8 things you're probably doing wrong when cleaning

Removing your vacuum cleaner bag when it’s full? Wrong!

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Removing your vacuum cleaner bag when it’s full? Wrong!
Is your vacuum cleaner bag frequently overlooked after a massive vacuuming session and not emptied until it’s about to explode? Well, that’s a tad too late to be cleaning out the bag… an overload of dust, hair, sand, and other particles can reduce suction power. Additionally, food leftovers can decompose in the warm environment of the dust bag, and the thriving mold can lead to a bitter smell from the vacuum cleaner. Change the bag when it’s about two thirds full, approximately every 6 weeks or so.
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Cleaning windows in the sunshine? Wrong!
Even if the extra light is good for revealing dirty spots on the glass, this doesn’t mean you should being spritzing on the glass cleaning solution right away. Through the heat from the sun, the cleaning water transpires on the glass panels much faster. This causes nasty streaks! Instead, be patient and wait for a less sunny day.
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The more foam, the better? Wrong!
It is a common misconception that the foamier your detergent gets, the more effective the clean. Nope! Too much foam inhibits movement of fibres in things like clothing, floor mats, etc. This means that the dirt cannot be removed from surfaces effectively. Whether washing or wiping, try to keep the foaminess to a minimum!
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The sponge is the dirtiest cleaning tool? Wrong!
The sponge is generally seen as the dirtiest cleaning tool because it has the potential to house a plethora of germs when kept damp. However, the mop is the real winner of the dirtiest cleaning tool, as it could essentially move one billion bacteria per ten square feet from room to room instead of delivering an effective clean. After every use, wash the removable mop head at over 60 degrees celsius. If your mop has a fixed fringe wiper, it needs to be changed every two months.
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Rubber gloves will protect us from germs? Wrong!
Some of us like to slip on a pair of rubber gloves to protect ourselves against germs while we clean the dishes and such, but how well do they really work? Sweat and water that enters the gloves can actually attract and multiply germs due the constantly moist environment. To avoid this, sprinkle some flour into the gloves before using it absorb any moisture. After your cleaning session, turn them inside-out and let them air dry.
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The washing machine cleans itself with every run? Wrong!
The drum of the washing machine may look clean and fresh after each wash, but appearances can be deceiving. As the moisture slowly starts to evaporate, the drum is transformed into a germ incubator. To avoid spreading bacteria and unwanted smell, add 50g baking soda into the drum and fill up the detergent drawer with 50ml of vinegar. Run the machine with any clothes in it and the drum will soon smell fresh again!
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Remove dust with a wet wipe? Wrong!
Here’s a phenomenon we’re sure you’ve encountered. Swipe a wet wipe over your furniture and yes, the dust returns immediately! Why in the world does this happen? Because moisture attracts dust. A much better option would be to use anti-static wipes. Additional tip: polish surfaces with a mixture of water and a drop of fabric softener. This prevents furniture from getting dusty so quickly.
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Germs die in a freezer? Wrong!
You may do a frequent clean of your refrigerator, but what about your freezer? It’s easy to forget that part. Did you know that germs start to hibernate from -18 degrees celsius but will reactivate again as soon as it gets warmer? To avoid this, turn off the freezer, empty it, fill it with towels, close the door and defrost it overnight. The next morning, wipe the surface with a vinegar-based cleanser to free it from bacteria. Then turn it back on and restock it.

Having a routine when it comes to cleaning the house is not easy – you want sparkling floors and spotless surfaces, but you procrastinate, and when you finally get around to cleaning it, your house gets dirty all over again. If you’re not cleaning your house effectively (yes, we all take shortcuts sometimes), certain items will stay dirty, and this can eventually lead to frustration.

That said, do you often wait until it’s sunny before you give your windows a clean? Or do you think to yourself “the more foam I create, the more effective the detergent will work”? The answers will surprise you and change your cleaning habits enormously. Helpling, the leading online marketplace for cleaning services, has rounded up some great advice on how to clean your home with the right cleaning tools in the most effective and efficient manner.

This post was brought to you by Helpling.

Photos: Getty Images

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