Homebuilding Insights

If you’re like most people, you already think you’re spending way too much of your valuable time cleaning your home. Now imagine this scenario…all that time is wasted, because what you’re doing is actually making your house dirtier than it was before! As horrible as that sounds, it’s happening every day.

We’ve talked to some professional house cleaners to get the scoop on cleaning mistakes that do more harm than good. We’re passing them along to you – we want your time spent with a mop and cloth to work to your advantage!

You walk around with a rag, swiping surfaces as you go.
Using the same cloth in different areas of your home is one of the easiest ways to spread germs from one room to another. Even if you’re spraying it with cleaning solution as you go, you’re transferring grime from your kitchen counters to your coffee table to your dresser tops.

The solution – use a fresh wad of paper towels for every area, or designate a different color microfiber cloth for each room. Microfiber cloths can be washed after each cleaning spree to keep them fresh and grunge-free.

You use feather dusters.
No matter what the ad says, feather dusters don’t “trap and lock” dust particles. It’s much more effective to use a microfiber cleaning cloth or paper towels moistened with a safe, appropriate cleaner.

You’re using a dirty vacuum.
If you’re using an old vacuum filter, the decreased suction won’t allow your vacuum to pick up as much dirt and dust as it should. You’ll also have dirt blowing back into the air and carpet through the dusty vent.

Change or empty vacuum bags or canisters as soon as they’re full. Unplug your vacuum and clean the attachments, hose, and vent with a damp microfiber cloth or moist paper towel. If you need a replacement filter, check your manufacturer’s guide or browse vacuum filters here.

You’re throwing all your cooking tools into the dishwasher.
Not all gadgets are dishwasher-safe. Items like garlic presses, zesters, or graters often trap food in tiny crevices that a dishwasher won’t reach, allowing bacteria to grow. These pieces should be carefully hand-washed.

You’re plopping your toilet brush right back into the holder after cleaning.
If you don’t let your toilet brush dry completely after each use, the holder traps the wet, germy brush and allows bacteria to multiply. You’re then spreading bacteria back into your toilet with the next cleaning. Always allow your brush to air-dry thoroughly before storing it.

You’re ignoring the garbage disposal.
Your poor sink! You may be wiping it down after every use, but many people allow bacteria and germs to accumulate in the garbage disposal.

Give it a good cleaning by pouring half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Boil a few cups of water and pour it down the drain. Follow with two cups of ice and one cup of rock salt. Turn on the disposal until the ice is gone. Cut a lemon in half and run each piece through to freshen things up.

You’re spraying your cleaner directly on the surface.
It’s much more efficient to spray the cleaner on the towel or cloth you’re using. Direct spraying on furniture, windows, or countertops can create build-up that leads to greasy surfaces or streaks, which actually attract more dirt.

You haven’t cleaned your washing machine.
Skin cells, residue from stains, and dust mites can remain in your washer's drum, doors, and detergent compartments. This gets into your wash water and can cause stagnant, musty odors.

For a top-loading washer, set to the longest and hottest setting. When nearly full, add 4 cups of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda. Pause for an hour, clean visible areas, then let the cycle finish. For front-loaders, add a mixture of baking soda and water into the detergent tray and vinegar into the drum, then run a hot cycle. When finished, wipe down the inside and leave the door open to dry. For more tips, visit Consumer Reports’ washer-cleaning guide.

You’re abusing your cutting board.
Many people only wash their cutting boards with soapy water, but the grooves in the board can trap microscopic food particles that breed bacteria.

Don’t put your cutting boards in the dishwasher – wooden boards can warp or crack, while plastic ones can melt. Instead, soak your cutting board in a mixture of two tablespoons of bleach and one gallon of water, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely. You can also review FDA cutting board safety guidelines.

Want more home care and maintenance tips? Visit our Ernest Homes Blog or reach out through our Contact Us page.