16 Bad Cleaning Habits That Are Ruining Your Home

Doing chores is usually not top on our list of enjoyable activities. It's much more fun to go on a hike, watch a marathon of a favorite show, or visit friends. Since everything in life is a balance, it's okay to leave a few dust bunnies under the bed for a week or so, but there are some bad cleaning habits that you should break because they can do more damage to your home.

Overlooking Small Plumbing Issues

A small drip in the kitchen sink, a slow-draining bathroom sink, and a toilet that runs continually can all be irritating. They don't seem to be a big problem, but they will be if you don't attend to them promptly. Clogged toilets and pipes can overflow or burst. Small puddles from leaks can encourage mold and rot away wood flooring and support beams.

The Solution

Regularly clean sink and shower drains to remove hair and grease clogs. Listen carefully for running water or drips inside and outside your home. Many small plumbing issues can be resolved with just a few tools and materials. If you're not handy, call a plumber.

Neglecting HVAC Air Filters and Vents

Allowing vents to become clogged with dust taxes the system and can cause it to fail. Vacuuming the vents monthly and replacing the filter takes less than 15 minutes and will protect the system and improve the air quality for your family.

The Solution

Vacuum heating and cooling system vents monthly and replace the air filter as directed by your HVAC specialist.

Using the Wrong Cleaning Products

Kudos for cleaning but not all cleaning is good if you are using the wrong products. Harsh chemicals can strip off protective finishes and some cleaning products can build-up and ruin what you're trying to keep clean. For example, using an acid-based cleaner, even distilled white vinegar, on marble countertops can etch the stone. This is not reversible unless you have the stone ground down, which is quite expensive. Or, using liquid or paste floor wax on laminate or wooden floors sealed with polyurethane will leave the finish looking dull and dirty. Stripping away that wax can actually damage the factory-applied sealant.

The Solution

Read the labels on every cleaning product and take the time to learn manufacturer and expert opinions on how to care for different finishes.

Allowing Clutter to Accumulate

We all have clutter and often allow it to accumulate until it seems impossible to ever get organized. Not being able to find your favorite shirt is one thing but allowing clutter and garbage to accumulate in excess provides the perfect haven for rodents, roaches, moths, spiders, and fungus to thrive.

The Solution

Empty trash cans that contain food waste daily. At least seasonally, sweep through living and storage areas to get rid of paper, especially cardboard. Monitor every area for insect and rodent activity and treat accordingly.

Not Finishing the Cleaning Chore

While any cleaning is usually a step in the right direction, not finishing the task can also cause problems. Some chores can be done in small steps, like removing clutter, others must be started and completed in one process. For example, when you treat stains on carpets, you must finish the chore by blotting or rinsing away all of the cleaning solution. Leaving soapy residue in carpet fibers will cause the carpet to attract more dirt and look even worse.

The Solution

Learn the steps for each household chore before you begin and plan your time accordingly for the best results for your efforts.

Ignoring Annoying Beeps

Nearly every electronic device emits alerts and beeps. Some are helpful, many are annoying, some can be ignored, and some can even save your life. Ignoring beeps from smoke and carbon dioxide detectors that need a battery change can be a fatal error. The damage from even a small kitchen fire can run into thousands of dollars and can be life-threatening.

The Solution

Regularly change batteries in home protection systems and, following the manufacturer's instructions, update as needed.

Forgetting About Hidden Spots

You probably haven't given your clothes dryer or kitchen hood venting system a thought in quite some time. These everyday workhorses carry away moisture, lint, cooking odors, and grease particles each time you use them. When was the last time you cleaned them? Forgetting these hidden systems can result in fires and extensive damage.

The Solution

Make a note in your phone or calendar to schedule regular cleanings.

Focusing Only on Indoor Chores

There are always things to be done when you are responsible for both indoor cleaning and outdoor areas. Some things are simply unsightly, like weeds in the lawn or muddy concrete patios. Others, like gutters clogged with leaves or pine straw, have the potential to cause damage to your home and lower its value. Overflowing gutters lead to moisture problems, roof damage, and pest issues.

The Solution

At least seasonally, walk the outside of your home and make a list of chores that should be done. Then do them or hire some help.

Not Disinfecting While You Clean

Cleaning wipes away dirt, dust, and grime. It's what makes your home feel like it's sparkling and new again. But cleaning is only half the battle. If you don't disinfect your space after you clean it, you could leave behind germs, including bacteria and viruses, on your surfaces.

The Solution

After you clean, use a disinfecting solution made with bleach or alcohol to completely sanitize a surface and make sure it's germ-free.

Using Dirty Cleaning Supplies

You may have the best of intentions wiping down your kitchen counters with a sponge, but when was the last time you replaced that sponge? If it's been a while, you could be doing more harm than good as you spread germs across your counter with each swipe.

The Solution

Replace your cleaning and dish sponges every week to two weeks to make sure you don't let germs build up.

Overloading the Dishwasher

Don't try to fit in that one last dish! Overloading the dishwasher can lead to several issues, including dishes that don't get fully clean and excessive wear and tear on the machine. Too many dishes can even cause a dishwasher to leak.

The Solution

Load the dishwasher only until the spaces are full with the intended items. Don't start doubling up plates or overcrowding glasses.

Dusting Last

If you wait until after you've vacuumed to dust, then you could find yourself undoing all of your hard work. You'll stir up dust all over your previously clean space.

The Solution

Use a top down approach when cleaning your home. Start by dusting, then move onto vacuuming to clean up all of the dust that settled.

Leaving Dirty Dishes In the Sink

Too tired to do the dishes after dinner? You might want to think twice before you leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight. A sink full of food and dishes is a breeding ground for bacteria, which doesn't necessarily stay confined to the sink. It can spread throughout your kitchen.

The Solution

Come up with a plan for washing dishes immediately after a meal. Maybe it's through teamwork or allowing for an extra five minutes to quickly rinse the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. It takes less time than worrying about it!

Using Too Much Cleaning Product

While cleaning products are typically safe in moderation, using too much of them can actually be harmful. Because cleaning products can contain chemicals, an excessive amount can lead to headaches, allergic reactions, and even lung issues.

The Solution

Remember, more is not more! Use only the minimum spray of your favorite cleaning product that you need to clean adequately, rather than soaking a surface.

Using Too Much Laundry Detergent

More laundry detergent doesn't equal cleaner clothes. Instead, it can increase the wear and tear on your machine by making it worker harder to rinse items. In some cases, it won't rinse the clothes sufficiently, and you'll have to run another cycle. And, in the worst cases, your machine could overflow.

The Solution

Read the directions on the detergent carefully and use only the recommended amount of detergent for each load.

Forgetting About Your Microwave

Every time your pasta sauce explodes throughout your microwave or you heat up a soup, those food particles and grease spots accumulate. And, if you don't clean them regularly, they'll become a hotbed of bacteria. Plus, they'll become tougher to clean with time.

The Solution

Invest in a dishwasher safe microwave lid to protect spills and splatters, and, when messes do happen, clean them immediately.