YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW TO GET YOUR HOUSE SPARKLING, BUT YOU COULD BE CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES. SO WE CAN LEAN HOW TO CORRECT THEM THAT HELP YOU SAVE YOURSELF TIME AND EFFORT <3
1. Choosing a Sunny Day for Washing the Windows
The warmth of the sunshine quickly evaporates window cleansers, and when the cleanser dries on the window, it can result in streaks. Save window duty for a dreary, overcast day.
2. Reusing Rags
Have multiple rags handy when you’re cleaning your home and avoid reusing the same cloth to wipe down different surfaces. Using a fresh rag will help to contain bacteria and dirt and avoid the spread of germs.
3. Sweeping and Dusting Too Infrequently
Dirt left on the floors is the leading cause of scratches on the finish, so if you sweep more often, there’ll be less opportunity for those granules to dig in. Similarly with dusting, if you fail to collect dust on polished wood shelves, the dust can begin to interact with the finish and discolor it over time.
4. Using a Feather Duster
Why it’s dirty: No matter how much the advertisements for these dusters say the feathers “trap and lock dust,” they don’t. Feather dusters are notorious for spreading dust around a surface or pushing it off to fall to the ground, rather than removing it.
How to fix it: Use a microfiber cleaning cloth or a disposable paper towel with an appropriate cleaning solution, depending on the surface being dusted.
5. Tossing Any Kitchen Tool into the Dishwasher
Why it’s dirty: Smaller kitchen tools like a garlic press, zester or cheese grater have small nooks and crannies that a dishwasher isn’t always able to blast. When food is left in these tools, it can become moldy and get into food the next time it is used.
How to fix it: Skip the dishwasher and wash by hand with dish soap and hot water, paying particular attention to corners and small holes.
6. Skipping the Sink
Why it’s dirty: Whether it has a standard drain or a garbage disposal, sinks rapidly grow germs and bacteria due to being a moist environment where food particles tend to get stuck. This issue is compounded when food or standing water is left in the sink, the drain or the garbage disposal.
How to fix it: Wipe down the sink after each use and use these baking soda cleaning tips weekly to rid the drain and garbage disposal of germs. You can also give your garbage disposal a good clean with our Test Kitchen favorite cleaner.
7. Rubbing Carpet Stains
When it comes to lifting stains from a carpet or area rug, always blot the stain with an absorbent cloth or paper towel. Press firmly and do not rub at the stain, as rubbing can further spread and embed the mess.
8. Not Cleaning the Washing Machine
Why it’s dirty: The skin cells, dust mites and stains from clothes can linger in a washing machine drum as well as on the lid or door and detergent dispenser. This leads to washing clothes in dirty water, and eventually they’ll turn stinky.
How to fix it: For a top-loading washer, start it on its longest and hottest wash setting. When the drum is nearly full of water, pour in 1 liter of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda, leaving the lid open and allowing the mixture to sit in the paused cycle for at least an hour. While the cycle is paused, clean the lid and any other visible nooks and crannies. Close the lid, allowing the wash cycle to run. Repeat vinegar and baking soda wash, if needed, then wipe down the inside of the washer and leave the lid open to allow the washer to dry completely.
For a front-loading washer, pour a solution of 1/4 cup each baking soda and water into the detergent compartment and pour 2 cups of vinegar into the drum. Set your machine to the hottest temperature and let it do its thing. When the cycle is over, wipe the drum clean, along with the door, detergent compartment and exterior. Pay extra attention to the gasket. Remember to leave the door ajar between loads for the best air circulation.
9. Forgetting to Empty the Vacuum
Remember to clean out the bag or canister of your vacuum after every use to fully rid your home of the dust — and perhaps bugs — you picked up during your chore session.
10. Using Dish Soap on Your Cutting Boards
When it comes to wooden chopping blocks, soap and warm water doesn’t always cut it. After using one to slice ‘n dice raw meat or poultry, soak it in a bleach solution to prevent cross-contamination when prepping your next meal.
11. Neglecting your Biggest Touch Points
Faucets, handles, and door knobs are some of the most-touched areas in your home — so it makes sense that they’re also the germiest. Take to ’em with a disinfectant wipe on the daily to keep germs at bay.
12. Storing a Wet Toilet Brush
Well hello, breeding ground for bacteria! Instead of just dropping your wet brush into the holder, set it across the seat so it can drip-dry over the bowl before putting it away for good.
13. Pouring in Too Much Fabric Softener
We want to sleep on the softest sheets possible. But using more product than is recommended by the manufacturer will have the opposite effect. Just pouring it in usually adds too much and that can make fabrics stiff and scratchy, or even greasy, and reduce towels’ absorbency
