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How to Stop Making These 5 Common Cleaning Mistakes

Most adults make it a goal to keep their homes at least somewhat tidy. If you’re a part of this majority, you know that maintaining a clean house can be time-consuming. Well, you might be surprised to find that you can shave hours off your housekeeping by avoiding common cleaning mistakes.

Take a look at five of the most common cleaning mistakes that many people tend to make. Then, learn how to correct them, so you can save yourself time and effort.

1. Working With Too Much Product

Many people assume that when it comes to household cleaners, more equals better. However, this simply isn’t the case. Using too much product can oversaturate cleaning materials, like microfiber cloths, which can leave streaks. In addition, you’ll spend more time cleaning overspray than you will windows, countertops or baseboards.

The fix: Remember that a little cleaning solution goes a long way, and that it’s easier to add more cleaner than to mop up excess.
 

2. Using a Dirty Cloth

If you’re working with dirty materials, you may as well not even bother cleaning. Soiled cloths or sponges won’t do you any favors, as they just spread grease and grime around surfaces, rather than removing it. In addition to being gross, it can also be unhealthy.

The fix: Make sure you work with a clean cloth from the get-go. In addition, rinse sponges or freshen cloths as needed if you’re working on large-scale housekeeping projects, like cleaning the freezer or light fixtures.
 

3. Being Poorly Organized

One of the most common cleaning mistakes is lack of organization. After all, rummaging around trying to figure out which cabinet the baking soda is in or where you last used your spray bottle of vinegar is nothing more than a waste of time.

The fix: Keep cleaning supplies in a set place so you don’t have to dash through the house hunting them down. Start by knowing where and how to properly store your cleaners and tools. If possible, keep them in or close to the room where you’ll be using them. And if you need to keep them up high or out of sight because you have young children or pets, you can still organize them so that they’re easy to find.

In addition, you can always create a cleaning caddy that holds your most used supplies, such as microfiber cloths, a spray bottle of vinegar, dishwashing liquid, an old toothbrush and so forth.
 

4. Using the Wrong Cleaning Products or Tools

One excellent way to flat-out waste your time and energy is to use the incorrect cleaner or housekeeping tool for your household chores. If you’re using the wrong solution or tool, chances are the area you’re focusing on will not be properly cleaned. What’s more, using the incorrect cleaner can damage parts of your home. Vinegar, for example, can etch stone surfaces, leaving them permanently scarred.

The fix: To avoid this cleaning mistake, make certain you know which cleaners to use where, as well as what tools you’ll need from room to room. The following tips from Merry Maids can point you in the right direction.
 

5. Not Maintaining a Routine Housekeeping Schedule

One of the biggest cleaning mistakes many people make is failing to keep a set cleaning schedule. True, this is easier said than done when you’re rushing about trying to get the kids ready for school or wondering if you’ll have time to finish that PowerPoint presentation before your afternoon meeting.

Nonetheless, leaving cleaning to the weekend results in all your chores piling up on one another. And when that happens, tidying up can seem overwhelming, meaning you’re more likely to put it off again...and again…and again…

The fix: Ease housekeeping into your daily routine so that you don’t feel like laundry and vacuuming are taking over your life. Here are several posts that may give you some ideas as to how you can work a bit of tidy time into your day.
 
And if you’re making common housekeeping mistakes simply because you’re so pressed for time you can barely remember what day of the week it is, it might be time to call in the cleaning cavalry. Your local Merry Maids will be happy to lend a hand, so that you can take some well-deserved time to relax and unwind.

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