As summer draws to a close, many households prepare to return to their usual routines, often starting with a deep clean of their homes. However, one professional cleaner has suggested that some of the most common cleaning habits could actually leave your home dirtier than it was initially.
Kellsie from Zapata's Cleaning has outlined four common mistakes she regularly sees people committing and how they can leave a property less clean than when you started.
Failing to clean your cleaning equipment
While most people focus on achieving a clean home, they may overlook the importance of maintaining the cleaning implements they use and cleaning them after each use.
"Your brushes, microfibre towels, mop heads, and even your vacuum need to be cleaned, too," Kellsie stated. "If the tools you're using are already full of dirt, hair, grease, and built-up, you're just bringing all of that right back onto the surfaces you're trying to clean."
She advised people to wash their mop heads and microfibre towels regularly, while also washing and disinfecting cleaning brushes. Even your vacuum cleaner will require a clean occasionally, with Kellsie suggesting emptying and washing the canister, if the model permits it, while also cleaning the brush roll and washing or replacing the filters in line with the manufacturer's instructions.
Not cleaning from top to bottom
Next is a habit that most professional cleaners advocate: cleaning your home from top to bottom, beginning with the areas nearest to the ceiling and working your way down towards the floor.
Kellsie explained: "Dust and debris are going to fall as you clean. So, start with your higher surfaces and work your way down. Otherwise, you could clean your floors first, dust everything afterwards, and end up with dust right back on the floors you just cleaned. Work top to bottom, and dry to wet whenever possible."
She went on to recommend: "Remove the dust, hair, and loose debris first, and then bring in your cleaners."
Using too much cleaning product
"More product does not mean more clean," Kellsie explained, noting that she frequently observes people using excessive amounts of various cleaning products when tidying their homes.
Although it may be tempting to apply extra product to particularly grimy areas, the cleaning expert warned that using excessive amounts can leave behind a residue that causes surfaces to appear dull, streaky, or even feel sticky once cleaned.
"And you'll notice this, especially on your floors," Kellsie explained. "If you have ever mopped and wondered why your floors felt sticky afterward, there's a good chance you used too much cleaner." To avoid this, she advises following the dilution instructions on each product and adopting a 'less is more' approach.
Keeping washing machine closed
For her final piece of advice, Kellsie turned her attention to the washing machine, a staple appliance in most households. She noted that while many people are inclined to keep the door of the machine closed when it is not in use, it is actually better to leave it open.
"Once you're finished with laundry, leave the door open so the inside can dry out," she urged viewers. She explained: "Your washer holds onto moisture, and keeping everything closed up can encourage odours and built-up. Giving that moisture somewhere to escape can make a huge difference."
