Cleaning, as we all know, is a chore. A time consuming chore that has to be done regularly. You want to be sure you’re doing things as efficiently and effectively as possible. Read on to see if you’re making some of these common cleaning mistakes.

1. Using Harsh Products

Many people commonly think that the harshest cleaning product is the product that will do the best job. They are marketed this way, and logic encourages us to believe that strong chemicals will cut through grease and grime, providing us with faster results.

Harsh products can be damaging to your home as well as your health. You’ll also find that often their processing time is similar to that of natural products, meaning you’re not saving time! Using natural, environmentally friendly products is safer and can produce better results. Jim’s Cleaning has formulated a range of non-toxic, non-caustic products safe for use all around your home. If you’d rather not purchase products, you can easily DIY products using vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda and some essential oils.

2. Using Too Much Product

Using too much cleaning product can actually slow you down and make your cleaning task more difficult. Product build-up can make things look unclean, and can encourage dirt and dust to stick to surfaces.

3. Using Dirty Cleaning Tools

Using dirty cleaning tools will not only slow you down, and give you poor results, but it’s potentially dangerous to your health. Be sure to wash your cleaning cloths/sponges immediately after completing your cleaning task. Ensuring your tools are clean will prevent cross contamination and provide you with faster results!

4. Letting Tasks Pile Up

Letting tasks pile up causes the whole thing to be overwhelming. Try to keep on top of dishes and do them as you go. If you see a spill on your cooktop, wipe it as soon as you can. Getting to stains before they set in is much easier than fighting with a one week old pasta stain. A few minutes here and there is a lot easier than a whole Saturday dedicated to cleaning.

5. Hoarding Unnecessary Stuff

We’re all guilty of holding on to things for the ‘what if’ scenarios that rarely happen. Consumerism is a very real thing and it’s a hard curse to break out of. Try to be mindful of what enters your home, and move things on that do not serve a purpose. Keeping your home tidy and free from clutter, makes cleaning tasks quicker and easier.

6. Not Cleaning Your Vacuum Cleaner

Our vacuum cleaners are arguably the MVP of all the cleaning tools in our homes. They take on a lot of work, and see frequent use. To keep your vacuum running at it’s best, you need to ensure you are emptying it regularly and changing/cleaning the filters.

7. Thinking Bleach Cures All

Bleach is often seen as the holy grail of cleaning products. As cleaners, we don’t entirely agree with this! Bleach is an extremely harsh, toxic product and needs to be used in safe and controlled environments. Whilst bleach is a great disinfectant, it is not great at removing build-up of dirt and grime. Also, contrary to popular belief, it’s an ineffective mould cleaner.