How many of these 7 common cleaning mistakes are YOU making?

Believe it or not, there are right and wrong ways to clean your home.

The routines you use to clean your home may just seem like second nature, you’ve possibly never stopped to think if you’re doing it right, or if it could be done, more effectively.

But there are actually right and wrong ways to dust, mop, and scrub. worried now that you’re been cleaning incorrectly this whole time?

Read on to see the top 7 common cleaning mistakes you are making and find out how you can fix them.

1. Not looking after your sponge.

Kitchen sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria if not used properly.

They should only ever be used for washing up. Use a separate cloth for cleaning kitchen surfaces to avoid spreading bacteria around.

Keeping your sponge dry between uses will also reduce bacteria build-up and stop it from getting slimy.

Depending on how often you wash up, I’d recommend replacing your sponge at least once a month. Sooner if you’ve been scrubbing lots of dirty pans. As soon as it starts to look iffy, toss it.

2. Putting it off

It’s tempting to put off cleaning larger appliances, like the oven, until it seems an almost impossible chore.

Instead, take a few minutes every day to wipe down the insides of your fridge, microwave, and oven. This will prevent dirt and grease from building up

It’s so difficult to get on top of clutter once it’s built up. Spend ten minutes on an evening putting everything back where it belongs if you have children, get them into the habit of putting their toys away once playtime is over.

3. Not loading your dishwasher correctly

If you overload your dishwasher or load plates too close together, they won’t get a proper clean.

The most common reason dishwashers break down is bits of food blocking the drain, scrape them well into the bin first. Take out the filter and clean it once a month.

Familiarise yourself with the error messages e.g most dishwashers will display an error message you need to add more dishwasher salt.

it’s also recommended to run your machine on a ‘clean cycle’ once a month

4. Using the same cloth in every room

This is a really common mistake, but if you use a cloth to clean say, your kitchen, even after it’s been through the washing machine if you use the same cloth to clean your kitchen, you could be spreading bacteria around.

Use a color-coded system for your cloths. I use red for the bathroom, white for kitchen worktops, and green for everywhere else.

5. Spraying cleaning product directly onto appliances

Not only can this damage your appliances, but you’ll also end up using way more product than you need.

A small amount sprayed onto your cleaning cloths is all you need.

6. Mopping wooden floors

Any water will damage wooden flooring, causing it to swell and crack. Never use a traditional or steam mop on wooden flooes.

Instead, sweep or hoover and clean with a barely damp cloth if needed

7. Not looking after your hoover

Remember to clean and empty your hoover regularly. A full hoover will lose suction. Also, check brushes for hair or other obstructions that can damage your hoover.

In conclusion

Ineffective or incorrect cleaning could be costing you time and money, and in some cases, you could actually be doing more harm than good. Always read the manuals for your dishwasher, hoover, etc and follow the instructions for use when using cleaning products. If in doubt, test on a small, less noticeable area first.