Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning Your Home

Cleaning…while it's an essential task, it's one most of us don't enjoy.  Except for me, I love it...great for stretching, great for low-impact cardio.  Just don't tell anyone, k?  Because I will deny, deny, deny!

Anyhow, one of the biggest challenges when it comes to cleaning your home is that you may not be cleaning properly.  With all the different cleaning products, gadgets and gizmos on the market, it's hard to keep track of what to clean, when to clean and with what to use!

But no worries, we got you.  Here are six of the more common mistakes to avoid while cleaning your home, and what you can do to remedy them.

Six Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning Your Home

Mistake #1:  Not Cleaning Frequently Enough

Let’s begin with the number one mistake that most of us make when cleaning our home:  not cleaning as often as we should.

If you have carpeting or area rugs in common, well, areas, you should be vacuuming on the daily, especially if you have pets.  High traffic areas like living rooms or family rooms should especially get the once over.  Do your vacuuming at the end of the day so your rugs are fresh for the next day.

Countertops, tabletops and other solid surfaces that get used regularly should also get the once over at least once a day.  Use a good antibacterial multi-surface cleaner (we like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes).  While you're at it, wipe down your cell phone, plastic toys and light switches, too.  If it's come in contact with hands, it's probably a bit germy.

Cleaning out the fridge and giving it a good wipe down on the reg is also a smart idea.  Old, moldy, smelly food happens in the blink of an eye and it's much easier to give a good wipe down once a week vs. a good scrub down once a month.  Or do both, who are we to judge?

Mistake #2:  Spraying Surfaces Directly

When you spray furniture, fixtures and other elements in your home directly with cleansers  and furniture polish, there's the potential for  build-up that is incredibly challenging to remove and can attract even more dust.  Not only that, spraying causes germs, bacteria and other dust particles to become airborne, contaminating clean surfaces.

Our best advice?  Spray cleaning products directly on to your rag or paper towel, then wipe down surfaces.  Alternatively, have a bucket of water mixed with cleanser handy, saturate your rag, ring out, then wipe down.

Whether you use chemical-based cleansers or naturally-based products, the objective is not to cause dirt and dust to become airborne.  Of course, you should always follow the directions for use outlined on the product itself.

Mistake #3:  Vacuuming First, Dusting Later

Another common cleaning mistake we tend to make is vacuuming before dusting, and I totally get it. It's easier to spot dirt, crumbs and even pet hair on carpet, especially when it's a lighter shade and shorter pile, than dust.  But vacuuming before dusting is a total faux pas.

Instead, wipe down all solid surfaces using your favorite cleaner(s) and preferred method of cleaning, be it with wipes, paper towels or microfiber clothes, and remove any linens from the room that you plan on washing, like curtains, blankets, sheets, throws, table runners, placemats and the like.  Start vacuuming in and around your sofa, chairs, beds tables and other furniture with soft surfaces or cushions.  Then move furniture that you can out of the way and vacuum normally.

When you're finished dusting and then vacuuming, return all your furniture to its proper place, replace the linens and call it a day!

Mistake #4:  Not Cleaning Your Vacuum

When cleaning your home, it is important to make sure that your cleaning tools themselves are actually clean, and this includes your vacuum cleaner.

With the unit unplugged, remove the canister and empty the canister (or dispose of the bag) into the trash.  Assuming you use your vacuum regularly, remove and replace the filter on a monthly basis.  Some filters can be washed; if that's the case with your vacuum make sure it's washed and dried completely before putting it back.  If your vacuum has a removable canister, remove it and wash it in warm, sudsy water.

Check your vacuum's beater bar for any strings or threads that might be wound around it and remove.  It's best to take tiny, careful snips at the strings with small safety scissors, and discard.

Give your hoses, cords, belts, gaskets and attachments a once over for clogs, damage and any unusual wear and tear.

If you have any issues, consult your owner's manual. Speaking of owner's manuals, make sure you disassemble your vacuum according to manufacturer's directions. 

Mistake #5:  Cleaning Your Windows On A Sunny Day

It makes sense that we'd want to clean our windows on a bright, sunny day.  Dirt tends to be more visible through a bright window, and after a dark, dreary winter our spring cleaning instincts start to take over.

However, cleaning windows on a warm, sunny day is another cleaning mistake we tend to make.  The sun is naturally going to warm up your windows, making your window cleaner to dry too fast and causing streaks.

​To prevent this, begin cleaning as early as possible, before the warms up.  Even better, choose a cloudy day to clean your windows.  And if it's a bit windy, no worries:  simply aim your glass cleaner in the same direction as the breeze, or forego spray altogether and opt for glass wipes or a microfiber cloth soaked in a 50-50 white vinegar / warm water mix.

Mistake #6:  Using An Excessive Amount Of Water

Last but not least, using an excessive amount of water on upholstery and other fabric surfaces is another cleaning mistake we tend to make. Water damage on fabrics can include stains and watermarks. In some cases, it will also cause mold and mildew, because not only will the fabric dry improperly, but moisture can get trapped in any foam or batting inside the furniture.

If you find stains on your furniture that you're tempted to clean, try this method:

Mix 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 warm water and 1 tablespoon dish soap (we like Dawn). Add to a spray bottle, and shake gently. Mist the soiled area until just damp, and scrub with a microfiber cloth until the stain disappears.  Use another cloth moistened only with clean, cool water. Pat dry with a third, dry cloth.

If the area is relatively large, position a box fan on high speed in front of the damp area until dry.

You May Also Like:

• How To Turn Housecleaning Into A Workout
• Is Hiring A Cleaning Service Right For You?

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As you can see, there are a number of common cleaning mistakes we can avoid by learning how to clean properly. And if you think you don't have the time to clean your home properly, the folks over at lighthouse.com put together this informative blog post on how to clean your home in under one hour.  Booyah!