12 Things You Should Never Do When Cleaning

A well-kept house promotes quality indoor air, reduces stress, brings positivity, and keeps allergens and ailments at bay. Regular house cleaning chores help maintain an orderly and welcoming indoor environment. However, most homeowners make silly mistakes that cause more harm than good. All their efforts can be in vain, even if they are cleaning with the best intentions.

Thus, it is important to follow proven techniques and tools when sprucing up the dirt-laden abode. Many vacate cleaning Perth experts believe that tried-and-tested stain or grease removal methods can prevent surfaces from getting damaged or discoloured.

So, here are 12 things you should never do when cleaning your home. Instead of taking a shortcut, focus on leveraging the benefits of the right process that can deliver your desired results.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Dusting Surfaces Randomly

Mopping the floors first and dusting shelves and walls last is not an efficient way to spruce up a room. This can spread dust and debris on already cleaned surfaces and increase your workload.

Professionals always follow a top-to-bottom approach when performing budget vacate cleaning Perth. You should also start from your ceiling fans, walls, light fixtures, and fittings and work your way towards windows, blinds, door tracks, baseboards, and floors. This can save you time and energy.

2. Mixing Cleaning Products

Homeowners should avoid mixing cleaning products, especially store-bought ones that contain ammonia and bleach. Certain combinations can produce lethal fumes that can cause respiratory disorders, skin and eye infections and other serious health hazards. Here are some of the most common cleaning products you should never mix:

• Bleach + Ammonia Cleaners = This can cause chest pain or shortness of breathe
• Bleach + Vinegar = This can lead to burning, watery eyes, coughing, and breathing issues.
• Rubbing Alcohol + Bleach/Ammonia = Producing highly toxic fumes in your home.
• Drain Cleaners + Other Store-Bought Products = This can also be corrosive for household use.

3. Using Dirty  Cleaning Tools

Dirty cleaning tools, such as a microfiber cloth, vacuum cleaner, and mop, are less effective in tackling dirt, grime, and grease. Cleaning with a dirty sponge or rag can even cause cross-contamination, ruining all your efforts. These tools can further linger unpleasant odours due to the accumulation of debris and bacteria.

So, ensure you clean your cleaning tools and gadgets after every use. Wash your kitchen cleaning rags, sponges, brushes and cloths in hot water. For a vacuum cleaner, empty the bin and clean the filter to boost its efficiency and longevity.  Read the manuals that can assist you in noise management when using the gadget.

4. Skipping the Test Patch

Whether you are cleaning dirt-laden upholstery furniture or hardwood floors, always test the cleaning product on an inconspicuous spot first. This can prevent the surface from getting discoloured or damaged, especially delicate ones such as fabric, plush carpets, stone surfaces, painted walls, and polished wood surfaces.

5. Scrubbing Or Abrasively Rubbing Carpet Stains

Do not scrubbing or rubbing carpet stains abrasively. This can penetrate the stain further and damage or discolour the delicate fibre or fabric.

Instead, use a blotting technique using microfiber cloth or paper towel. It is good to act on spills immediately to remove excess moisture. After that, dampen a cloth in a cleaning solution and gently blot the surface.

6. Using Toxic Cleaning Products

There is no denying that fancy store-bought cleaners are effective in removing stains and grime without much elbow grease. However, excessive use can damage surfaces over time. In fact, exposure to ammonia, bleach, phosphates, and semi volatile organic compounds can cause harm to humans and the environment.

So, adopt green cleaning practices and replace your traditional cleaners with natural ones. Use white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, castile soap, essential oils and lemons to clean and disinfect your home.

7. No Cleaning Kitchen Appliances Inside and Outside

Neglecting kitchen appliances can turn into a rental dispute. You may even lose your hard-earned bond money. Ensure you clean inside and outside your kitchen appliances, such as vinegar and baking soda. Remove caked-on gunk, grease and grime inside of your microwave, oven, dishwasher and refrigerator to maintain the hygiene level of your home.

8. Washing Windows on A Sunny Day

First of all, you should never clean your windows on a sunny day. The direct heat causes the cleaning solution to dry quickly, leaving nasty streaks behind.

It is always good to wash your windows inside and outside on a cloudy day or in the evening when there is no direct sunlight. Also, use a rubber squeegee instead of a newspaper to wipe down the glass screen to achieve sparkling results and make your home energy-efficient via natural light and air.

9. Rushing Through the Task

Believe it or not, effective housecleaning requires time and elbow grease. When dislodging grease and grime, make sure you allow the product to sit for a few minutes. This will break down the gunk and make your work easier.

Also, prepare a proper house cleaning schedule—daily, weekly, monthly, and occasionally—to streamline the process.

10. Applying Abrasive Cleaner on Delicate Surfaces

White vinegar is one of the best natural cleaning agents for homes. However, it is not ideal for cleaning natural stone surfaces like marble, granite, limestone, etc. Similarly, abrasive sponges and pads can leave scratches on stainless steel and glass behind.

So, it is good to use non-abrasive cleaning supplies on delicate surfaces. You can use baking soda instead of vinegar to clean natural stone surfaces. Magic erasers can also do wonders in cleaning glass surfaces, stainless steel and walls.

11. Ignoring Home Ventilation

Before you begin the cleaning session, make sure you open windows and doors for proper ventilation. This can prevent you from inhaling the fumes of cleaning products and other cleaning solutions. Open your windows, especially when tackling mould and mildew stains.

12. Not Disinfecting Highly-Touched Spots

Removing visible dust and stains is not enough to achieve a clean and hygienic indoor environment. According to vacate cleaning Perth professionals, you should also need to disinfect high-touched surfaces to prevent cross-contamination. Use an approved disinfecting spray or dampen a cloth in rubbing alcohol to banish germs and bacteria from door knobs, light switches, handles, toilet flush, faucets and sinks, pet toys, etc.

Things to Avoid For a Clean and Shiny Home

Wrapping Up

These are 12 things you should never do when sprucing up your home. Follow the right strategies approved by professional cleaners and tackle dirt, grime, and germs to attain a sterile home.