All too often we clean the house without really knowing we are making it dirtier than we intended it to. Learn some of the most common mistakes people usually make, and learn how to clean smarter!
1. Using the same cloth to clean the whole house
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Many of us have the habit of merely constantly spraying more cleaning solution onto the cloth after several wipes. However, using the same cloth all around the house is still really dirty and unhygienic.
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The grime and dirt from cleaning the previous spot would cling onto the cloth and stay on it. This means that whatever germs or bacteria that stuck on from the previous surface would be spread onto other areas of the house. From the toilet, to the living room, to the bedroom… Every part would be infested with bacteria without our knowledge.
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Let’s fight against nasty germs and bacteria by using a new sheet of paper towel to clean each surface, or have a microfibre cloth specifically for every part of our home. Microfibre cloths can be washed after every use to get rid of any remaining filthy matter.
2. Cleaning from the bottom up
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Does your daily cleaning routine involve yourself sweeping, vacuuming and mopping the floor before you move on to clean the tabletops, counters, cupboards and shelves? Stop and change that from today! Doing so would only increase your workload as crumbs, dirt, and dust are highly likely to fall to the ground as you wipe the different surfaces. This causes you to have to clean the floor all over again. So why put yourself through unnecessary trouble?
(Image Credit: Northern Comfort Windows)
Start cleaning every area of your house from the top down. Start with the windows, then the walls, followed by cupboards and shelves, tables and counters, then coffee tables and finally the floor.
3. Placing a toilet brush right back into its holder
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How many times a day is the toilet used by your family when nature calls? Imagine the countless number of bacteria (that came from those excrements) that linger on the toilet brush after you scrub the toilet till it’s clean and shiny. And you still aren’t afraid to keep it right back into its holder? When the toilet brush is still wet, the moisture allows the germs trapped in the brush holder and bristles to breed and multiply quickly. These germs are then brushed and spread onto the toilet when you clean it the next time.
Ew! Now, you might want to think again… After scrubbing, it is highly advised to allow the toilet brush to dry completely before storing it in its holder.
4. Washing a chopping board with dishwashing liquid only
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Don’t get confused – dishwashing liquid can definitely remove food residue and gunk from your chopping board! Sadly, that’s not all you have to clean. Within the cuts and dents in your chopping board, thousands of microscopic food particles are trapped and will continue to live there if you do not remove them. The longer they live there, the more bacteria will breed and multiply, and these bacteria can easily hop on to any food that you cut on the chopping board.
To kill these dreadful bacteria, simply soak your chopping board in hydrogen peroxide or a bleach (get yours from Scrub.sg!) solution (made from 2 tablespoons of bleach and 1 gallon of water), rinse with water and dry completely.
5. Applying the wrong cleaning agent onto a surface
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If you use a cleaning agent to clean something that is not of its intended function, you may notice smudges, streaks or stains left behind on its surface. The wrong cleaning agent will not only make your home look unsightly and mess up its image, but it will also not be effective in cleaning and disinfecting the area. A cleaning agent is only effective in doing its job when it can remove bacteria and harmful particles, clear dust and dirt and not cause any damage to the material of the surface cleaned. For example, using the wrong cleaning agent on a hardwood floor can wreck the topcoat. If you use a cleaning agent that is too acidic on marble or tile flooring, it can be severely and permanently ruined.
Make sure you find the right cleaning agent specific for cleaning every area of your house! Psst, Scrub.sg has a wide variety of supplies created to suit all your cleaning needs, big or small.