It is essential to have a clean house. That’s because it makes your space appealing to your family and guests. It also ensures your health and safety. And if you intend to sell your house eventually, a clean house looks attractive to potential home buyers.
However, there are cleaning tactics that we do not know can be harmful in many ways. It can harm our well-being or our belongings.
That said, we have listed seven cleaning mistakes that can be harmful to you and your house.
1. Mixing multiple products
You may think that mixing different cleaning products makes them extra effective. But what you do not know is that it can produce gas, leading to breathing difficulties.
This explains why we do not mix cleaning products at Maid Sailors Cleaning Services NYC. More so if we are using bleach or ammonia.
Instead, it is advisable to use one cleaning product at a time. The least you can do is dilute harsh chemicals in the water. Better yet, opt for homemade or natural cleaning products to reduce the use of harsh chemicals in your house.
2. Lack of ventilation
Research has proved that chemical-laden cleaning products can cause respiratory issues. Luckily, you can reduce this issue by opening your home glass window when cleaning.
Doing so ensures that your house is well-ventilated. And when a home is well-ventilated, it allows cleaning products to evaporate fast. This reduces your chances of inhaling volatile organic compounds that can be harmful to you and the environment.
3. Reusing cleaning wipes
You may think germs are brought and spread by pests and vermis. What you do not know is that we also spread bacteria unknowingly.
Sure, your cleaning wipes are known to disinfect a surface. But when you use the same wipes over and over, you are likely spreading ill-causing germs.
To ensure that the disinfectant in the wipes takes effect, use different cleaning wipes on another surface.
4. Using the same cleaning cloth
The same with cleaning wipes, using the same cleaning cloth can lead to cross-contamination. This means that you are spreading pathogenic microorganisms without you knowing.
That said, it is ideal to use a different cloth for every surface. You can even apply color-coded microfiber cloths to know what should be used where and how much cleaning the fabrics require afterward.
For example, you can use brown microfiber to wipe toilets and the floor surrounding the bathroom. Those then receive double sanitization in the wash.
5. Excessive use of furniture polish
Your cleaner may produce a smell like lemons or flowers, but that can also cause health issues.
Typical health difficulties from exposure to scented cleaning products and harsh furniture polish include:
- Migraines
- Asthma attacks
- Breathing problems
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Nausea
- Watery eyes
- Skin rashes.
Rather than using these types of products, opt for something “fragrance-free.”
6. Not cleaning your vacuum
We sure love our vacuums because they make carpet cleaning easy. The same thing goes for upholstered furniture, rugs, mattresses, and much more.
Though our vacuum can do a lot of cleaning, we frequently neglect to clean them. This makes the vacuum less effective and can shorten its lifespan due to a lack of proper maintenance.
That said, you should take the time to clean your vacuum. We suggest doing this as soon as you are done cleaning.
Take your vacuum to the garage and use the shop vac nozzle to vacuum the tucks of the filter. That way, you will always have a clean vacuum whenever you are scheduled to clean the house.
7. Not wearing gloves
Similar to keeping the windows open, you should always wear gloves (even goggles) while cleaning. Gloves and goggles can help you protect your skin and eyes, respectively. This is especially true if you are using chemical-laden cleaning products.
Another thing you can wear is an N95 face mask. Doing so can help filter the dust and prevent you from inhaling them. As such, you are reducing your chances of having respiratory issues.
You do not always have to wear protective gear when cleaning. But they can come in handy to reduce the risk of developing breathing problems or allergy attacks. More so if you are spring cleaning or cleaning enclosed space like an attic or an often disregarded area like the basement.
Conclusion
Cleaning your house is both challenging and rewarding. It is not easy because cleaning is a daunting task. But it is rewarding because you can have a relaxing space in the end.
Plus, a clean house is attractive to potential home buyers if you intend to sell it.
However, some cleaning habits are proven more harmful than helpful. So, refer to this post if you are unsure whether your cleaning practice is beneficial. And if you find out that it is not, it only makes sense to break the habit immediately.
