For most people, cleaning is one of most hated of household chores. Understandably, since we spend up to 26 hours a week (
newsshopper.co.uk) doing the same time-consuming, labour-intensive jobs just to maintain and keep our homes clean. And when you do find the time and motivation to break out the vacuum and duster, you may be unconsciously doing things that can actually sabotage your best efforts.
We’ve rounded up some of the most common mistakes that people make while cleaning and how to avoid these habits.
Spraying cleaners directly onto surfaces
Depending on the surface and the harshness of the cleaning products you’re using, spraying or applying cleaners directly onto the surface you’re cleaning before wiping it down can actually cause damage to the surface. In addition, spraying directly releases more of the harsh cleaning chemicals into the air, which can be irritating to people with asthma or allergies.
Instead, use
cleaning products that contain less harsh chemicals or alternatively, spray your cleaner onto a cleaning cloth before wiping the surface.
Using the same cloth for every job
Do you use the same cloth to clean your kitchen counters, scrub the bathrooms, spot clean the floor and wash the windows? This is a big no-no. You don’t want to take grease off the kitchen counters and bring it into the bathroom, and vice versa.
We recommend using different coloured microfiber towels so that you can colour-code your cleaning cloths by room and task.
Considering a rinsed sponge or cloth clean
When cleaning, your sponge or cloth picks up a lot of dirt and germs that become ingrained in the material. A quick rinse under the tap after cleaning isn’t enough. If not cleaned properly, they can quickly turn into a breeding ground for bacteria and become stinky.
It is recommended to throw your sponge in the dishwasher or your cloths in the washing machine at least once a week, replacing them as soon as they discolour or become too grimy to use.
Cleaning windows with newspaper
The most common cleaning mistake that people unknowingly make is cleaning their windows with newspaper. While the paper itself doesn’t cause damage to the glass, the ink can be transferred when the paper gets wet, leaving marks behind.
If you’re going to use paper to wipe your windows, we recommend a brown paper bag instead. Alternatively, enquire about our
professional window cleaning services to get the job done right.
Vacuuming pet fur without an attachment
If you have pets that tend to shed a lot of hair, standard vacuuming (especially on wood or tile floors) will only blow the fur around, instead of sucking it up. For a more controlled suction, a wand or brush attachment will do the job.
For carpets that often trap fine fur or stains, we recommend enlisting the help of
professional carpet cleaners to help out.
Cleaning too quickly
Nobody wants to spend hours cleaning every little nook and cranny, but when you rush through your cleaning tasks, you’re most likely not giving your home the cleaning it really needs. Ultimately, your home may look neat, but have you really addressed the germs and allergens lurking out of sight?
Trying to do it all yourself
At the end of the day, cleaning is no easy feat. And we know that there’s probably a hundred other things you’d rather be doing with your time. If you want to take the load off your shoulders while giving your home the best clean it’s ever had – call in The Specialists for general house cleaning or office cleaning services.
Click here to get a cleaning quote 
