15 Things Cleaners Never Do at Home: Tips from Professional Cleaners

“Some customers insist on using harsh chemicals, but I would never do that at home. When you use them constantly, you quickly realize how much they affect your health. Breathing in cleaning products all day is like smoking a pack of cigarettes. In my apartment, I only use vinegar, baking soda and dishwashing liquid, which is more than enough,” says Amanda Day, a professional housekeeper.

Achieving any goal starts with developing a clear plan of action, and cleaning is no exception. “Every cleaner has their own methods that allow them to get the job done quickly. You can’t wander from room to room grabbing one thing or another. I prefer to move up and down and left and right – this ensures that no area is missed,” says cleaning company employee Becky Rapinchuk.

“If you leave the room while cleaning, your hands should not be left empty. Take something that needs to be put in its place in another room – this will allow you to make the most of your time, ”advises Rapinchuk.

“Everything has a place and a place for everything is my number one rule,” says Pam Clyde, president of the cleaning company. – You and all family members need to know where this or that thing should be, otherwise there will always be chaos in the house. Take a little time every day to put everything in its place, for example in the evening before going to bed.”

The more people involved in policing, the less time and effort it takes. “Involve family members in cleaning, both ongoing and large-scale. Divide up responsibilities, set a timer for 15 minutes to clean up the evening for everyone, not just yourself,” advises Kathy Dills, vice president of a cleaning company.

You may have heard that bleach and ammonia are a dangerous combination: When they mix, they create chloramine, a toxic gas that, if inhaled, can cause nausea, vomiting, lung damage and even death.

The problem is that there are other taboos: for example, it is better to keep chlorine away from alcohol, dishwashing liquid for glasses and oven cleaners. It’s hard to keep all the rules in mind, so follow one simple one: don’t mix different cleaning products.

Choosing the wrong cleaning product can be a costly mistake. “For example, window cleaning fluid is not suitable for plasma screens and laptops – the screen can be seriously damaged. Melamine can damage wooden surfaces, painted wood, parquet, granite and marble. Reading the instructions on the label is the best way to avoid spoiling anything,” says Dils.

There are plenty of cleaning tips and tricks on social media, all promising quick and impressive results. “It’s confusing: I’ve seen counters, furniture and upholstery in clients’ homes that were destroyed by another ‘magic’ trick. If you want to use some sort of life hack, be sure to test how it works on a small area of ​​the surface,” advises Clyde.

According to the vice president of the cleaning company, James Conner, this is the main safety rule when working with cleaning products, including natural ones. “Even a solution of vinegar and citric acid can irritate the eyes, lungs and skin. So don’t forget to open windows and doors and wear gloves when cleaning,” he reminds.

“First of all, spraying furniture, mirrors and stoves is just wasteful: you’re wasting them. Don’t overdo it: spray the product on a microfiber cloth, then wipe the surface with it. Second, too much product can lead to plaque buildup or tarnishing. Third, when you have to rinse it, you’ll waste a lot more time if you get the amount wrong,” says Conner.

According to James, bleach is most often used inappropriately. “It’s great for disinfection, but it doesn’t handle grease very well. If you try to use it to clean the stove, the wall next to it, the hood or sticky dust on the cabinets, you’re wasting your time,” he says.

Professionals advise not to put off cleaning until the evening: “It is better to finish it before it gets dark, otherwise you will not see the dirt as clearly as at 10 a.m. Plus, chances are you won’t start tidying up at all: it’s much harder to motivate yourself to do anything after the sun goes down,” says Jen Dougherty, founder of a tidying company. cleaning.

It is best to wipe cooking surfaces, mirrors, windows and glass inserts in cabinets with microfiber cloths. “Believe it or not, paper towels are abrasive: they can easily scratch glass,” says David Flax, vice president of a cleaning company.

As James explains, air freshener sprays can leave a sticky or greasy film on floors and tables. Therefore, it is better to use them in the middle of cleaning, before wiping dust and washing floors.

Professionals try to avoid cross-contamination: grease from the stove has no place in the living room and dog hair from the sofa has no place on the worktop. Collect sets of rags and brushes for each room (for example, by color) and change them when cleaning.

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