Scrubbing and scouring is the key to keeping a tidy home, right?
Though you may have the best of intentions, some cleaning blunders
can actually end up doing more harm then good. For example, washing
your windows
on a sunny day may be causing those stubborn streaks you see on the
glass. “Being aware of common cleaning mistakes can protect your
investment in your home,” says Daron Tandberg, owner of White Glove Cleaning Services in Yakima, Washington.
“It’s better to prevent damage than to try to repair it.” Read on
for common cleaning no-no’s, plus info on how to do the job
correctly.

Mistake #1: You scrub spills out of
carpeting.

Do you hit the ground scrubbing every time a glass of red wine
or juice box topples over? “Scrubbing actually untwists carpet
fibers, causing the pile to become distorted,” says Bruce Vance,
master textile cleaner with Town & Country
Services in Pittsboro-Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “Once the
damage is done, it’s permanent.” In other words, even though you
might be able to eventually get a stain out of carpet, you won’t
ever be able to fix untwisted fibers. The smarter way to remove a
stain is by first scraping up what you can with a spoon. Then blot
the area with a clean
white cloth or white paper towel (avoid styles with designs because
they may bleed). Continue blotting until dry, or place a heavy book
on top of the towels, changing them out frequently, until no more
moisture is absorbed. Now you’re ready to treat the spot with a
stain remover, but be sure to pretest the product in a hidden area
first to make sure it won’t fade your carpet’s color. For
tips on removing specific stains—everything from beer to
berries––visit Carpet-Rug.org. Photo: iStock

See
which portable stain removers actually work.

Mistake #2: You clean windows on a sunny
day.

If bright sunshine inspires you to make your windows gleam, take
pause. “Due to the heat of the sun, the cleaning solution you use
will dry too quickly and leave streaks on the glass,” says Liz
Trotter, owner of American Maid
Cleaning in Olympia, Washington. Your best bet is to choose a
cloudy day or work when the temperature isn’t higher than 70°F
outside. Apply any window cleaning solution you like; all contain
agents that will help lift dirt off the window. Let the product sit
for a minute, then use a white-backed sponge (the kind for non-stick
cookware) to work the solution around the window. Pull a squeegee once horizontally across the top, then
vertically down the entire window, overlapping strokes slightly.
Keep pressure even, and wipe blade after each stroke to prevent
drips. This method will work on both the inside and outside of
windows. Photo: iStock

Mistake #3: You use vinegar or lemon juice on everything
because you think it’s mild.

With so much emphasis on organic cleaning products these days,
it seems like a no-brainer to go all-natural. But both lemon juice
and vinegar are acids which can damage natural surfaces such as
marble, limestone, travertine and onyx. “They will permanently dull
the appearance of stone, which can be expensive to have
refinished,” says Vance. However, a vinegar solution (1 Tbsp
vinegar mixed with 1/2 gallon water) is fine for removing
soap
scum and water scale from surfaces such as fiberglass tubs, ceramic
tile and showerheads. But for natural stones, stick to neutral
cleaning solutions designed specifically for them. Go to UseNaturalStone.com to learn more about how to care
for the natural surfaces in your home.
Photo: Shutterstock

Learn everything you need to know about
dishwashers.

Mistake #4: You deodorize the garbage disposal with
coffee grounds.

It’s necessary to deodorize your disposal because food particles
can build up inside the grinding mechanism and create odors. But
coffee isn’t the way to go. While some manufacturers say it’s fine
to put grounds through the disposal, if you don’t run enough water
while doing so, they won’t get flushed through and end up just
sitting there—causing potential clogs––because the blades are too
big to grind them up. To be on the safe side, trash or compost them
instead. To properly deodorize your disposal, grind up a lemon (cut
into quarters) periodically instead, says Trotter. Or try a commercial disposal cleaning product. And don’t
forget to clean the rubber gasket over the disposal every week
because food particles stick to it and cause odors. Read more about
how to keep your appliances working smoothly here. Photo: Shutterstock

Mistake #5: You think every cleaner is a
disinfectant.

All cleaning solutions are not created equal, and it pays to
spend a little more time reading labels. Certain areas of the
house, like the kitchen sink, countertops, bathtubs and door
handles (if a family member is ill with a cold or flu), require a
true disinfectant to kill germs. Unless the cleaning product has an
EPA registration number in tiny print on the label (it will say
something like EPA Reg No. 123), it’s not a disinfectant. Read the
label, and more importantly, follow the directions. “Most
disinfectants need to remain wet on a surface for a specified
amount of time,” says Vance. “If you’re spraying it on the surface
and immediately wiping it up, you’re not disinfecting.” Photo:
iStock

Discover
the surprising places germs lurk.

Mistake #6: You use the wrong tool for the
job.

The biggest risk here is using a tool that’s too abrasive for
the job. For example, green-backed cleaning sponges are for
heavy-duty cleaning jobs like the bottom of pots and pants or a
grill grate, but they scratch some surfaces such as plastic,
ceramic cooktops and laminate, says Trotter. However, white-backed cleaning sponges won’t scratch
most surfaces. Along the same lines, white specialty sponges, such
as Mr.
Clean Magic Eraser, are great for soap scum in the bathtub but
may damage surfaces such as vinyl flooring. So read the
product’s label to see what surfaces it’s safe to use on
before you start scrubbing away. Photo: Shutterstock

Mistake #7: You use furniture polish every time you
dust.

Furniture polish and oils were used in the old days when
furniture didn’t have a protective topcoat. However, they are an
unnecessary step with today’s finishes. If you have a piece you
inherited, you may want to continue to use furniture wax or oil
occasionally; however, stick with the same product to avoid buildup
on the finish—using a variety of products with different base
ingredients case can create a gummy residue due to chemical
reactions. To clean more modern pieces, use a lightly damp (meaning
just a few drops of water) microfiber cloth and dust with the
grain, says Tandberg. If you see water drops on the surface after
you clean, the rag is too wet. Photo: Shutterstock

Transform flea market finds into chic furniture
pieces.

Mistake #8: You use too much cleaning product, thinking
more is better.

It’s tempting to oust stains and messes with a surplus of
product—just in case, right? But “companies want to sell products,
so if they thought more would work better, they’d tell you that,”
says Vance. “Using more is just wasting product and may eventually
create a sticky buildup on whatever surface you’re cleaning.” The
amount you should use will be indicated on the label—stick with the
recommendation and save money by not using more than you really
need. While there’s no general rule of thumb about how much of a
DIY cleaning product (like a vinegar solution) to use, keep in mind
that everything you’re applying to the surface must be picked back
up by your rag or else you’ll end up with a filmy residue that,
over time, will become tougher to clean. Photo: iStock

Article originally appeared on
WomansDay.com.