7 Over-Cleaning Habits That Ruin Your Stuff

young woman looking angry about her messy house

7 Over-Cleaning Habits That Ruin Your Stuff

By : angila
The saying doing too much of anything good can be bad becomes true when people obsess over cleaning and develop harmful habits. Keeping your home organised and maintaining its hygiene is important for good indoor air quality and the health of household members. But, it causes damage when you fear contamination and repetitively wipe, scrub or wash surfaces and things. Wear and tear due to excessive cleaning is an issue, especially when you are a tenant and may lose your bond because of it. Since professional end of lease cleaners in Melbourne can deeply sanitise any rental property adequately, you can relax during the end of the tenancy period. Your need for over-cleaning can stem from having obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) that affects about 2-3% of Australians or you do it unknowingly. To know you have the tendency, check if you have the following habits that ruin your stuff.

1. Using Cleaning Products More Than Necessary

Most people make the mistake of applying or using detergent and soap more than the required amount, thinking it will clean a surface or item better. This habit is counterproductive as cleaning products become hard to wash or wipe and form a milky and sticky layer as a result. Hence, the surface/object attracts dust, dirt, and germs quickly, requiring cleaning more often than usual. Before using cleaners, always read the label to know the needed dwell time and how much product to use.

2. Removing Every Stain or Spots with Hard Scouring Pads

Scouring pads are excellent tools for removing stubborn spots and stains from a variety of surfaces, but they can cause irreparable damage if you are using them without caution. These sponges can scratch household surfaces, making them look dull and decrease their shelf life. Therefore, start using these tools wisely if you are over-cleaning with scouring pads and unknowingly doing more harm than good. Tip: Before using any tool, always test it on an inconspicuous area to determine whether it is harsh for the surface or object. Professional end of lease cleaners in Melbourne use this trick to ensure they sanitise homes without wear and tear.

3. Using Harsh Chemicals Regularly

Commercial products like oven cleaners, drain sanitisers, bleach, and ammonia, among others, contain harsh chemicals that can damage surfaces and items in your home when used frequently. They are potent cleaners that can sanitise effectively and efficiently, but their repeated exposure can erode materials and weaken the structural integrity of fixtures. Moreover, these chemicals severely impact the environment and health of humans & animals, which is why you should use them only when necessary.

4. Vacuuming or Brushing Carpets Too Often

Removing dust and debris from carpets regularly is necessary to maintain their appearance and increase their longevity. However, if you brush or vacuum them multiple times a day, then their structural integrity is affected as, carpet in your home only need thorough cleaning twice a week. You can sanitise high traffic areas daily but cleaning more than that is neither practical nor necessary. Thus, if your carpets are becoming rough or appear dull, you may be over-cleaning them. Tip: Hire professionals who perform house and end of lease cleaning in Melbourne to properly and safely sanitise your carpets if you lack the equipment or expertise to clean them.

5. Constantly Sweeping or Wiping Surfaces

Instead of getting fluttered by sweeping debris and wiping household surfaces continually, focus on cleaning your house as per a routine. Start by decluttering and sanitising after waking up and then before going to bed. Perform necessary activities like sweeping, mopping, dusting, etc., once a day and spot clean areas whenever spills happen. Household surfaces and fixtures can get scratches or swirls if they are wiped too often, and harsh cleaners can erode their upper layers, making them look dull or unpleasant.

6. Using a Disinfectant as a Cleaner Repeatedly

People trying to remove contaminants and germs from household areas often make this mistake. It is crucial you understand that disinfectants are formulated to kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Using them as cleaners cannot give you the desired results, and you end up with dirtier surfaces than before. Thus, instead of repeatedly cleaning fixtures and objects in your home with a disinfecting solution, clean them with a microfiber cloth/cotton rag (dry or wet with a cleaner). Like the professional end of lease cleaners in Melbourne, clean then disinfect to eliminate physical contaminants and kill illness-causing germs.

7. Using Boiling or Hot Water Every Time You Wash/Rinse

Boiling or hot water is excellent for removing mould, stubborn stains, grime, and spots from almost any household surface or item. However, using it excessively can cause heat damage to your countertops, sink, slabs, floors, etc. For regular cleaning and sanitation, you can use water at room temperature, and it will give the wanted outcomes. Use boiling or hot water only when a surface or fixture is heavily soiled/oily and you know the heat will not ruin it.

Endnote

Excessively sanitising any area or object in your home is never good and mostly results in irreversible wear and tear. Therefore, if you have the over-cleaning habits mentioned above and have ruined stuff, then it is time to mend your ways. Also, don’t hesitate to take the assistance of professionals who give house and end of lease cleaning services in Melbourne to get your home appropriately sanitised without damage.