Cleaning the house is often a dreaded task. However, at Humdakin we believe it doesn’t have to be. Cleaning can be enjoyable, and once you have learned how to clean your home most efficiently, you will see and feel a difference during and after your cleaning routine. Camilla has collected some of the most common cleaning mistakes she has witnessed in her time as owner of her own cleaning business so you can master the art of cleaning.
Vacuum
Vacuuming should be what you spend the most time on in your cleaning routine. It is a common mistake to think that the vacuum should only be used for the floors. But the vacuum has so much more potential! Use the vacuum for your furniture, surface, spider webs, corners, and of course your floors. Create a cross-breeze while vacuuming so some of the dust in the air will be carried out by the wind. Also, remember to change the bag before it gets too full and becomes ineffective.
Dusting
The order in which you dust matters! Start from the top and move your way down. Thanks to gravity, dust falls when you dust off the ceiling and lamps. Starting with your ceiling lamps, then your shelves, and then your baseboard will ensure you get rid of all dust.
Wiping off with universal cleaner
One obvious mistake is not wiping your surfaces with universal cleaner often enough. Another common mistake is that you forget to dust off surfaces with a duster or dry cloth before you use universal cleaner. Wiping with a wet cloth to start with will just move the dust around instead of removing the dust.
Cleaning the toilet
Do you put the toilet seat down when you flush? When you flush the toilet, tiny particles get spread to surfaces around the toilet. We highly recommend not stocking new toilet rolls near the toilet as well as your toothbrushes should not be kept too close to the toilet. Give your floor extra attention every time you clean your bathroom to remove as much bacteria as possible.
Furniture textiles
It is easy to forget about them, but your couch blanket, cushion cover, and rugs collect dust as well. Wash the cushion covers and blankets every once in a while and remember to take the rug and cushions outside to air.
Dosage
Look at the product's recommended dosage. Most of Humdakin’s products are concentrates, meaning a little goes a long way. Using double the dosage won’t mean it gets twice as clean. For example, using more laundry soap than recommended only means that the excess soap will be flushed out. Not only is it a waste of product but it also increases the strain on the environment.
Windows
A common cleaning mistake when washing windows is not thinking that the weather matters. To avoid streaks on your windows, do not clean your windows when the sun is shining directly on them. This also goes for a streak-free formula like Humdakin’s glass cleaner because the heat from the sun makes the glass dry too quickly, causing streaks or smudges.
Dish brushes and sponges
We use these daily, but how often do you clean the dish brush and sponges? If you use plastic dish brushes throw them in the utensil holder in the dishwasher with the bristles up. Wooden brushes made of natural materials do not attract as many bacteria but make sure you rinse it with water and leave the bristle side standing up after every use. Occasionally, rinse the bristles with boiling water, or leave it to soak in a mixture of vinegar and a drop of dish soap. Let it soak for an hour and rinse thoroughly. Also, do you throw away sponges? If you soak the sponge so it is completely wet and microwave it for 2 minutes, it will sanitize the sponge. We need to reuse whenever it is possible!
Stainless steel
If you are using a product like our glass spray to clean stainless steel appliances, do not wipe in circular motions. It can be difficult to clean stainless steel and sometimes smudges are still visible after cleaning. To avoid this, always wipe and scrub in the same direction as the grain of the metal.
The oven
Did you know that your oven probably has 2 or 3 layers of glass that can be removed and cleaned? It is a mistake to think that it is only the inner and outer glass that get dirty. Ovens are different, but often you can remove a plastic cover on the top of the oven door and slide the glass panels out.
Toilet brush
The most common cleaning mistake in the bathroom is to forget about the toilet brush. If you put it back in its holder immediately after you have finished cleaning the toilet with it, bacteria will develop right away. Instead, lift the toilet seat and place the toilet brush on the rim, with the bristle end over the toilet bowl. Lower the toilet seat on the brush to keep it in place while it drip-dries above the toilet bowl. Once it Is dry, you can return it to the holder.
We hope Camilla’s tips were helpful, and that you will implement them next time you clean the house. One last tip is to put on your favorite music while cleaning, so it becomes even more fun!
