Everyone appreciates having a clean home, but many people find themselves postponing essential cleaning tasks like mopping, washing dishes, or vacuuming carpets.

In the process, we end up inviting even more work and problems in the long run. Think about it! Cleaning the dishes after you had your dinner will take 15 minutes but if you let it stay in the sink for tomorrow, it will take even more time to remove all the food particles that get stuck to the dishes.

This frustrating experience can negatively impact your productivity and mindset throughout the day.

From not postponing cleaning to not vacuuming in the right direction, here are 10 big cleaning mistakes you’re definitely making but should avoid.

1. Not using the right cleaning tools

Imagine painting your wall with a small-sized brush as opposed to a professional paint roller tool. Wouldn’t the latter make your job far easier and faster? That’s why making use of the right cleaning tools is so important.

Here are a few mistakes you might be making with your cleaning tools:

Don’t mix chemical products together. Always read the product label to ensure you’re using the cleaner correctly. Mixing certain cleaners can release harmful fumes or damage surfaces, which can lead to discoloration or permanent stains.

• Vacuuming your carpet or rug without a carpet attachment could damage it.
• Using an abrasive pad on stainless steel appliances may lead to scratches on their surface.
• Using bleach on rust stains aggravates the problem as bleach works via oxidization which feeds the rust.

Pro-tip: Always read the labels on your cleaning tools and solutions so as not to cause damage to your furniture and clothes while cleaning.

Be careful with strong chemical cleaners. They might damage floors or countertops over time. Whenever possible, opt for gentler, eco-friendly alternatives to protect surfaces and reduce environmental impact.

2. Not regularly cleaning your cleaning appliances

Have you noticed a weird smell coming from your freshly-washed dishes or freshly-laundered clothes? The issue isn't with the appliance itself. While your cleaning appliances are designed to do a great job at cleaning things, they also need to be regularly cleaned.

Your dishwasher, washing machine, and vacuum cleaner also need routine cleaning. Here are simple ways to do that:

• A full vacuum will not provide enough suction to thoroughly clean your carpets and other surfaces. After emptying it, make sure to clean the hose and brushes too.
• Place a cup of vinegar on the top rack of your dishwasher and it will rinse the dishwasher effectively.
• Order cleaning tablets for your washing machine that dissolve all the residue hidden in your machine.
• Rinse your cloths and sponges after use. Besides rinsing, clean them thoroughly or soak them in a mild disinfectant solution regularly to remove bacteria and prevent unpleasant odors.

3. Don't just use any rag

Do you see some scratch marks on your furniture? Are you wondering how those came to be? You might think that the culprit is your pet’s nails? Here's what you should know: while dry rags and cloths prevent polish or detergent residue on furniture, they may also leave scratch marks on your surfaces.

Why is this the case?

When you dust with a dry rag, you’re just moving those dirt particles and dust around and thus causing scratches on your furniture. The best way to avoid that is using a damp cloth or a microfiber cloth that picks up all those fine dirt particles.

4. Using too much water

Less is more when it comes to cleaning. Many times, when we are on a cleaning spree, we tend to use too much water, be it for mopping our floors or washing our clothes. This tends to damage certain fabrics and even cause rust on some metal components.

It’s also recommended to not have a sopping wet mop to clean your hardwood floors as it can damage your floors. Instead, have a lightly dampened mop and follow it up with a dry cloth to get rid of any standing water.

And guess what? You do the environment a favor too by not using a lot of water when it’s in fact not required.

Why is using too many cleaning products a mistake?

Using more product than recommended can lead to unnecessary waste, higher costs, and even residue build-up on surfaces. Opt for the right amount described on the label to ensure effectiveness and reduce potential damage to your home and the environment.

5. Scrubbing off stains

When something spills on your carpet or rug, the natural instinct is to scrub the stain immediately.

Instead, blot the stain with a paper towel or a clean cloth until it’s dry. Then, rinse it with water and blot dry again. You can even use a stain remover by following the directions given with the product if the stain is not going away.

6. Keeping all cleaning tasks for one day

Research says that when we think of our future selves, the part of our brain activates that correlates our future selves with strangers. What does that mean? It means that we are likely to keep postponing our cleaning chores to a later date because we don’t realize that it would be us that will have to work that much harder later.

The things that could have been done in less than 15 minutes today could take an hour a week later. That’s why it’s so important to have a cleaning schedule. You could even follow the 2-minute rule that says, “If anything takes less than 2 minutes, do it now instead of later.” Cleaning the kitchen top, soaking the dishes in water, putting back the utensils, these all could be done in 2 minutes and so it’s better to get them off your checklist immediately.

What is the 20/10 rule for cleaning?

You clean for 20 minutes, then rest for 10. By breaking chores into shorter bursts, you avoid getting overwhelmed and keep up with daily tasks more easily. This method helps prevent the big mistake of saving all your cleaning for one day.

7. Washing windows on sunny days

You might be tempted to bring out your window cleaning supplies when the weather is too sunny outside. But the cleaning products will get evaporated very quickly because of the high temperature and result in streaking.

Instead, wait for a pleasant day when the temperature is not too hot and you can clean your windows without leaving any marks.

8. Not vacuuming in the right direction

There might not be a wrong way to vacuum but there surely is a better way to vacuum. Instead of vacuuming perpendicular to the baseboard that just pushes the dirt under the baseboard, vacuum parallel to the baseboard at the edges of the room.

If you want your home or a particular area of your home to be super-clean, ensure to vacuum up and down in rows, and turn 90 degrees to vacuum side-to-side and all your extra effort will be worth it in the end.

9. Not cleaning from top to bottom

This mistake creates unnecessary additional work, which is particularly frustrating when cleaning.

If you ignore the top surfaces, you’ll be pushing dust around. Start with high shelves, ceiling fans, and other overhead areas; then work your way down to lower surfaces. This approach ensures dust and debris don't settle on previously cleaned spots and helps you clean more efficiently.

10. Not hiring a professional cleaning service

In every home, there are a few germ hot spots that people don’t know about or tend to ignore. While we may not be able to know how to clean these spots, a professional cleaning service takes care of all such requirements.

Not only do they clean your house thoroughly, but they look into specific needs such as deep cleaning the fridge or performing stain removal.

While you may be working on having a clean home daily, it has become an utmost necessity to also deep clean your home on a regular basis.

If you're looking for the best house cleaning service in New York City, Homero is the right place to be.

We also have an exclusive offer for you - get $25 off on your first cleaning service. Grab your hands on this offer today before it runs out. Book your deep cleaning service today.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I clean my home?

Daily maintenance cleaning helps prevent buildup, while deeper cleaning should happen weekly. High-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms need more frequent attention. Consider seasonal deep cleaning for areas like behind appliances and inside cabinets.

What's the most efficient cleaning order?

Always clean from top to bottom and from dry to wet. Start with dusting and decluttering, then vacuum, and finish with mopping. This prevents having to clean the same area twice.

Are natural cleaning products effective?

Yes, natural alternatives like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon can be highly effective for everyday cleaning. They're often gentler on surfaces and better for indoor air quality, though some stubborn stains may require specialized products.

How do I maintain cleaning tools?

Clean your tools after each use. Wash microfiber cloths separately, empty vacuum canisters regularly, and allow mops to dry completely before storing to prevent mold and bacteria growth.