Most of us make it a goal to keep our house clean and tidy. Cleaning the house may look like a straightforward task, but there are certain aspects that are generally overlooked. Cleaning is a time consuming and tedious activity. And most of us make common cleaning mistakes that do not provide us with the results we expect. So here is a list of cleaning mistakes to avoid for better results and a sparkling clean home.

Mixing cleaning chemicals
You may think mixing two or more cleaning products will increase the cleaning power. However, this can be very dangerous as it might release toxic fumes. For example, household cleaners like Clorox Pinesol should never be mixed with bleach as they can react together to produce hazardous chlorine gas or even chloroform. Similarly, Pinesol disinfectant should not be mixed with room spray sanitizer as the chemicals could react together to unleash a toxic cloud of gases that can trigger respiratory problems and even cause skin burns.

Instead of mixing chemicals, use a single cleaning agent or solution and stick to a reliable brand. Alternatively, you can also enlist the help of a cleaning company, like Servpro Services, which offers a range of affordable home cleaning services.

Using feather dusters
A feather duster may seem very useful, but all it does is spread the dust from one surface to another. Instead of a feather duster, use a microfiber cloth or damp cotton cloth that will grab hold of dust particles. Using a dry rag also has the same effect; it moves the dust around and can even cause scratches on smooth surfaces.

Reusing cleaning rags
Using the same cleaning rags for multiple surfaces only helps spread dust and germs around the house. It also leaves messy-looking streaks on surfaces like countertops and tables. Even if the cleaning rag does not look old, it needs to be replaced regularly for effective cleaning. Buy and stock cotton or microfiber cleaning cloths the next time you shop for your  home needs . Replace the clothes every week if you are using them to clean extremely dirty areas. Ideally, you should have different microfiber cloths for different areas of your home and wash them thoroughly after each use.

Cleaning from the ground up
When cleaning the house, do you clean the floor first and then the tables, countertops, and other surfaces? This will end up spreading dirt and dust over the floors once again. Clean your furniture, countertops, and windows first, and vacuum or mop the floors at the very end. This ensures that the dirt from the furniture spreading over the floors gets cleaned thoroughly. Also, clean high-touch points like doorknobs, remote controls, light switches, phones, door handle, etc., as they tend to have more dirt and germs than other surfaces.

Spraying cleaner directly onto surfaces
When cleaning surfaces, spray the cleaning solution onto the rag or microfiber cloth rather than directly onto the surfaces. This way, you can prevent a build-up of the cleaning product on your furniture and avoid streaky finishes.

Using spray cleaners on electronics
Avoid spraying cleaning solutions on electronic items like the laptop screen, TV, mobile, etc. The solution can damage the screen. Also, using paper towels and tissues can cause scratches on the screen as the towels contain minute wood fibers. Instead, use a microfiber cloth to clean electronic items. Spray the cleaner onto the microfiber cloth rather than onto the screen.

Avoiding bin-liners
If you do not clean and wipe down your dustbins regularly, they will begin to smell. Make sure you use odor-deterrent bin liners to ensure that the waste does not stick to the inside of the dustbin. Bin-liners or garbage bags like  Clorox Forceflex Glad  come in various sizes and are scented with lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus, or pine fragrances. The Clorox in the bags eliminates bacterial and food odors emanating from the waste.

Not cleaning or replacing the cleaning tools regularly
We have already mentioned cleaning rags, but it is also essential to regularly clean and replace other tools like scrub brushes, mop heads, toilet brushes, etc. You should also wipe down your vacuum cleaner regularly, change out the bags, and clean the filter. It is best to clean your washing machine regularly, as well. Run it on a self-cleaning cycle with hot water, vinegar, and baking soda. Wipe down the outside of the washing machine to remove dust and dirt. Let the toilet brush dry completely before putting it back in the holder. A wet brush can breed fungus and bacteria and spread these germs the next time you use the same toilet brush. When your mop-heads look dull and dirty, swap them out with new ones. Otherwise, you will only end up spreading dirt on your floors when you use a dirty mop head.

Conclusion
It is important to keep your house clean and free from germs and pests so that your living environment remains safe and healthy for you and your family. However, cleaning can often be a tedious chore, and you may not always be able to make the time to do a thorough deep clean. In such a case, you can always take the help of professionals like  Servpro cleaning services  that offer various services like odor removal, carpet and upholstery, sewage and toilet overflow, drapes, blinds, etc., at affordable rates.

If you prefer cleaning the house regularly on your own, make sure you stock up on cleaning supplies. You should have a good supply of cleaning sprays, disinfectants, stain removers, microfiber cloths, garbage bags, etc. Remember to provide enough ventilation when using cleaning agents so that fumes from these products do not irritate your respiratory passage. Follow the tips mentioned to ensure your home is neat and safe. Happy cleaning!