Seven terrible cleaning habits to break immediately

Cleaning is vital for both the physical and mental well-being of every person. But if you don't do it right, it can become a real burden and a source of daily stress.

Housekeeping experts say that this stress is caused, in part, by bad habits. Following them, we can turn cleaning into a futile effort, complicate our lives and even harm our health. OBOZ.UA has figured out what habits you need to get rid of right now in order to clean efficiently and even with pleasure.

Vacuuming too quickly

Regular vacuuming not only removes dirt and dust from the floor, but also purifies the air in the house and fights allergens. But it won't work 100% if you move too fast. Give your vacuum cleaner time to pull in as much dirt as possible. And be sure to change attachments for different types of flooring, and use a special one for corners and crevices to get all the dirt out.

Using detergents instead of disinfectants

It may seem that any cleaning leaves behind a hygienic clean, but this is not the case. Some surfaces, such as doorknobs, switches, and kitchen countertops, require separate removal of bacteria. And ordinary soap won't do the job properly. Soap is good at dissolving household dirt, such as grease or stains from drinks and food. But bacteria and viruses need to be dealt with separately. Buy a household disinfectant and apply it to surfaces for at least 30 seconds (some take up to 10 minutes) before wiping off the residue.

Mixing cleaning products

This is the worst and most dangerous habit you can imagine. The chemicals you use to clean can combine to produce compounds that are so aggressive that they will not only damage the surfaces they come in contact with, but can also burn your skin, eyes, respiratory tract, and even cause severe poisoning. Mixing different kinds of chlorine-containing substances is especially dangerous. Therefore, if you want to protect yourself from trouble, use one product at a time and follow the instructions on the package.

Overloading the dishwasher

Overstuffing the dishwasher significantly reduces the quality of its operation. The water does not reach the items properly, and either traces of food or unrinsed detergent remain on the plates and spoons. In addition, dishes are more likely to be damaged and broken in an overcrowded machine.

Putting off cleaning until you have more work to do

Cleaning is easier the more routine it is. For example, daily sweeping makes vacuuming easier and faster, and routine decluttering can save you from having to clean up all weekend. The "wait until it gets bigger" tactic only works with laundry. Cleaning should be a routine. Spending 15 minutes every day on cleanliness will significantly save time, even on general tidying up.

Using dirty and broken tools

The sponges, brushes, rags, mops, and scrapers you use to shine your home also need to be maintained. If you don't clean your sponge or mop, they will start smearing dirt instead of wiping it off. They can also become a source of bacteria. Rinse all the tools you just used to clean the house, dry everything that needs to be kept dry, disinfect toilet brushes, and heat a dish sponge in the microwave for 60 seconds to make it hygienically clean.

Cleaning without a routine or schedule

To avoid procrastination and help yourself make cleaning a habit, try starting a schedule. Create a checklist where you divide your home into zones and put together the types of work that need to be done, indicating the desired frequency. For example, some people find it easier to do general cleaning once a week, while others like to break up tasks throughout the week. For example, on Monday, tidy up the living room, devote Tuesday to the bathroom and toilet, on Wednesday dust the entire house, on Thursday tidy up the kitchen, and on Friday vacuum the bedrooms and change the bedding. Or try a different approach: set aside a certain amount of time each day to do nothing but clean. Do as you please, but make sure that you put things in order regularly and gradually become a habit.

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