A professional cleaner has revealed the top ten mistakes almost everyone makes when cleaning their home.
Melbourne-based Kacie Stephens runs her own cleaning company, The Big Clean Co.
The mother of four advised against practices such as bleach on grout, baking soda on carpets and forgetting to clean your vacuum cleaner.
The cleaner also warned people not to use a feather duster or clean their windows if they are in direct sunlight.
Kacie Stephens [pictured]a professional cleaner from Melbourne, has revealed the top ten mistakes almost everyone makes when cleaning their home
1. Bleach on grout
Bleach is caustic and breaks down the porous grout that is supposed to protect itself from moisture.
Once the seal is broken and the moisture is inside, you will find yourself fighting mold constantly until all of your grout is permanently discolored and begins to crumble.
“Sealed grout just needs a detergent and light brushing to clean,” Kacie said.
2. Bicarbonate of soda on carpets
Using bi-carb soda on carpets causes two problems.
First, the particles are extremely fine and impossible to vacuum up completely, so most of them remain in the carpet regardless of the quality of the vacuum.
In addition, if the carpet is made of natural fibers and not synthetic material, baking soda can cause browning over time.
“It also absorbs water from the air, which means your carpet can get damp and start to smell – especially if you use it often as a way to ‘deodorize’ it backfires and eventually calls in a professional to fix it.” It.’
3. Rubbing carpet stains
Rubbing carpet stains pushes the stain further in and wears away the material.
The heat you create with the friction can also chemically bond the stain to the surface and make it impossible to get out.
Instead, it is recommended to gently dab stains.
4. Blue window cleaner on windows
“Professional cleaners use the soapy water in a bucket and squeegee method,” Kacie revealed.
Blue glass cleaner leaves streaks and residue and therefore requires more effort to use.
5. Do not give products ‘dwell time’
“Waiting time” or “contact time” is the amount of time it takes for a cleaning product, such as a disinfectant, to remain visibly wet on a surface to kill a pathogen.
Spraying a surface with spray and wiping it off immediately afterwards hinders the effectiveness of the product.
6. Forgetting to clean your vacuum cleaner
A clean and well-maintained vacuum cleaner will last longer and will perform better when it comes to picking up more dirt around your home.
Make sure you regularly clean the inside, replace the filters and clear blockages.
7. Wash windows in direct sunlight
On a hot, sunny day, the liquid aspect of your cleaning spray can evaporate much faster than you wipe it off.
The residue it leaves behind creates streaks that can keep the glass looking unclean.
Kacie advised against practices such as using bleach on group, baking soda on carpets and forgetting to clean your vacuum cleaner
8. Spray and wipe your shower
You should rinse your shower with water after using a cleaning solution.
A former hotel worker revealed that simply wiping the grime away doesn’t make the room clean — and many people use dirty cloths in the first place.
Kacie put it succinctly: “Showers need a shower too.”
9. Dust with a feather duster
Feather dusters usually just sweep dust around without actually picking it up.
Kacie suggested using a microfiber cloth instead for better and longer-lasting results.
10. Use vinegar as an all-purpose cleaner or floor cleaner
One of Kacie’s biggest complaints is using vinegar as an all-purpose cleaner.
“This is one of the most common mistakes I see,” she said. “I’m just not a fan of it at all. There are too many surfaces it can damage.”
The professional cleaner revealed that vinegar can damage stone, marble, polished concrete floors, wood and stainless steel.
“It also just stinks,” she added. “I know it’s good for buildup on shower screens, but I’m usually just happy with a scouring pad or magic eraser.”
The professional cleaner also revealed that vinegar can damage stone, marble, polished concrete floors, wood and stainless steel – and should not be used as a general purpose cleaner
Many thanked Kacie for her pro tips.
“I’ve done most of these things without knowing it! Thanks for telling me.’
These are great tips – especially about vinegar! I can’t stand the smell and hate it when people clean with it.’