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An article appeared in Real Simple Magazine discussing cleaning faux pas that the author seemed to think were so common many of us have no idea we’re even making the mistake.
After passing it around the office we realized that many of us were guilty of some, if not all, of these faulty methods. So we decided to share the wealth. Here is a breakdown of the common mistakes made around the house when you are scrubbing, vacuuming and disinfecting your world according to Sarah Stebbins from Real Simple.
The Problem: Using Funky Smelling Sponges
This is one I’m sure we are all guilty of. You think that because you’re using soap and you rinse it then it’s fine, but according to the article this mistake could be the difference between a kitchen that looks clean and one that actually is clean.
The Solution: Rinse it. Ring it. Even Microwave it.
Changing your sponge every 2-3 weeks seems like the best practice, but sponges are expensive and so easy to forget on your list of grocery store must haves. One way to get a little more life out of your sponge is by rinsing it in hot water after every use and being sure you ring it out fully. But the most interesting method was microwaving it. The author says if you take a damp sponge and microwave it for a minute it’ll sterilize the sponge. She also recommends running your sponge through the dishwasher.
The Problem: Taking the Same Route with the Vacuum
Apparently if you take the same route with the vacuum every time dust, dirt and whatever else can get stuck in places the vacuum never pulls up. It seems simple, but it’s not something you always think about.
The Solution: Isn’t it Obvious?
Change your tune. Take a new route every other time that you vacuum. Nobody wants to go to all the work of vacuuming if you’re not getting it done the right way.
The Problem: Never Cleaning the Closet
Buildup of dust attracts moths. It may sound a little silly, but this is one mistake I’d be willing to bet many of us make. We spend so little time in the closet, and what time we do spend is rarely messy; it’s easy to forget it needs cleaning too. But moths eating your clothes isn’t what you want so I guess it’s time to clean our closets.
The Solution: Yearly Overhaul
The author suggests removing everything from your closet once a year, giving it a good scrub down, and then restocking it. This would be a good time to go through some old clothes that a charity may have more use for. One simple way to help downsize in situations like that is to give away anything without sentimental value if you haven’t worn it in a year. Whether you take this opportunity to organize is up to you, but it sounds like cleaning out the closet maybe more important than we thought.
The aforementioned article titled “Clean Up Your Act” appeared in the January 2012 issue of Real Simple Magazine.
