Most of us clean our home interior every day, making sure the dishes are done, the kitchen and bathroom are clean, and the laundry isn't building up too much.

However, it’s true that even the most meticulous individuals can neglect minor details without realizing it. 

Indeed, many people unintentionally make household duties more difficult than they need to be, and in some circumstances, they unintentionally make their houses dirtier than they were before. 

In this post, we break down some typical bad cleaning habits and mistakes you might not even realize you're committing in the name of cleaner houses.

Here are some of the bad cleaning habits you didn't realize you had.

1. Washing your cutting board with soap

You should always wash your cutting board after slicing vegetables, fruit, or meat on it. But, contrary to popular belief, washing it with soapy water isn't the solution.

To thoroughly sanitize your board and avoid bacteria transmission, soak it in bleach after each use (or at least those boards used for things like raw meat that carry harmful bacteria).

2. Overloading (or poorly loading) your dishwasher

Dishwashers make our lives simpler, but they must be correctly loaded to operate efficiently. Improper loading might cause your equipment to malfunction.

Load your dishwasher with care, making sure everything is in its appropriate position and that it is not overloaded.

Make sure the sprayer arms can reach the filthy areas, mix up the silverware so it doesn't clump together, and store your cups upside down in the top drawer.

3. Not washing your pillows

You may be aware that you should wash your pillowcases weekly, but what about your actual pillows?

Dust mites, body oils, and germs from your body and hair can all be found on your pillow, which is why you should wash it every three to six months.

4. Cleaning stainless steel in circular motions

It takes very little to get a stainless steel appliance dirty. Your refrigerator can be completely smudged with just one touch.

When cleaning, avoid wiping in circular motions because the marks will show up when the cleaner dries.

Instead, look for the stainless steel's grain and follow it. There will be a significant change. You should clean the interior of your refrigerator as well.

5. Overlooking switches and remotes

You're familiar with the main jobs: vacuuming, mopping, and dusting. However, certain objects in your home may have never been cleaned but still contain a significant amount of germs.

Two areas of housekeeping that are frequently forgotten are light switches and remote controls. 

Sneezing or coughing into your hand and then turning on the TV or light might spread cold viruses. 

A disinfectant spray is an excellent place to start, and a bleach wipe can get into the hard-to-reach places where the harmful gunk hides.

6. Using a dirty sponge

The goal is to ensure that your products work for you rather than against you. Dirty sponges will just spread the dirt.

Probably, the dirtiest item in your house is your sponge.

As a result, change it or disinfect it with diluted bleach regularly to avoid accidentally spreading germs when washing your dishes and other surfaces.

7. Scrubbing a fresh carpet stain

Grabbing a towel and scrubbing at a stain is a normal response, but it will do more harm than good to your carpet.

The idea is to carefully wipe the stain to remove as much as possible—ideally until the area is dry. 

Scrubbing, on the other hand, not only damages the carpet fibre but also forces the stain further into the carpet. Once dry, use a stain lifter and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

8. Ignoring your toothbrush holder

It's easy to forget about your toothbrush holder, especially if it's a type that you can't see the inside (where most of the grime collects).

Use hot water, a pipe cleaner or tiny scrub brush, and mouthwash to clean your toothbrush holder—and your toothbrush—and keep bacteria at bay.

9. Not cleaning your fridge vent

You could have a spotless fridge inside, but it's all for nought if you haven't cleaned the grill and vent.

This is frequently overlooked, causing dust to accumulate and eventually slowing down the system. Simply wipe it clean at least once a month. 

Wipe clean the grill and vent with a soft cloth sprayed with an all-purpose spray.

A vacuum cleaner with a hose extension may also be used to suck up dirt and grime in tiny, hard-to-reach areas.

Don't forget the top of your fridge and the space behind it while you're at it.

In a Nutshell

Now that you know these bad home cleaning habits, it's time to break these behaviours and make cleaning much easier, faster, and more efficient.

Furthermore, if you'd like to change the interior design of your home, make sure you work with a reliable home renovation contractor in Malaysia.