We are well aware that cleaning isn't exactly everyone's favourite pastime. Still, a clean house is a healthy, happy one, and it's crucial to know the best ways to maintain a spick and span abode. With new cleaning products, tips and technology constantly appearing, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to question whether or not we're getting our cleaning routines just right.

But fear not, dear readers! A popular account on social media called Home Reimagined has highlighted some common cleaning mistakes that many of us might be unwittingly making.

It’s time to unlearn these common cleaning mistakes. Source: Towfiqu barbhuiya from Unsplash

By avoiding these five missteps, you can save yourself time and effort and even improve the overall quality of your cleaning.

1. Not letting the product sit long enough​

It's all too easy to spray a little cleaner and then immediately wipe it away, but Home Reimagined suggests allowing the product to sit for a while before wiping. This gives the product time to penetrate and break down germs and grime more effectively. The perfect example is oven cleaner turning brown as it melts away grease.

2. Overloading your mop bucket or not wringing out the mop enough​

When mopping the floor, it's tempting to assume that more cleaner and more water makes for a better result. However, having too much product in your bucket can lead to cloudy floors, while a mop head that's too wet can leave unwanted streaks. Home Reimagined recommends finding the right balance between product and water and wringing your mop out well before use.

3. Not vacuuming in both directions​

You might be surprised to learn that vacuuming in just one direction may not be enough to get deep into those pesky carpet fibres. To make sure you're capturing all the dirt and debris, try vacuuming sideways or in a cross-direction, as suggested by the cleaning gurus at Home Reimagined.

4. Skipping the pre-wipe dusting or vacuuming of surfaces​

A prevalent cleaning mistake is simply wet-wiping a surface without first dusting or vacuuming it. By doing this, we are potentially spreading dirt and debris across surfaces rather than removing it. As Home Reimagined points out, 'ensuring you are dusting or using a soft-haired brush to vacuum dirt and debris before wiping any surface is very important to ensure you aren't just adding water to dirt and creating mud in your home!'

5. Neglecting to clean and maintain your cleaning devices​

Finally, Home Reimagined reminds us that our cleaning tools and machines need a good scrub too. Ensure your vacuum, mops, cleaning cloths, rags, and towels are washed and maintained regularly for optimal cleaning results – don't forget that kitchen sponge!

Cleaning Those Hard-to-Reach Areas​

If you’re someone that gets frustrated trying to clean those hard-to-reach places in your home, there are a few techniques and tools you can use to help you out.

Vacuum, Brooms, or Extendable Dusting Pole​

Using a vacuum or broom with an adjustable handle is a great way to access high corners and ceilings and make sure you get out any cobwebs. An extendable dusting pole is also a handy tool for reaching into awkward spaces.

Oven Cleaning Kit​

When it comes to cleaning your oven, having an oven cleaning kit will make the job easier—this often includes specific tools like an Bio Oven Cleaner, Oven Cleaning Paste, Blades, Scrapers, and Stainless Steel Scourers. These tools help tackle those tricky corners and hidden crevices behind the oven.

Microfibre Cloth​

It’s also worth investing in a few microfibre cloths or simple sponges that you can keep exclusively for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. This is especially useful for cleaning around the tops of walls, doors, and those edges you can’t seem to reach with a duster. Just make sure to change your cloths regularly to avoid any cross-contamination.

Key Takeaways

• Many people may be making cleaning mistakes without realising it, according to Home Reimagined's video.
• Five common cleaning mistakes include: not letting the product sit long enough, using too much product in the mop bucket or not wringing out the mop enough, not vacuuming in both directions, not dusting or vacuuming surfaces first, and not cleaning the cleaning devices regularly.
• By avoiding these mistakes and maintaining cleaning devices, the effectiveness and lifespan of the tools can be improved.
• The article offers detailed explanations and cleaning hacks for each of these mistakes to help improve household cleaning habits.

Now that you're armed with these cleaning pearls of wisdom, it's time to reassess your cleaning routine and spruce up your home like a pro. Say goodbye to accidental uncleanliness and hello to a fresher, sparkling living space!

Did you find the article informative and beneficial? We'd love to hear your feedback. Additionally, if you have any cleaning tips or tricks that you'd like to share with our community, please do so! Don't hesitate to share your newfound cleaning knowledge with friends and family—who knows who you might save from a lifetime of dirt and grime?

 

[MariaG]

These get clean quick ideas are OK.
My problem is that those "hard to reach places" made no mention of how to clean under immovable furniture when you are frail, aged and have nobody to help.
I've been trying to get My Aged Care on board with a spring clean for a while. I do all areas I can see and get under or behind. For the life of me we cannot move the beds, lounges and heavy cupboards. So they stay where they are until I can afford to pay a cleaning company to do it for me.
Don't get me started on high windows.