list of common cleaning mistakes and how to avoid them to help you improve your cleaning routine. Put them into practice and see how making simple changes can make a big difference.

#1 Cleaning the windows on the wrong day

The weather is warm, the sun is shining, a great day for cleaning the windows, right? Unfortunately, it’s wrong! Even if you believe that having enough light and warmth to do this task is sufficient, a sunny day is the total opposite. Sunlight falling directly on the windows can create the illusion of a clean window, even if it isn’t. Moreover, the heat can cause the cleaning product that you are using to evaporate faster and leave unaesthetic smudges. Therefore, to avoid having to wipe your windows twice, choose a cloudy day for this chore. It will help you see all of the smudges and clean the windows correctly. If you want to clean the windows during summer, but the sun shines every day, you can do it early in the morning or in the evening. Just make sure to have the proper light and temperature.

#2 Not cleaning the window shades properly

The window shades are a place where a lot of dust tends to accumulate. As a result, you should clean them regularly and correctly. First, you should dust them with a clean microfiber cloth. If you use a wet cloth, it can create mud stains that are harder to clean. Also, never use a feather duster. It will spread all the dust around the room instead of removing it. Then, after removing the dust from the shades, use a damp cloth to wipe away any remaining stains. In addition, you can use the vacuum cleaner to reach the upper parts that are harder to clean. Keep in mind, however, that you should always clean the window shades before the windows. If you clean the windows first, you might end up having to clean them again.

#3 Cleaning the carpets superficially

When it comes to common cleaning mistakes, we should discuss carpets. Cleaning them correctly often needs more attention to detail than you may expect. Vacuuming your carpet the right way, for example, requires techniques that not everyone is familiar with. As a result, here are some tips and tricks for cleaning your carpets.

• Start with a section of the carpet and vacuum in one direction. 
• Vacuum against the nap of the carpet to remove all debris that is buried in the fibers.
• Pull the vacuum back on that section to rearrange the fibers into place.
• Continue to the next piece of carpet, but overlap a little on the edge you just cleaned.
• After the whole carpet is vacuumed, repeat the process but from the opposite direction. 

This method requires a little more effort, but it will get the job done ten times better.

#4 Overlooking important details

These cleaning tips can also apply if you are moving to a new home. And if you are yet to become a homeowner and buy a new home in NYC, you should take additional precautions during the pandemic. Virus transmission risks are higher in densely populated areas, so having a disinfected house is very important. Even if the previous owners cleaned all of the rooms, some details are easy to overlook. So, before moving in, go through a thorough cleaning and disinfecting process. Particularly cleaning in the kitchen and bathroom, which are ideal places for germs and viruses to thrive. Behind the toilet, around the bathtub, behind the stove, on door handles and knobs, and so on. Make cleaning those areas a routine to keep yourself and your loved ones safe in your new home.

#5 Using the same cleaning items without washing them

A frequent cleaning mistake is reusing the same sponge or cloth for cleaning without washing it. Not only does it become a breeding ground for germs, but you also spread them throughout the house by using it repeatedly. As a result, you should use more than one cloth or sponge for the entire house. For example, you could use different colored cloths for each room and wash them after every use. Also, use two sponges for the bathroom and the kitchen and keep them in separate places. You don’t want to bring bathroom germs into the kitchen or the other way around. Making these simple changes will help you be more efficient when cleaning your home and keeping it germ-free.

#6 Using cleaning products improperly

There are so many cleaning products on the market that it can become hard to choose the right one for your home. Not to mention that some of them should not be mixed or used together. Therefore, carefully read the instruction labels and use the products in the proper way and quantity. If a product should be measured, don’t just pour it as you see fit. Or, if it needs to be diluted, make sure to use the appropriate dilution percentage. In the end, if you want to keep away from cleaning products, you can always find a cleaning service in New York that will do the cleaning job for you. In fact, they have personnel that has been trained to work safely with chemical substances so that you don’t need to. Let the professionals handle the hard work so that you can enjoy some free time.

#7 Cleaning in the wrong order

Even though it does not appear to be a significant aspect, how you begin cleaning might either be a mistake or not. Most people overlook this detail and end up working more on what should be a simple task. Usually, the cleaning process starts from the upper parts of the room and should end with the floors. As a result, start by cleaning the furniture, shades, and windows and work your way down. Dust and crumbs will fall to the floor, allowing you to swipe or vacuum them at the end. Of course, if you are doing a daily quick clean, you can only wipe the surfaces and vacuum after. Just keep in mind that there is a proper cleaning order so that you save some precious time instead of spending it on cleaning again.

In conclusion

What seems to be a simple task can end up becoming a source of frustration. Luckily, this article on common cleaning mistakes and how to avoid them might just be what you need. Make sure to read it before you clean your house and learn how to do it more efficiently.