Although cleaning is a vital task to the health and wellbeing of any home or business, it is also an incredibly tedious task that is easy to get tired of when having to repeat it daily. Due to this tediousness, people will often try and develop ways to cut corners or shorten the time it takes to properly clean a space.
Although it is ok to sometimes skirt your way around the entirety of a good deep clean, there are certain processes that when not done often enough can become forgotten or left out of the daily cleaning ritual.
At S.J. Services, we know the importance of a thorough clean, keep reading to learn about common cleaning mistakes and how to avoid them.
Not Cleaning Appliances and Cleaning Tools
Appliances such as dishwashers, vacuums, and ovens are all tools we use in daily life to cook and clean. Although they are designed to be tools that aid in making our cleaning tasks easier, they too need a little TLC on occasion.
In order for them to properly do their job, every once in a while be sure to thoroughly clean the inside of the stove, dishwasher, washing machine, and fridge. Take out any removable parts and give them a thorough clean with soap and hot water in the sink. Also be sure to take apart the vacuum and take out any hair or dust that is trapped and switch out or clean filters every few uses. Keeping these devices clean allows them to function properly and prevents trekking old dirt and debris around the office.
Using the Same Sponge or Rag for Everything
Oftentimes it can be seen as most efficient to use the same rag or sponge to do all the wiping and cleaning around the house. This tactic, however, actually has the opposite effect. Sponges and rags that are used to clean and then left in the sink are wet, warm, and covered in food and bacteria. This environment is incredibly conducive to spreading germs and generating more icky bacteria you don’t want to then spread around your house.
Make swapping out sponges a regular practice and utilize rags for one cleaning job before tossing them in the washing machine. As a good rule of thumb, keep your messes and the things you use to clean them separate.
Not Cleaning Fixtures in High Traffic Areas
Oftentimes the desire to clean is triggered by a visual upset – dishes in the sink, a spill in the fridge, or a carpet that has been trekked over one too many times. There are, however, messes that are virtually invisible and frequently overlooked. Fixtures that are frequently used- whether they be light switches, door knobs, cabinet handles, faucets, etc. are just examples of some surfaces that are plagued with bacteria. Incorporating a routine of disinfecting these surfaces daily will lessen the spread of germs, colds, and sickness between coworkers and the public.
Disinfecting Before Cleaning
The difference between simply cleaning and disinfection are not often discussed, however, there is a distinction and they should be completed in sequential order. Cleaning a surface, i.e. removing dust, debris, dirt, etc. then allows for a clear surface, which should then be disinfected to kill any germs or bacteria lingering on the surface. Completing only one of these tasks does not properly cleanse a surface, instead cleaning and then disinfecting is the best process to ensure your efforts are not going to waste.
Spraying Directly onto Surfaces
To avoid greasy build up from disinfectant sprays and to get an overall better clean, make it a practice to spray cleaning solutions onto a sponge or cloth before wiping down surfaces. Spraying directly on surfaces makes for a more laborious cleaning process, is prone to leaving streaks, and is wasteful of expensive cleaning products.
Our cleaning teams go through ongoing and specialized training to ensure that best practices are being used for your business or school.
Using Abrasive Pads on Stainless Steel and Delicate Surfaces
People typically associate a good clean with aggressive scrubbing. Abrasive pads are great for stubborn food remnants on pans or thick soap scum on bathtubs, however, using such a disruptive material to clean surfaces such as glass or stainless steel can be incredibly harmful. When you use the improper cleaning tools to clean these delicate surfaces you run the risk of creating dull patches or scratching, instead opt for a softer microfiber towel and let the cleaning solution and good old elbow grease bring your appliances, counters, windows, stovetops mirrors, etc. back to life without damaging them.
Cleaning from Bottom to Top
Although your floors may be one of the most obviously dirty areas of your home, cleaning from the bottom of a space to the top is counterproductive in the long run. Instead of doing all the work sweeping and mopping just to wipe your counters off, sending dust and crumbs to your freshly cleaned floor, opt to clean a space top to bottom.
Start by dusting any tall surfaces- the tops of hutches and cabinets, window fans, tops of cabinets, etc. then make your way down until you eventually reach the floor. You’ll know that any debris you clean up won’t be replaced moments later and freshly cleaned floors will remain shiny and smooth much longer.
Using the Wrong Solution for the Wrong Job
For as long as people have been cleaning and running into stubborn issues such as mold, stains and other difficult tasks, there have been cleaning hacks and tricks claiming to tackle them head on. These tricks, however, do not always stand up to the test of time. Oftentimes, as science has evolved, there have been discoveries surrounding how different chemical components and combinations react with one another.
For example, whereas bleach was one considered the best tactic to fight against mold, it is now well known that instead of killing it, it simply takes the color from it. This lets the bleach continue to grow undetected. To make sure you aren’t falling victim to common myths, do research before handling a big (or little) cleaning task, you’ll be surprised at how effective the results of the correct method of cleaning can yield.
Not Hiring a Professional Service
Although completing a DIY cleaning task is empowering when done correctly, when done incorrectly it can lead to more serious issues or damage to affected surfaces. Sometimes the biggest cleaning mistake you can make is thinking you can handle a task that would be best fit for a professional. If you even have a small doubt in you or your employees abilities to maintain a space’s cleanliness, contact S.J. Services and see what we can do for you.