Are You Cleaning Your House Wrong?

We hate to be the bearer of bad news but when it comes to cleaning there’s a right and wrong way to do it.

Clean the right way and your home will sparkle! But get it wrong and you could end up costing yourself precious time.

To help get you on the right path and benefit from a cleaner home this New Year, we’re sharing some of the common cleaning mistakes to avoid. We’ve also thrown in some of our expert tips to help speed up your cleaning routine and make the whole process a little more rewarding…

Common cleaning mistakes: Using too much spray

Hands up if you go a little crazy with the cleaning products? The more house cleaning products you use, the cleaner your house will be, right? Wrong!

Using excessive amounts of cleaning solution can be really counterproductive. Your cleaning cloths and mitts can’t handle it and will simply spread the product around, making your surfaces streaky. They’ll actually be less effective at removing dirt, so you may as well not clean in the first place.

Remember, a little cleaning solution goes a long way. Less is more!

Using a dirty cleaning cloth

There’s no point cleaning your home if you’re going to use a dirty cloth or sponge. You’ll simply spread dirt, grease and grime around your home, making it an unhealthy place to live.

Always work with a clean cloth. Rinse your sponges and cloths at regular intervals during your clean. And don’t forget to use separate cloths for different areas of your home to keep things hygienic.

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Forgetting to clean handles and knobs

You’d be surprised how many people clean their surfaces, cabinets and doors but forget to clean the knobs and handles. Think about how many times people in your household will have touched the handles and knobs on your doors, cupboards and appliances. Now think about how many germs are likely to be resting on there, waiting to spread all over your home. You’re right to shudder!

Make a habit of wiping down knobs and handles to avoid the spreading of germs and keep your home more hygienic.

Using abrasive cleaning products

We’ve already mentioned that overusing cleaning products can be counterproductive and the same goes for abrasive cleaning products like bleach.

Sure, bleach is great for disinfecting but it’s not always as effective at removing dirt and grime. It’s also very toxic. Do you really want nasty fumes polluting your home?

We’re moving towards a more eco-friendly way of cleaning and encouraging our clients and readers of this blog to do the same. If you make just one change to the way you clean this New Year, swap to more environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. There are plenty of fantastic alternatives to bleach out there, including lemon juice, tea tree oil and bicarbonate of soda. It only takes a couple of minutes research!

You’ll find eco-friendly solutions much safer for the family and just as effective at keeping your home sparkly clean.

Cleaning your floors first

Do you prioritise your floor cleaning? By vacuuming, mopping or steam cleaning your flooring first, you’re actually making more work for yourself! It's up there as one of the most common cleaning mistakes.

As soon as you start cleaning down your countertops and surfaces, you’ll spread dust, dirt and crumbs all over your freshly cleaned floors, putting you right back to where you started.

Always start from top to bottom. Dust your lampshades, shelving and cabinets first then move onto your worktops and surfaces. Finally, vacuum, mop or steam clean your floor. It’s the quickest and most effective way to clean your home.

Forgetting to empty the vacuum

How long have you been putting off emptying your vacuum? It’s a task that’ll take just a few minutes, yet it’s often something people dread doing, especially if it means taking a trip to the outside bin!

Unfortunately, you need to empty your vacuum canister every time you finish vacuuming. It’s important to get rid of all the dust and dirt so you can start fresh next time you clean.

If your vacuum has a bag, remember to change it regularly. Vacuum bags can quickly fill up and if you continue to use them, there’s a high chance they’ll burst. Not only that but it’ll make the suction on your vacuum far less effective, meaning it’ll take longer to vacuum. You may also find your vacuum leaves a rather unpleasant smell around your home and no one wants that!

Being unorganised

A lack of organisation can cost you significant time when cleaning your home.

Spend time organising your cleaning products so you know exactly where they are and have them to hand when you need them.

We’d suggest making a cleaning caddy for your cleaning supplies. All you need is a little basket or crate filled with all of your essentials i.e. microfiber cloths, homemade cleaning sprays, baking soda, old toothbrushes.

Remember to keep your cleaning caddy (or caddies) in a convenient location - close to the rooms you need them for. It’s always a sensible idea to store them up high and out of reach if you have children or pets in your home.

Not tidying before you clean

If your home isn’t tidy, you’ll struggle to clean it properly.

Try and pick up clutter when you see it rather than leaving it until later. It’s easier said than done when you have multiple things to juggle but it’ll save you time in the long run.

We’d also suggest becoming a ‘neat freak’ and having a place for everything. The quicker you can tidy up, the easier it will be to clean!

Get rid of anything you no longer need or use. Take items to the charity shop, do a car boot sale or sell them online. If they aren’t in a useable condition, see if they can be recycled.

Not having a cleaning schedule

Do you clean as and when you need to, rather than having a set schedule?

Although it may work for some, it could be costing you precious time and making the task of cleaning your home harder than it needs to be.

Don’t put off chores or leave them until the weekend. They’ll soon mount up and you’ll never get everything done.

Instead, create a simply daily cleaning routine that tackles tasks such as laundry, vacuuming and cleaning your kitchen and bathroom. Break each task down into smaller chunks so you don’t feel overwhelmed and they’re not taking over your entire day.

As a final tip, we’d suggest setting a time limit for your cleaning tasks. It works for professional cleaners and it could work for you too!

No time to even consider common cleaning mistakes? Hire us!

So there we have the top cleaning mistakes and tips on how to fix them. We hope you’ve found the post useful (and would appreciate a quick share on social media if you did!)

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But if you’re sat there thinking, that’s all well and good but I still don’t have time to clean my home, then perhaps we should do it for you? We have several customisable domestic cleaning packages for you to choose from and can arrange for our experienced and reliable cleaners to visit your home in Nottingham at a time that’s convenient for you. Simply head on over to our Regular Domestic Cleaning services page to learn more or if you’re ready to book click here.

Looking to hire a commercial cleaner in the New Year instead? We clean Nottingham offices and businesses too! Get a cleaning quotation online or give our team a call on 0115 971 3157 to discuss your requirements.

We look forward to cleaning for you!