Four Bad Cleaning Habits You Need to Break

Maintaining cleanliness in your home is important for your health. For some, it even improves their sanity. What we don’t realise is that some of our habits are detrimental to our cause. Usng a professional home cleaner might just be the thing if dont have the time to stay up to date with the checklist below.

1. Cleaning up a Mess Instead of Fixing the Cause

Mould can grow anywhere that is low in light with cool temperatures. Mould spores exist all around us but when they combine with moisture in a dark, damp spot, they grow and multiply.

Cleaning up mould is as simple as applying a bleach solution and wiping it away after allowing the bleach to set for several minutes. However, when you just clean up the mould instead of identifying its source, it is sure to reoccur.

The same can be said for water spots or puddles that accumulate in your home. Drying up the area with a towel is a breeze but you should investigate to find where the water is coming from. You could have a leaky window or a burst pipe.

2. Cleaning with Dirty Equipment

The tools that we use to clean are just as important as the cleaning agents we utilise. Kitchen sponges are the biggest culprit of spreading germs onto surfaces that we are trying to clean, especially after cleaning ovens or other appliances that get really grimey. After every use, thoroughly rinse your sponge with clean, hot water. Wring it of all of its moisture before storing it on a wire shelf where it can continue to dry.

There are some out there who suggest microwaving your damp sponge periodically to kill germs within it, but it’s best to replace your dish sponge every one to two weeks. The same procedure should be followed with other cleaning implements, including toilet brushes.

3. Not Using the Correct Product in the Right Amount

When you want to get something really clean, it seems logical to use a lot of cleaning agents. However, in most cases, using an excess of a cleaning solution will harm the surface that you’re trying to clean. More is less when cleaning.

Bleach should always be diluted in water. Applying straight bleach to surfaces will strip them of their colour and cause them to break down. Bleach and cleaners containing bleach are a popular choice among those looking to disinfect the surfaces they clean. However, bleach should never be used on wood, metal, or granite.

Ammonia-based cleaners are the next most common option for cleaning your home. Ammonia can be used on a wide variety of materials but it should never be mixed with bleach. Doing so could produce toxic gasses.

4. Allowing Messes to Accumulate

As we go about our daily lives, we create messes. Every time we cook, a pot is made dirty. Every item of clothing we wear will need to be washed after it has served its purpose. Spilled coffee, crumbs, and small dishes are all things that can be cleaned as they arise.

Cleaning up as you go results in a tidier home and less stress on the cleaner. If you keep up with the mess throughout the week, you won’t have to spend your entire weekend making your home right as rain.

Author Profile

Mark Wisken

Mark is a managing director at Optima Cleaners, but copywriting has been one of his passions for many years. When he's not hunched over his keyboard, you'll find Mark exploring quaint bookstores for inspiration or sipping espresso at his favorite local café, always on the hunt for the next big idea to ignite a brand's success. With a pen in one hand and a coffee cup in the other, Mark continues to captivate audiences and breathe life into every brand he touches.

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