12 Bad Habits Professional Cleaners Say You Should Break

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Cleaning is a personal thing and we have our quirks about it. Some people have spotless countertops they obsess over, while others think of their laundry mountain as a permanent home feature. But professional cleaners have seen it all and will tell you: some habits are inefficient and could be making your home messier or making cleaning tougher. It can save you time, effort and money to break these habits.

Cleaning doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s about having a healthy and comfortable space. The good news is that a few changes to your routine can help you clean smarter, not harder. With that said, here are some bad cleaning habits pros say you should leave behind.

Skipping the “Top-to-Bottom” Approach

Cleaning without a system? It’s making you do things the hardest way possible. When professional cleaners talk about cleaning from top to bottom, they mean to dust the highest shelves first and work your way down. Skipping this just allows dust and dirt to fall on already cleaned surfaces. That means unless you’ll have to clean the same spot twice, start at the top and work your way down.

Using Too Much Product

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More isn’t always better. Cleaning sprays or detergent often overloads surfaces with a sticky residue that attracts dirt quicker. The less product you use when you clean, the better. The recommended amounts will yield a lighter workload and streak free shine.

Breaking the Manufacturer’s Instructions

Have you ever ruined a rug by scrubbing it like a pancake batter spill? Most of us don’t read cleaning tool and appliances care instructions. These guidelines are there for a reason. People fail to follow product instructions, resulting in damaged surfaces or ineffective results. Look at those labels for a moment, they are the cheat sheets of cleaning.

Using Dirty Cleaning Tools

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Your cleaning tools are the soldiers on the front lines of a messy battlefield. They’re not fighting the good fight if they’re grimy. Dirty tools spread more filth than you can remove whether its a vacuum filter, mop head, or microfiber cloth. If you don’t clean your tools after each use, you’ll just be chasing your tail.

Procrastinating Deep Cleaning

“Out of sight, out of mind” is not a mantra you want to rely on for deep cleaning . Regular deep cleaning for the things like baseboards, curtains, and under furniture is skipped and dirt and allergens pile up. The National Institutes of Health found neglected areas can have as many as 40 percent more allergens than touched up areas. We promise you, your lungs will thank you.

Overloading the Dishwasher

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Putting dishes in the dishwasher doesn’t make them clean any faster. Overcrowding can actually block water and detergent from getting into every surface, resulting in half cleaned dishes. Think about how you load it; your future self will thank you for the sparkly results.

Rushing Through Vacuuming

Speedy vacuuming is like running through a minefield: you’ll miss something. To avoid this scratch, professional cleaners suggest you slow down and use deliberate strokes. It also ensures that your vacuum is picking up dirt trapped within carpet fibers, not just skimming the surface.

Using Paper Towels for Everything

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Now, paper towels might be the Swiss Army knife of cleaning, but they’re wasteful and not always the most effective. Reusable microfiber cloths are your best friend for stubborn messes or streak prone surfaces. They’re also super eco-friendly, and more efficient at grabbing dirt and grease, too.

Neglecting Air Quality

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You could be the person with the cleanest floors in the neighborhood, but if you have stale air or ignored air filters, it can ruin it for you. Change filters frequently, crack a window, or a quality air purifier. Fresh air is the cherry on top of a tidy home.

Letting Clutter Build Up

Clutter is like a magnet for dust and chaos. Clear surfaces make for a clean space, so clear out the knick knacks and random piles. It’s a well known quote often said by professional organizers, “If you don’t use it or love it, let it go.” Also, your space will instantly feel larger and there’s less to dust.

Using the Wrong Cleaners

There is a soulmate cleaner for every surface, and mismatch them and you’ll do more harm than good. Acidic cleaners ruin stone countertops, for example, and abrasive cleaners scratch delicate surfaces. Never make a costly mistake, always choose the right product for the job.

Cleaning Around, Not Under

It’s tempting to just clean what you can see, but dirt and grime hide where your broom is afraid to go. Moving your furniture and appliances on a routine basis will ensure no sneaky buildup. This little extra effort saves you from a big headache later.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.