Everyone was taught this in childhood: what household habits do more harm than good

Cleaning is an integral part of our lives. That's why we gradually start learning how to do it from childhood, watching our parents.

The habits we pick up from our moms and dads become the basis of our own household life. However, they are not always positive, so Southern Living has shared a few ways of cleaning that are inefficient and harmful.

Using one sponge for everything

Using one sponge or rag for all surfaces is a big mistake. This way, germs from one place spread to all the others.

To avoid cross-contamination, assign different colors of sponges and cloths to different surfaces. Also, remember to change them regularly.

Not cleaning tools

Just like anything else, your mops, brooms, vacuums, brushes, etc., get dirty over time. Therefore, they should be thoroughly washed and disinfected after each use to prevent bacteria from growing in the cleaning tools and dirt from spreading throughout your home.

Overloading the dishwasher

A dishwasher is not a Tetris game, so don't overload it to the point where there is no room left. Overloading the appliance can lead to reduced cleaning efficiency and damage to either parts of the dishwasher or the dishes themselves. Therefore, before starting the wash cycle, make sure there is enough space between the plates, bowls, etc. to allow the machine to do its job.

Adding too much detergent

Some parents may have believed that the more detergent they use, the cleaner the clothes will be, but this is not the case. On the contrary, an excessive amount of powder can negatively affect the quality of fabrics. Also, by using too much detergent, you force the washing machine to use more water than necessary.

Take the time to read the instructions on the detergent package and find out what dose the manufacturer recommends to use per load.

Forgetting to clean doorknobs

When your parents asked you to clean your room as a kid, it probably meant picking things up off the floor and vacuuming. Because of this, most people rarely pay attention to dirt in non-obvious places, such as door handles. Many people touch them every day, so they accumulate a huge amount of germs.

Wiping down the disinfectant immediately

Most people assume that disinfectant detergents work instantly, so we wipe them off a few seconds after applying them to a surface. But most of them need to be applied for several minutes to kill all the bacteria. To make sure, read the instructions on the cleaning products.

Using paper towels to clean everything

Over the past few years, the world has become much more environmentally conscious, so nowadays, using paper towels to wipe your desk, windows, hands, etc. is considered unsustainable. There are now many reusable cloths for different surfaces.

Not following the right order

Your parents may have vacuumed first, then dusted, changed the bedding, etc. But this is completely ineffective because the dust from the surfaces will fall to the floor and the feeling of cleanliness will disappear. Therefore, it is better to clean from top to bottom.

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