Keeping your surroundings clean and free of dust and germs is essential. Most people undertake cleaning rituals as a part of their daily chores. However, without realizing it, they may be doing more harm than good while going about the cleaning tasks. These common cleaning mistakes we often make leave behind a trail of dirt, allergens, and grime. Here’s a list of eight things to avoid doing when cleaning your home: Reusing sponges without disinfecting Most of us reach out for the sponge without even thinking twice, especially when wiping kitchen countertops and bathroom sink tops. Sponges are good absorbers of grime, but they are also perfect for facilitating the growth of bacteria and other micro-organisms. When you repeatedly use the same sponge, it is easy for the bacterial growth to get transferred to your kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Such a mistake is common but one that can prove to be enormously costly. The solution is to use microfiber clothes to wipe these commonly exposed surfaces instead of a sponge. But if you love the sponge, make sure that you disinfect it from time to time. Also, ensure that you change the sponge or the microfiber cloth every month. Ignoring common touchpoints Every house has common touchpoints, like the door knobs or the taps.

Home maintenance is an ongoing task. Falling behind on HVAC systems’ maintenance, appliance maintenance, and even plumbing can require a complete replacement. One of the best ways to maintain a home and its structural integrity is cleaning things and repairing them at the first signs of wear, but aside from neglecting the same, people can make several mistakes when caring for their home. So, here are eleven common home repair and maintenance mistakes to avoid. Not winterizing Many homeowners forget about winterizing, a crucial step in maintaining their property. Winterizing is taking preventative measures to protect the property against damage that freezing temperatures can cause. Tasks like insulating pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting, clearing gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage, sealing windows and doors to prevent drafts, and servicing heating systems to ensure they function efficiently during the colder months are all part of the winterizing process. Winterizing a home or property helps prevent costly damage and ensures the comfort and safety of occupants during months when the area sees freezing temperatures. Not addressing water damage One of the biggest lapses in maintenance is not addressing water damage immediately. When spaces like bathrooms aren’t kept dry, water damage and mold can affect them and further penetrate the structure, resulting in costly repairs or even complete replacements.

Cleaning the toilet is perhaps among the most dreaded tasks in every home. However, a clean toilet is essential to maintain hygiene and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other diseases. Today, several useful cleaning products and equipment are available to reduce manual effort and facilitate cleaner toilets. In addition, avoiding certain common toilet cleaning mistakes can help make the process more efficient and less time-consuming while ensuring better hygiene. Not knowing the different ways to unclog a toilet Unclogging the toilet can be the first step to the toilet-cleaning process. A clogged toilet can cause considerable inconvenience; moreover, at times, certain techniques may not be effective in unclogging the drain. Thus, it is important to understand the various hacks to unclog a toilet. Pouring vinegar or dish soap into the toilet should typically do the trick; however, at times, these techniques may not be effective. In such cases, one should try other methods, such as using a wet or dry vacuum to unclog the drain after emptying the water from the bowl. Using a mixture of cleaning products Every cleaning product has its distinct functions; however, mixing together certain cleaning products can give rise to lethal, corrosive solutions. For example, combining bleach and vinegar produces chlorine gas, which can lead to breathing issues, coughing, and watery eyes.