7 common cleaning mistakes you're probably making

Cleaning mistakes, we’ve all had a few. But there are some that people can’t quite seem to learn from. One part habit, another part misinformation, these are the most common cleaning mistakes I encounter in people’s homes.

Mistake 1: Using warm water on carpet stains

Boiling water is a natural germ killer so using warm water makes sense, right? Wrong. It’s almost impossible to clean with water hot enough to kill germs in stains. Instead, you’ll end up using a lukewarm cloth.

The warm water reacts chemically with most stains, which only combines it with the carpet fibres. This creates a stain and odour that’s impossible to remove completely.

Lesson: Only use cold water to clean carpet stains. It won’t react with the stain and gives a better result.

Mistake 2: Spraying cleaning product onto surfaces

Most people spray their cleaning products directly onto the surface they intend to clean. However, this will only leave residue and streaks, and could damage more sensitive finishes.

Lesson: Spray cleaning products directly onto the rag or sponge you’re cleaning with.

• Related: How to eradicate mould from your home
• Related: What I’ve learned after cleaning 5000 homes
• Related: How to get your house cleaner than ever

Mistake 3: Not replacing cloths often enough

Cloths, rags and sponges are a breeding ground for germs and other nasties. I’ve been to homes where the Chux was so old it actually looked brown and not blue. Using old and dirty cloths to clean will spread germs around the home making for an unsanitary living environment.

Lesson: Replace cloths and sponges regularly or consider using paper towels. If you’d rather save money, sanitise your cloth in a pot of boiling water.

Mistake 4: Scrubbing, not patting at carpet stains

The old expression “give it a bit of elbow grease” is true in many situations. However, when it comes to cleaning carpets it’s bad advice. Scrubbing too hard at a stain will only further embed it into the carpet making it difficult to remove, even for a professional.

Lesson: Pat at carpet stains to lift them. A slow gentle touch might take longer but it’s more effective.

Mistake 5: Using bleach to clean mould

Many believe that bleach cleans and kills everything. A little known fact is that bleach doesn’t kill mould, it only lightens the colour so you can’t see it. The scrubbing might strip the mould away but using bleach means it’s certain to grow back.

Lesson: Use a vinegar solution or rubbing alcohol as a more effective solution for permanently removing mould.

Mistake 6: Using scourers or steel wool on non-stone surfaces

Using a green scourer or steel can be a great way to clean pots and pans, but it’s a terrible way to clean surfaces around the home. The rough material creates tiny scratches on the surface making it the perfect home for germs and other nasties.

Lesson: Use sponges or cloths to clean non-stone surfaces.

Mistake 7: Using synthetic cleaning products

One of the great innovations of the cleaning industry was to add phosphates to its products. This made things go all frothy, but in reality, the bubbles do little to enhance the clean. The trade off is synthetic chemicals and non-biodegradable materials are left behind. These can be bad for children and pets.

Lesson: Consider using natural cleaning products such as vinegar and bi-carb soda. If you purchase a product ensure it is labelled biodegradable.

Michael Brooke has been cleaning houses and carpets for more than 15 years through his company CarpetCleaningSydney.com.au. Even if you’ve made a cleaning mistake that you can’t seem to rectify, he’d be happy to provide guidance, advice or even just give you a hand.