9 Cleaning Lies You Should Stop Telling Yourself Right Now

Posted on 13/04/2023

How Can I Improve My Cleaning Habits?

Cleaning the house is the last thing you want to do after a long day. That is why you are more likely to ignore the mess and soothe our guilty conscious with a couple of little white lies. Sounds familiar? You can keep telling yourself that you will wash those dishes and get your kitchen sink gleaming eventually, but don’t even think for a second that you will get away with these excuses. Here are some of the ways in which you probably trick your mind into justifying your bad domestic cleaning habits.

1. “I don’t need to scrub the sink to keep it clean.”

Many people assume that it is enough to wash the dishes to keep the kitchen sink clean. This is not exactly true. You need to give your kitchen sink the attention it deserves. The grease and food from your pots, pans and plates stick to the sink’s walls. Cleaning this area of your kitchen thoroughly will prevent the build-up of grime and bacteria. The same goes for your bathroom sink. Quickly rub the surface to remove any residue after using the sink. This way you will have less to scrub later, when you deep clean your bathroom.

2. “I can change the vacuum bag when it’s full.”

Yes, you can. But keeping a cup or a bag that is three-quarters full of dust and dirt may affect the suctioning power of your vacuum cleaner. Not sure when you should remove the old bag? If you notice a considerable drop in suction, you need to change it.

3. “There is nothing wrong in leaving the detergent chamber of my dishwasher open.”

You might want to take the extra second to ensure that the dispenser’s lid is locked before you turn on the dishwasher. Otherwise the detergent can get spilled out of the chamber and fluttered down the drain, when the water starts sprinkling. This will leave you with wet, but dirty dishes.

4. “Wearing shoes in the house doesn’t cause a lot of mess.”

Using doormats and leaving your shoes in the hallway can make house cleaning a lot easier. When you limit the amount of dirt that enters your home, your place will not get stained that quickly and you will have less to clean. Forget about wearing shoes in the house if you don’t want to spend hours in home cleaning.

5. “Leaving the loofah to drip dry prevents germs.”

These spongy and moist tools provide the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive in. When the wet loofah doesn’t dry out properly, the germs grow and cover the surface. Then when you wash your body, you spread the bacteria instead of cleaning it. Change the bath sponges every three to four weeks.

6. “Hand-wash-only clothes can be cleaned with regular detergent.”

There is a reason why some clothes should be hand-washed. These fabrics require a gentler approach. The enzymes in the harsh cleaning products can damage fibres such as wool and silk. Instead, pick a more delicate detergent before you plunge your clothes into the suds.

7. “Changing my sheets every week is too much.”

Sorry to break it to you, but your bed is not as clean as you think. It is covered with human cells, sweat and human excretions. The sheets are a perfect breeding ground for dust mites and bacteria. The linens are in direct contact with your skin and can cause breakouts and allergies.

8. “I can clean everything with vinegar!”

It’s true that vinegar is one of the most popular natural cleaners. However, it’s recommendable to use it with moderation because it can damage surfaces like granite and marble or ruin the finish the hardwood floors. You should also avoid using it for removing egg stains and spills. Be careful when using vinegar for house cleaning.

9. “I can throw my jeans in the freezer, instead of tossing them in the washing machine.”

While some fashionistas suggest that washing wears out clothes faster, you still need to give your jeans an occasional wash.

Are you guilty of any of these cleaning lies? You can now start doing it the right way.