11 Cleaning Mistakes Making Your Home Dirtier

Do you despise cleaning? Of course, you do!

But how would you feel if some of your regular chores were actually making your home dirtier?

It’s time to simplify your routine.

11 Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

If you’ve been cleaning your home for many years, you probably have a solid routine that you rarely stray from.

We’re about to burst your bubble, sharing some of the more common cleaning mistakes that could be making your housework routine tougher than it needs to be.

Get ready to be surprised and inspired to shake things up a little.

Here we go!

1. Pre-rinsing dishes

We all do it. But did you know that pre-rising your dishes before you put them in the dishwasher could be affecting the efficiency of your machine.

Choice whitegoods expert Ashley Iredale explains why.

"Not only does pre-rinsing push your water consumption way up, but it can also actually trick your dishwasher into thinking your plates are cleaner than they are," he says.

Just scrape the food off and pop the dishes in.

It’s important that you maintain your dishwasher as well. This is a great way to keep your dishwasher clean and working effectively.

2. Rubbing stains

As stain removal experts, we’re highly passionate about this one.

There are techniques to removing all types of stains however one key directive remains. You should never rub a stain into carpet fibres while trying to treat a stain – you will only make it worse.

As tempting as it can be to rub away at a stain to get rid of it, you’ll push the stain further into the carpet fibres and make it much harder to remove.

3. Neglecting touch points

You wash your hands thoroughly, disinfect surfaces and keep on top of your cleaning routine.

But how often do you sanitise your touch points? Things like doorknobs, cupboard handles, remotes and light switches are touched by multiple hands on a daily basis but how often do you clean them?

A quick wipe with a disinfectant wipe or similar every few days is all you have to do!

4. Using bleach to treat mould

Don’t get us started on this one!

We’ve been treating mould for many, many years, so believe us when we say that bleach is not your solution when it comes to removing mould.

It will take the colour out of the mould and that’s about it.

Vinegar is a much more effective cleaner surprisingly, when it comes to smaller mould infestations. For a larger issue, you’ll need to seek advice from mould cleaning professionals.

5. Using the same cleaning cloth on every job

One word: Eew! By using the same cloth on every job, you’re simply transferring dirt from one area of your home to another.

You’re also running the risk of cross-contamination.

6. Cleaning the bathroom at room temperature

This is a game changer. Run hot water in the vanity and the shower for a few minutes before you clean for ultimate effectiveness. This is because the steam helps to loosen up grime.

7. Neglecting your washing machine

If you’re not giving your washing machine a clean every now and then, your machine isn’t running as well as it could be.

An in-depth washing machine clean method can be found here but as a general guide, all you need is vinegar, baking soda and the time to run an empty load!

8. Not reading cleaning product instructions

Read the instructions on the label of your cleaning products for the best usage results, if instructions are provided.

It isn’t always a case of just spray and wipe.

9. Forgetting to clean the vacuum

Changing and cleaning your filter regularly will ensure that your vacuum cleaner will effectively extract dirt and dust from your carpet fibres.

Be sure to check your vents and attachments too and wipe them down if needed (with the power off, of course!).

10. Cleaning the floors first

Think about it. You’ve just cleaned your floors – your carpet is lush while your hard floors are squeaky clean. And then you do your surface cleaning, essentially wiping dust and grime straight back onto your floors.

Reverse your order for a much more efficient routine.

11. Taking it all on at once

Getting the whole house clean is usually a few hours of work, which let’s be honest, is the last thing anyone wants to do on their weekend.

Here’s a trick. Try to tackle what you can through the week. Get out of the mindset that certain jobs need to be done at the end of the week. Even if it’s doing the floors on a Tuesday night after the kids have gone to bed or getting the ensuite cleaned if you wake up a little earlier one morning, every bit makes a difference!

This is an extra tip – if there are kids at home, give them some extra cleaning responsibilities. It may take a little time and patience to ensure it’s done right but any job taken off your plate is a massive achievement.

How do I keep my home clean?

Keeping a clean and healthy home can be tough but some things really are best left to the professionals.

Electrodry offers a range of services, some of which include tile and grout cleaning, timber floor restoration and mould cleaning, designed to enhance the beauty of your home and ensure it’s as healthy as possible.

You can book online or give our friendly team a call on 13 27 13.