9 Cleaning Mistakes You Didn’t Know You’re Committing
Cleaning is a form of exercise while maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of your home; however, most homeowners are not aware of some routine cleaning tricks are actually common cleaning mistakes.
27/11/2018
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You may find cleaning your house as a challenging task more than a fun and exciting one. However, it is worth doing right the first time, most especially if you need to rely on your own efforts. Cleaning is a form of exercise while maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of your home; however, most homeowners are not aware of some routine cleaning tricks are actually common cleaning mistakes. Here are some of them:
1. Not Cleaning the Vacuum
The vacuum is one of the most common cleaning tools available so it’s important to keep the filter free of dust. When you neglect cleaning or changing the vacuum filter in a while, it won't be able to pick up as much dust and dirt as it should because of the decreased suction of a dusty vent. The dirt might also be blown back into the air and to your house.
Include cleaning your vacuum in your monthly cleaning schedule. Empty or change canisters or vacuum bags right away once they are full. Using a damp microfiber cloth or a moist paper towel, wipe the vent, the hose, and vacuum attachments. But before doing so, make sure you that the vacuum is unplugged.
If you have pets around, there are specialized vacuum cleaners intended to remove dog hair or animal dander, but be sure to check robot vacuum reviews and tips before purchasing one.
2. Scrubbing Carpet Spills
Your carpet is one of the most challenging things to clean especially when spills happen. Spilled colored liquids like red wine, juice, or coffee could stain your carpet. When you come across these stains, don’t scrub the carpet spills because doing so will distort and untwist the carpet fibers. Remember that once the carpet fibers are damaged, it is permanent.
To deal with a carpet spill, you need to blot the spill using a paper towel until it is dry. After which, spot treat the affected area using a stain remover. Before doing spot treatment, be sure to test the product in a concealed area of the carpet to ensure it will not fade the color.
3. Using Too Much Water
Do not use too much water on your upholstery because some fabrics easily get damaged by water. Some upholstery furniture pieces don't get thoroughly dry which leads to mold or mildew. Don’t apply water to metal components because it will result in rust formation if unchecked. If you really need to use water, make sure that you immediately dry it with a dry and clean cloth.
4. Only Washing Your Cutting Board with a Dish Soap
Many homeowners use hot water and dish soap to remove visible food residue present in a cutting board. However, the cuts in plastic or wood cutting boards trap microorganisms and microscopic food particles. It becomes a breeding ground for bacteria which transfer to any food you'll prepare for your that cutting board. Plastic cutting boards tend to melt in hot and steamy water, and wooden cutting boards can crack and warp.
You need to soak your cutting board in a bleach solution (2 tbsp of bleach and 1 gallon of water) or hydrogen peroxide for about 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse with water and thoroughly dry.
5. Dusting Using a Dry Rag
It is not advisable to use a dry rag to dust your home décor and furniture items. It will just move the dirt around and dust around. You may use a soft duster or a microfiber cloth because it holds and grabs onto dust particles. Never use feather dusters because they are notorious for spreading dirt and dust around a surface. Instead of removing the dust, they are pushed off and fall to the ground.
6. Directly Spraying Cleaner on a Surface
The solution tends to accumulate if you spray a cleaner directly onto your furniture, glass or countertops. It leads to greasy surfaces and furniture as well as streaky windows. It causes the dust and dirt to stick to them firmly. Spray the cleaning solution on a disposable paper towel or microfiber cleaning cloth to wipe down surfaces.
7. Combining Cleaning Products
Most people make the mistake of combining cleaning products. Don't combine common cleaning products such as ammonia, detergent, and bleach. It can cause damage to your laminate, carpet, and other surfaces. Fumes resulting from combining different cleaning products can also pose a risk to your health.
8. Tossing Kitchen Tools into the Dishwasher
Smaller kitchen tools such as a zester, cheese grater, or garlic press have small nooks and crannies. Food particles are left in these tools causing mold, and they can get into food the next time you use them. It is best to wash these kitchen tools by hand using hot water and dish soap. Pay particular attention to small holes and corners.
9. Applying Furniture Polish Every Time
You don't have to apply furniture polish every time you dust because modern furniture pieces have a protective topcoat. Use a lightly damp microfiber cloth to dust. If you can't help using a polish, use the same product every time to help prevent residue build-up.
Conclusion
Your cleaning tasks can be a lot easier if you equip yourself with the right knowledge and skills of cleaning your household items properly. Cleaning can be fun and exciting if you do things the right way. It means not causing damage to any of your belongings and maintaining the clean and beautiful look of your home. Happy cleaning!