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If you never got around to that “spring cleaning” you planned to do, you still have a few more days of spring left if you wanna squeeze it in. But be careful: Some “cleaning” is not doing anything.
There’s a new article on “cleaning mistakes that are making your home dirtier,” and here are a few highlights:
1. Forgetting to clean the things you use to clean. The equipment we use to clean ALSO needs to be clean: Vacuums, washing machines, and toilet brushes.
2. Mopping floors with laundry detergent. This is a “hack” that went viral . . . but laundry detergent leaves a residue that attracts and traps dirt.
3. Using cleaning agents incorrectly because you didn’t read the instructions. Some products are just ineffective when used wrong . . . but others can cause damage, like scratching, warping or taking off a finish.
4. Spraying cleaning agents directly on surfaces. Unless directed by the instructions, it is generally better to apply cleaning products to a sponge, cloth, or brush to control the amount used, and prevent streaks, cloudiness, and dulling.
5. Combining cleaning products that render each other ineffective. It can also lead to chemical reactions with unintended consequences.
6. Overlooking dust buildup on vents and fans. Not nixing dust in places like this can allow the dust to spread far and wide, lowering the air quality. You should also remove the dust from furniture and curtains.
7. Washing windows on a sunny day. Cleaning glass on a bright day can cause streaky, cloudy windows. Direct sunlight heats the glass, causing soapy cleaning solutions to evaporate too quickly.
8. Cleaning infrequently and/or sporadically. No one wants to hear this, but it’s true: Cleaning regularly makes the process EASIER.
Allowing small issues to build up, like grease, soap scum, and mineral deposits can cause bigger, more time-consuming messes.
