Is the house truly clean?
So, you may think you have your home cleaned inside and out, but did you know the 5 cleaning mistakes you’re making (And what to do instead)!. There’s no visible dust, no spills, nothing. But did you think of the dust you can’t see, or how you could be spreading that dust without you even knowing it? What about the germs and bacteria you can’t see? Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there, read on to find out what mistakes you are making that is causing your home to be dirty (but don’t worry! It’s fixable!).
PRO TIP: Read our 6 essential cleaning tips for COVID-19! We know it’ll be helpful.
Feather duster? More like “Dirt cluster”.
So, you dusted the bookshelf, the blinds, the windows, etc. You think you cleaned it just by dusting it with your trustworthy feather duster, but that’s where you went wrong. Feather dusters are advertised to “lock in dirt” but all you are doing is pushing said dirt onto your floors and spreading the dirt across your surfaces.
Don’t worry, it’s not too late to fix this simple mistake, almost no one knows this so don’t beat yourself up. Instead of using your feather duster, use any microfiber cleaning cloth, or even a paper towel along with the appropriate cleaning product to wipe down those surfaces instead. You can now know when you use a microfiber cloth and/or paper towel, you can rest easy now that you completely cleaned your furniture and no dust or germs remain.
Cleaning the vacuum cleaner.
Sure you know to dump the dirt and contents you have swept up into the trash can, but did you know that not cleaning the vacuum can also make your home dirty and your air filled with dirt particles? From experience, I did not know you were supposed to clean the filter in the vacuum. After a while of just dumping the contents in the canister, the one time I went to use the vacuum cleaner it shot out dirt and dust everywhere, so much so to the point my family was coughing because of how bad it was. Don’t make my mistake, make sure you clean your vacuum filter and disassemble your vacuum to clean the parts as well. This will increase the suction on the vacuum and you won’t get dirt blown back at you. Now the vacuum cleaner can properly do its job! Start from the top before you tackle the bottom.
Usually you would clean your floors first and then clean your other furniture. However, you may not think of this immediately but why would you want to get crumbs and other dirt back on your freshly cleaned floors? Instead of cleaning your floors just to do it all over again, why don’t you wipe down the highest surface in the room, then start to make your way down to the floors. You would be surprised by the difference it makes compared to starting ground up. Also, instead of using feather dusters and dry towels, damp your towels and using the proper cleaners can help out as well.
PRO TIP: Choose a professional commercial cleaner such as Cleaning World, Inc.
Wash the washing machine.
Just because you put detergent and fabric softener in the washing machine doesn’t mean you don’t need to clean it. Dirt gets trapped in the washing machine along with stains, bacteria, and even skin cells. If you neglect your washing machine long enough, you would be washing your clothes in dirty water and your clothes would stink over time. Not even your fabric dispenser and the lid of your washing machine is safe from getting dirty. To avoid this, follow these steps in cleaning your washing machine.
For a top load washing machine:
1. Start the cycle on the longest and hottest setting.
2. Let the water fill up almost to the top of the drum.
3. Pour 1 liter of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda into the water.
4. Let the water sit in the washing machine for an hour, do not start the washing machine.
5. Clean any area you see is dirty on the lid and in the crevices of the machine.
6. (If needed, repeat steps 3 and 4. If not, skip to step 8) Wipe down any dirt inside the washing machine and with the lid up, allow the washing machine to dry for an hour.
For a front load washing machine:
1. Pour ¼ baking soda and ¼ water into the detergent compartment. Then pour 2 cups of vinegar into the drum.
2. Set the machine on the highest temperature and start it.
3. When the cycle is done. Wipe down the interior and wipe down the detergent compartment. Don’t forget the door!
Leave the door slightly open for air circulation and let the machine dry. Dish soap just won’t “cut” it.
I know you probably think that throwing the cutting board into the dishwasher will clean it 100%. That’s not the case, sure it removes any visible stains and food, but when the knife cuts into the board it traps any unseen food particles and becomes a bacteria breeding ground. Instead of throwing it into the dishwasher or washing it by hand, fill the sink up with 2 spoons of bleach and 1 gallon of water. You can safely eat the food you chop up now and not have any bacteria to unknowingly snack on!
The 5 cleaning mistakes you fixed! (Now you know what to do instead!)
Now you know what to do for these 5 simple but important mistakes. Make sure you don’t buy dusting products that “guarantee to trap dust and dirt in the feathers”. You know now that you can simply get a damp paper towel and wipe off surfaces. Keep watch on your vacuum and washing machine, and don’t use dish soap at all on cutting boards. Well, those were the 5 cleaning mistakes you’re making (and what to do instead)!
