7 Most common cleaning mistakes
Many of us are is such a hurry to finish our household chores, that we don’t stop to think if we are cleaning our homes correctly.
So, we have gathered the 7 most common cleaning mistakes from our professional homecleaners based in Canary Wharf and our meticulous housekeepers in Maida Vale.
You may be surprised, but if you avoid these common mistakes you will save yourself time and effort when keeping your homes clean and tidy!
1. Washing windows on a sunny day
Do you often choose a sunny afternoon to roll up your sleeves and wash the windows?
While it may seem like the ideal time, it is in fact entirely counterproductive. Direct sunlight tends to dry the glass too quickly, leaving your windows with unwanted streaks. So, the next time you are planning to wash your windows be sure to choose a cloudy day, to avoid ruining all your hard work!
2. Using a feather duster
Keeping on top of dust feels impossible, it appears out of nowhere and manages to materialise in every corner of the house. So, it’s no wonder, regular dusting is a must-have on every housekeeping checklist. However, you may have been tackling the dust with the wrong tool!
Whilst they are traditional, feather dusters simply spread dust from one surface to another, rather than actually removing it. A microfibre cloth is a great and effective alternative!
3. Scrubbing carpet stains
When we spill a glass or wine or a cup of coffee on the carpet, our instant reaction is to scrub the stain out as quickly as possible. However, scrubbing the carpet is one of the most common cleaning mistakes and can actually cause more harm than good.
Scrubbing damages the carpet fibres, causing them to fray, and pushes the stain further into the carpet. It may seem more tedious, but gently blotting the stain with a dry towel or absorbent cloth is much more effective as it will lift the liquid out from the carpet.
4. Neglecting your cleaning equipment
Whether we book a cleaner or have a weekly cleaning schedule, we all make an effort to keep our home clean and tidy. But, how often do we clean our cleaning equipment?
Believe it or not, many studies have found that the average kitchen sponge has more bacteria than a toilet!
Cleaning with sponges and dishcloths full of potentially harmful bacteria will only cause this bacteria to spread throughout your home. So, be sure to get into the habit of cleaning your sponges and cloths a few times a week and replace them completely every 2-3 weeks!
5. Overloading the dishwasher
Often, we try to maximise the number of dishes we can squeeze into the dishwasher before putting it on. While it is not economical to switch on a half-filled dishwasher, overloading the dishwasher can prevent your dishes from being properly cleaned. As the water jets are unable to reach every dish. So, to avoid the time and effort of having to wash your plates twice, be sure to find a middle ground the next time you are loading the dishwasher!
6. Using vinegar to clean everything
Green cleaning is a growing trend. It is a great way to save money and reduce the usage of commercial cleaners filled with toxic chemicals.
White vinegar is a staple in every natural cleaning kit. While it is a great natural cleaner and can be used from deodorising, to removing limescale, be sure to remember it cannot be used for everything! Avoid using vinegar to clean your iron, as it can damage the inside components. You should also never use vinegar to clean granite or marble worktops, as its natural acidic quality can cause the worktops to lose their shine!
7. Forgetting your rubber gloves
We are often in such a hurry to get our housework done, that we don’t stop to think about what all this cleaning is doing to our skin. Not wearing rubber gloves may seem harmless, but in reality, our skin is extremely absorbent. If our cleaning products are strong enough to clean away tough stains, think about what these may be doing to our skin. The damage won’t be immediate, but overtime they can cause significant damage. Rubber gloves serve as a barrier to protect our skin, so be sure to use them every time you clean!