Cleaning mistakes are all too common, and they can have devastating effects on your home. Whether it’s using the wrong product, not following the manufacturer’s instructions, or not taking the time to do a thorough job, cleaning mistakes can cause damage that may be expensive and time-consuming to fix. To help prevent these mistakes from occurring, it’s important to know which common cleaning mistakes to avoid. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the most common cleaning mistakes, and how to avoid them.
Not Pre-Treating Stains
One common mistake made during house cleaning is not pre-treating stains. We’ve all been guilty of hastily grabbing a cleaning solution and attacking a stubborn stain, only to find that it doesn’t come out as easily as we hoped.
However, the key to effectively removing stains is pre-treating them with a special cleaning solution. Before using any cleaning products, identify the type of stain and the surface it’s on. Different stains require different pre-treatment methods. For example, a grease stain on fabric may require a different approach than a red wine stain on a carpet.
By taking the time to pre-treat stains correctly, you can save yourself from having to repeatedly clean the same spot.
Additionally, deep cleaning from professionals like The Maid Connection can help ensure that all stains are removed without causing further damage to your home.
Remember, it’s better to take the extra time and effort to correctly clean your home than to risk causing permanent damage to your furniture, carpets, or clothing.
Neglecting Upholstery
One of the most commonly neglected areas in house cleaning is the upholstery. Most homeowners think that simply dusting and vacuuming the furniture is enough to keep it clean, but that’s far from the truth.
Without proper and regular cleaning, upholstery can become a breeding ground for germs, allergens, and bacteria, which can cause serious health issues.
To correctly clean your home, it’s important to pay special attention to your upholstery and ensure that it receives regular deep cleaning. Neglecting upholstery can cause it to lose its luster, become faded, or even develop a foul odor. Additionally, pets and kids can leave stains and spills on your upholstery, which can be difficult to remove if not taken care of immediately.
The good news is that taking care of your upholstery doesn’t have to be a difficult or time-consuming task. With the help of a professional house cleaning service, you can keep your upholstery clean and in top shape. They have specialized equipment and techniques that can help remove even the toughest stains and odors from your furniture.
Regular deep cleaning of your upholstery can also help extend its lifespan and ensure that it looks great for years to come. So, the next time you’re doing your house cleaning, don’t forget to pay special attention to your upholstery and give it the care it deserves.
Neglecting the Air Filters
When it comes to keeping our homes clean and healthy, many tend to overlook the importance of maintaining air filters. These components of our home’s HVAC system work hard to filter out allergens, dust, and other harmful particles from the air we breathe. Failing to protect air filters can result in poor indoor air quality and can even cause health problems.
To avoid neglecting your air filters, it’s important to schedule special cleaning at least once every three months. But, this can vary depending on number of pets in the home, how frequently you run your HVAC system, and the quality of the air in your area.
When cleaning your air filters, it’s essential to use the proper cleaning method. Different types of air filters require different cleaning techniques, and using the wrong method can actually damage your filters. Some air filters can be vacuumed or wiped clean, while others require a more specialized cleaning process. Refer to your HVAC system’s user manual or consult with an HVAC professional to ensure that you’re using the correct cleaning method for your air filters.
By taking the time to properly maintain your air filters, you can improve the indoor air quality in your home, promote better respiratory health, and extend the lifespan of your HVAC system.
Not Protecting Carpets and Floors
One of the major cleaning mistakes to avoid is not properly protecting carpets and floors. Though tedious, it is essential to keeping your home looking clean and tidy. If you’re not careful, your cleaning efforts could be doing more harm than good. This means using appropriate measures to prevent scratches, dings, and stains.
Here are some tips from The Maid Connection for protecting your carpets and floors:
- Use furniture pads: Prevent scratches and dings on your floors is to use furniture pads on the bottom of all your furniture. These little pads can be purchased at most home improvement stores and are easy to install.
- Avoid harsh cleaning products: It might be tempting to use them to get tough stains out, they may cause damage. Instead, use mild cleaning solutions that won’t strip the protective coatings on your carpets and floors.
- Clean up spills immediately: Clean any spills as soon as they happen to prevent permanent stains from setting in. Use a blotting method rather than rubbing stains to avoid them from spreading and penetrating into flooring.
- Use doormats: Protect your carpets and floors from dirt and grime is to use doormats at all your entryways. This will prevent dirt and debris from being tracked into your home and damaging your floors.
With these steps, you’ll ensure your carpets and floors remain in good condition and cleaning efforts are not wasted.
Forgetting Doorknobs, Light Switches, and Other High-Touch Surfaces
Forgetting to clean high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and light switches are also some cleaning mistakes to avoid. These areas can easily harbor germs and bacteria, which can lead to the spread of illnesses in your home.
Doorknobs and light switches should be cleaned at least once a week using a disinfectant cleaner or wipes. Pay special attention to areas that are frequently touched, such as the handle and push plates on doors, and the buttons on light switches.
Other high-touch surfaces that often get overlooked include cabinet handles, remote controls, and phone screens. These items should also be wiped down regularly to prevent the spread of germs.
To make sure you don’t forget to clean these areas, try adding them to your cleaning checklist or setting a reminder on your phone. By regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, you can help keep your home a healthier and safer place.
Not Taking Care of Trash Cans
A common cleaning mistake that many homeowners make is neglecting to take care of their trash cans. These bins are essential in keeping our homes clean and tidy, but they can also become a breeding ground for bacteria and odors if not properly maintained.
To start, make sure to regularly take out the trash and replace the garbage bag. Leaving trash in the bin for too long can result in unpleasant odors and attract pests like flies and rodents.
It’s important to give the trash can a thorough cleaning every so often. Using a mixture of hot water and vinegar or a disinfectant spray, scrub the inside and outside of the bin. Don’t forget to clean the lid and any other parts that come into contact with the trash.
In addition, consider using trash can liners or bags to help prevent spills and make cleanup easier. Some people also use baking soda or kitty litter at the bottom of the bin to absorb any excess moisture and odors.
By taking care of your trash cans, you can keep your home smelling fresh and clean while also reducing the risk of bacteria and pests. Don’t forget to add this important cleaning task to your to-do list!
Rushing Through the Job
Cleaning mistakes can simply be rushing through the job. Whether it’s due to a busy schedule or simply impatience, failing to give a thorough clean can lead to a range of problems. Not only will it mean dirt and grime are left behind, but you might also accidentally miss important areas of your home.
One issue with rushing through cleaning is that you’re unlikely to notice any smaller details that require attention. For instance, you may fail to dust the tops of picture frames or other high surfaces. Additionally, you’re less likely to use the correct cleaning products, as you’re not taking the time to read the instructions and consider the best methods. As a result, you may inadvertently use a cleaning agent that is too strong and causes damage.
Rushing through cleaning can also mean that you’re not paying attention to your safety. For example, you might be in a hurry to clean a particular area and forget to take the necessary precautions to prevent accidents. This could involve failing to wear gloves when handling harsh chemicals, or neglecting to unplug electrical devices before cleaning them.
The solution is simple: don’t rush. Make sure you give yourself enough time to clean your home thoroughly and safely. Plan your cleaning tasks ahead of time and allocate the appropriate amount of time for each one. This will ensure that you have plenty of time to clean your home properly, as well as help you to prioritize the areas that need the most attention.
Our Special Cleaning
Protect those that matter to you by being proactive! At The Maid Connection, we take great pride in our special cleaning process that ensures all areas of your home are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Our team of expert cleaners pays special attention to high-touch surfaces, take extra care to protect your carpets and floors, and any other thing you can name to clean: we handle it.
Call the cleaning experts @ (520) 624-0066 or go online to request a quote.
