They do nothing but harm: what cleaning habits should be abandoned urgently

First and foremost, cleaning should be efficient. No one wants to spend too much time and effort on useless activities that don't bring any benefit. However, some of the habits that have already been automatically developed in the cleaning process are actually harmful.

Many people use the same sponge to wipe the countertop after washing the dishes. Or, when loading the dishwasher, they try to use every available centimeter of space. Experts told what old cleaning habits can have unpleasant consequences.

Bad habit #1

Using the same sponge to wipe the countertop and wash the dishes only transfers germs. In fact, an old kitchen sponge is probably the dirtiest thing in the house. To avoid cross-contamination, designate one sponge for each purpose.

Bad habit #2

After each use, clean and disinfect household tools such as mops, rags, brooms, vacuum cleaners, etc. Rags can be washed with a disinfectant solution of bleach or vinegar. Remove any debris from mop heads, brooms, and cleaning brushes before soaking them in a bucket of hot water, soap, and disinfectant.

Bad habit #3

If you try to use every inch of space when loading the dishwasher to maximize savings and efficiency, you should think about the consequences. Overloading the dishwasher can lead to a decrease in efficiency - you will need to turn on the second cycle to clean the dishes. Make sure there is enough space between the items to allow the machine to do its job.

Bad habit #4

You may have thought that the more detergent you put in the machine, the cleaner your clothes will be. But overuse can have negative consequences. Excess detergent can stain or discolor clothes, and the accumulation of powder in the fabric can cause it to become stiff or sticky.

Bad habit #5

When your parents asked you to clean your room as a child, it probably meant picking up clothes from the floor and putting away toys. The checklist for cleaning the kitchen was probably just washing dirty dishes, wiping down the countertop, and mopping the floor. Usually, few people pay attention to some of the smallest surfaces, such as door handles. They accumulate a huge amount of germs. Use a disinfectant to clean all door handles in every room.

Bad habit #6

Disinfectants do not work instantly, so wiping them off a few seconds after application will have little effect. You need to wait at least a few minutes. Read the labels before spraying the products and give the liquids the recommended time to kill germs.

Bad habit #7

Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after each use and store it in a place where it can dry. Disinfect your brush in antibacterial mouthwash every week.

Bad habit #8

Keep your kitchen appliances running efficiently with a little regular maintenance. To clean microwaves, place a bowl filled with half vinegar and half water to create steam.

Keep your refrigerator clean by washing the food drawers with hot water and soap and spraying all surfaces with a disinfectant (but non-toxic and food-safe) vinegar solution. Clean your oven with a cleaner made specifically for ovens, or rub everything with a paste made from baking soda and a little water.

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