Cleaning can often feel like a Sisyphean task — no sooner have you completed one chore than another appears. Many of us find ourselves spending hours a week cleaning our homes, only to find them just as messy a few days later. If you’re constantly fighting to keep your home clean, you might be making your task harder than it needs to be.
Let’s explore 18 things that might be making your cleaning efforts more difficult and how you can navigate around them.
1. Using Too Much Cleaning Product
When it comes to cleaning products, more is not always better. In fact, using too much can actually make your task harder. This is because excess soap or detergent can leave behind a sticky residue that actually attracts more dirt and grime.
Instead of saturating your surfaces with cleaning solution, try using a minimal amount and adding more if necessary. This will make your cleaning process more efficient and prevent that sticky residue that leads to more cleaning in the long run.
2. Not Cleaning Top to Bottom
It may seem like a minor detail, but the order in which you clean can have a big impact on your cleaning efficiency. If you start by cleaning lower surfaces and then move to higher ones, you’re likely to knock dust and dirt onto your already clean surfaces.
Starting from the top and working your way down ensures that any dust or dirt you dislodge falls onto surfaces you haven’t cleaned yet. This method saves you from having to re-clean surfaces and makes your cleaning process more efficient.
3. Neglecting the Small Stuff
We often focus on the big, obvious tasks in our cleaning routine, like vacuuming the carpets or washing the windows. However, it’s the small, easily overlooked tasks that can often make our homes feel cluttered and dirty.
Think about the last time you cleaned your light switches, door handles, or the tops of your picture frames. These small tasks might seem insignificant, but they add up. Regularly tackling these small tasks can make your overall cleaning routine feel less daunting.
4. Not Organizing As You Go
Cleaning and organizing go hand in hand. If you’re constantly cleaning around clutter, your home will never truly feel clean. Additionally, clutter can trap dust and dirt, making your cleaning tasks more difficult.
Try to incorporate organization into your cleaning routine. As you clean each room, take a few minutes to declutter and organize. This can make your cleaning tasks easier and more efficient, and it will make your home feel cleaner overall.
5. Using the Wrong Tools
Just like a mechanic wouldn’t use a hammer to fix a car engine, you shouldn’t use the wrong tools for your cleaning tasks. Using the wrong tools or cleaning products can make your tasks more difficult and less effective.
Investing in the right tools for the job can make your cleaning tasks easier and more efficient. For example, a microfiber cloth is more effective at trapping dust than a regular rag.
6. Not Reading Cleaning Product Instructions
It’s easy to assume that all cleaning products work the same way, but this is far from the truth. Different products require different methods of application and have different dwell times, or the amount of time they need to sit on a surface to effectively kill germs or break down dirt.
By not reading the instructions on your cleaning products, you could be making your tasks harder. Make sure you understand how to properly use each product to ensure you’re cleaning as effectively and efficiently as possible.
7. Forgetting to Clean Your Cleaning Tools
Your cleaning tools can’t do their job effectively if they’re dirty. A dirty mop or vacuum can spread more dirt and germs around your home, making your cleaning efforts counterproductive.
Make sure to regularly clean and maintain your cleaning tools. This will ensure they’re working at their best and will make your cleaning tasks easier.
8. Not Having a Cleaning Schedule
Cleaning can feel overwhelming if you’re trying to do everything at once. Without a schedule, it’s easy to forget tasks or put off cleaning until your home is a mess.
Having a cleaning schedule can make your tasks feel more manageable and ensure you’re not forgetting anything. Whether you choose to do a little bit each day or dedicate one day a week to cleaning, a schedule can make your cleaning efforts more efficient.
9. Cleaning in the Wrong Order
The order in which you clean matters. If you vacuum before dusting, for example, you’ll just end up pushing dust around your home.
Try to clean from top to bottom and from inside to out. This will ensure you’re not re-dirtying areas you’ve already cleaned and will make your cleaning process more efficient.
10. Not Letting Cleaning Products Sit
Many cleaning products need time to do their job. If you’re immediately wiping away your cleaning products, you’re not giving them time to break down dirt and kill germs.
Make sure to let your cleaning products sit for the recommended amount of time before wiping them away. This will ensure they’re as effective as possible and will make your cleaning tasks easier.
11. Forgetting to Clean the Vacuum
Just like any other cleaning tool, your vacuum needs regular maintenance to work effectively. A clogged or dirty vacuum can spread more dirt around your home and make your cleaning tasks more difficult.
Make sure to regularly empty your vacuum and clean its filters. This will ensure it’s working at its best and will make your cleaning tasks easier.
12. Not Cleaning the Bathroom Regularly
The bathroom is one room in your home that needs regular cleaning. If you’re not cleaning your bathroom regularly, soap scum and hard water stains can build up and become difficult to remove.
Try to clean your bathroom at least once a week. Regular cleaning can prevent build-up and make your cleaning tasks easier.
13. Ignoring the Kitchen Sink
Your kitchen sink sees a lot of use and can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria. If you’re not regularly cleaning your sink, you could be making your kitchen cleaning tasks more difficult.
Try to clean your sink daily. This can prevent bacteria build-up and make your overall kitchen cleaning tasks easier.
14. Not Sorting Laundry Properly
Not all laundry is created equal. Different fabrics and colors require different washing methods. If you’re not sorting your laundry properly, you could be making your laundry tasks more difficult and potentially damaging your clothes.
Make sure to sort your laundry by color and fabric type. This will ensure your clothes are cleaned properly and will make your laundry tasks easier.
15. Forgetting to Clean the Dishwasher
Your dishwasher can’t clean your dishes effectively if it’s dirty. A dirty dishwasher can leave your dishes dirty and make your kitchen cleaning tasks more difficult.
Make sure to regularly clean your dishwasher. This will ensure it’s working at its best and will make your kitchen cleaning tasks easier.
16. Neglecting Your Trash Cans
Your trash cans can become dirty and smelly if not cleaned regularly. This can make your cleaning tasks more unpleasant and can attract pests.
Make sure to regularly clean your trash cans, both inside and out. This will prevent odors and make your overall cleaning tasks more pleasant.
17. Using One Cleaning Cloth for Everything
Using the same cleaning cloth for multiple tasks can spread germs and dirt around your home. This can make your cleaning tasks more difficult and less effective.
Try to use a different cleaning cloth for each task or room. This will prevent cross-contamination and make your cleaning tasks more effective.
18. Not Cleaning Regularly
The longer you wait between cleaning sessions, the more dirt and dust can build up in your home. This can make your cleaning tasks more difficult and time-consuming.
Try to clean regularly. Even a quick daily tidy can prevent build-up and make your overall cleaning tasks easier.
By addressing these common mistakes, you can make your cleaning tasks easier and more effective. Remember, everyone’s cleaning routine is different. The key is to find what works best for you and your home.
