Lisa O
When it’s time to clean up around the house, it’s easy to stick to your regular routine without thinking much about it. While it might feel like second nature, some common cleaning habits could actually do more harm than good. Ignoring germs, dust, and grime means more work for you later on. Here are 15 cleaning mistakes that could be spreading bacteria in your home.
Using Dirty Cleaning Tools
Your cleaning routine only works as well as the tools you’re using. Before you get started, make sure your cleaning supplies are in good shape so you don’t spread bacteria, dirt, and dust around. Wash your cleaning cloths, scrub brushes, and mop heads regularly, and sanitize things like toilet brushes after every single use.
Wiping Surfaces Too Early
Getting the best clean isn’t just about spraying, wiping, and moving on. Disinfectants need time to work, so patience is important. Sometimes, the surface has to stay wet for a few minutes to fully kill the germs. Be sure to check the product label to know how long it should sit for proper sanitizing or disinfecting.
Not Cleaning Before Disinfecting
Cleaning and disinfecting aren’t the same, and knowing the difference can change how you tackle surfaces. Cleaning gets rid of germs, while disinfecting uses chemicals to kill them. But if the surface is covered in dust or dirt—the disinfectant can’t do its job properly. That’s why cleaning first is super important. Before you grab the disinfectant spray, make sure the surface is free of dirt and debris so the chemicals can work their magic.
Using the Same Cleaning Cloth Everywhere
Using the same cleaning cloth all over your home might seem smart, but it spreads germs and dirt from one room to another. You definitely don’t want bathroom bacteria on your kitchen counters! Instead, use different clothes for different rooms and wash them often. If you’re using disposable wipes, use one for each cleaning task.
Cleaning Surfaces with Sponges
Think twice before grabbing that sponge to clean your countertops. Kitchen sponges are known for holding onto bacteria, which can spread to other surfaces while you clean. To avoid spreading germs—use a clean microfiber cloth instead. You can also disinfect your sponges regularly and replace them about once a month to keep things safe and clean.
Starting with the Floors
Starting with the floors isn’t the smartest way to clean. When you tackle other areas, crumbs, dust, and dirt can fall onto the floor, meaning you might have to vacuum or mop twice to kill the germs. Instead, kick things off at the top of the room and work your way down so you can clean everything in one go. Always leave the floors for last!
Using Feather Or Disposable Dusters
Feather and disposable dusters might seem like a good choice for dusting surfaces, but they don’t get the job done. All they do is move dust around and often send debris flying into the air, creating allergens and spreading germs without fixing the problem. A high-quality microfiber duster—either a fluffy one or a sturdier chenille duster for those tricky spots—is your best bet for effectively picking up dust without it going everywhere.
Skipping Daily Bathroom Upkeep
Let’s face it: bathrooms can get pretty dirty. Spending just a few minutes each day on basic upkeep will save you a ton of time when it’s time for a deep clean later. After you use the sink, quickly wipe down the faucet, knobs, and bowl with a disposable wipe. Clean up that blob of toothpaste immediately, and wipe off any splatters on the mirror as soon as they happen.
Over-Cleaning Surfaces
Since the pandemic, our hygiene habits have really picked up. While that sounds like a good thing, experts warn that being too strict about disinfecting and cleaning our spaces can actually raise our chances of developing allergies. When we limit our exposure to everyday germs, our immune systems don’t get the practice they need, which can make us more sensitive to allergens later.
Using Paper Towels for Cleaning
A common tool people often grab for deep cleaning high-risk surfaces is good old paper towels. They’re super convenient and single-use, which is way better than using cleaning towels and rags that can spread germs if you use them on different dirty surfaces. But here’s the catch: paper towels aren’t really made for deep cleaning. Their paper material doesn’t pick up germs and bacteria very well, and they usually leave behind a bunch of lint.
Not Drying Your Toilet Brush After Use
The toilet brush is definitely the dirtiest tool in the house—we all know why! But after using it, most of us just toss it back in its holder until we need it again. The problem is that germs and bacteria love moist environments, and since your toilet brush is already surrounded by nasty microbes, it’s the perfect spot for them to multiply.
Neglecting Cutting Boards
People disinfect their bathrooms way more than their kitchens, which is surprising. There are about 200 times more fecal bacteria from raw meat on an average cutting board than on a toilet seat! The cuts on these boards create tiny grooves where bacteria can multiply quickly. If you don’t clean and sanitize your cutting board properly, raw meat and poultry can leave behind salmonella and campylobacter, which are two common causes of foodborne illness.
Forgetting to Open Windows and Doors
Ventilation is one of the best ways to stop the spread of infectious diseases—we’ve known this for a long time. Before you start cleaning, remember to open all your windows and doors to spread fresh air throughout your home. This not only helps with ventilation when you’re using cleaning chemicals but also freshens up the air and improves indoor air quality.
Ignoring Bath Toys
If you don’t dry bath toys properly, they can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Try to make it a habit to leave the toys out in the open air after bath time so they can dry off. When they need a good clean, whip up a mix of warm water, dish soap, vinegar, and two drops of tea tree oil. Just scrub them and let them air dry afterward.
Overlooking Drains
Don’t forget to clean your kitchen and bathroom sink drains regularly—it’s just as important as cleaning the sinks themselves. Clogged drains hold a lot of moisture, which creates a perfect environment for certain types of bacteria that often come from food. Things like raw milk, raw meat, veggies, and unchlorinated water can all be sources of this bacteria that can end up in your drain.