A cleaning enthusiast has shared five common cleaning mistakes that might not be as hygienic as you think, as they can actually end up leaving your home dirtier than before.
1. Not Drying Your Toilet Brush
Lou, who operates under the username 'lou's_home_' on TikTok, warned against returning a damp toilet brush to its holder. "All that moisture sitting at the bottom of the toilet brush holder is a breeding ground for bacteria," she explained. To prevent this, she leaves her toilet brush hanging to dry by securing the handle between the toilet and the seat, allowing excess water to drip into the bowl.
2. Leaving Wet Cloths in the Sink
Lou confessed to being guilty of leaving damp cloths in the sink after use. "A damp cloth will start to smell really quickly. And again, perfect breeding ground for bacteria," she said. Instead, she suggests draping cloths over the tap or placing the dish brush near an open window to ensure proper airflow.
3. Making Your Bed After Waking Up
Contrary to common advice, Lou advises against making your bed first thing in the morning. "Your bed needs to air after you spend a whole night in it," she said. She recommends waiting a couple of hours before making the bed to allow moisture to dissipate.
4. Overfilling Your Washing Machine
Lou cautioned against cramming too much laundry into the washing machine. "Shoving as much in as you can feels productive," she acknowledged, but noted that overfilling hampers cleaning performance because clothes can't move freely and detergent doesn't dissolve effectively. She suggests filling the drum to about three-quarters capacity.
5. Cleaning Windows in Direct Sunlight
For her final tip, Lou warned that washing windows in direct sunlight almost always leaves streaks. Strong sunlight causes the cleaning product to evaporate too quickly, resulting in unsightly marks. "You might as well not even bother," she added. She recommends waiting for cloud cover or tackling the task first thing in the morning.
Lou regularly shares cleaning tips on her TikTok account, encouraging followers to maintain a spotless home through smarter habits.
