How to Break These 5 Bad Cleaning Habits
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I usually talk about good habits to help you, rather than focusing on the negative. This post, however, examines how to break 5 bad cleaning habits. After all, awareness is the first step to making a change.
So, this is not about highlighting the negative. It’s about bringing attention to some bad cleaning habits you may have developed without even realizing it.
Seriously, we can all get a little lazy sometimes, especially when it comes to cleaning. And, especially when we would rather be doing something else!
We might cut corners. Or, we might run out of a specific cleaner, and not restock it with the right one needed for the job. And, the list goes on.
Speaking of the list, while there are definitely more than 5 bad cleaning habits, take a look at these 5 and see if any of them ring familiar:
- Using dirty cleaning tools
- Not completing what you start
- Poor food storage
- Using too much cleaner
- Using the wrong cleaning products
While these shortcuts may not seem like a big deal at the time, they end up creating more work for you later.
Here’s the thing, developing good habits is harder than breaking bad ones.
In James Clear’s article about breaking bad habits, he states that you don’t eliminate a bad habit, you replace it.
So, let’s take a deeper look at how to break these 5 bad cleaning habits and replace them with good ones.
Bad Cleaning Habit #1: Using Dirty Cleaning Tools
How many times have you gone to clean up something only to find you have to deal with dirty cleaning tools? It might have been at your home or perhaps discovered while helping out a friend or family member at their place.
If your cleaning tools aren’t clean, they could be breeding grounds for germs!
Use clean and hygienic tools, to clean your living space.
So, if you’re using a dirty mop, unwashed cleaning cloths, or dirty sponges, you’re not cleaning your home. You’re only moving the dirt around.
If your tools are currently dirty, clean them before using them. This could take a bit of time, as it takes longer to clean dirt and grime if it has not been attended to for a while.
And, thereafter, clean and dry your tools properly before storing them.
It’s good to swap out extra cleaning cloths while the dirty ones are being washed. And, to have additional sponges around, given that they last for about 2 to 3 weeks.
Rinse your mop in hot water after using it. Wring it out afterward and leave it upside down in a well-ventilated area, to dry thoroughly.
Bad Cleaning Habit #2: Not Completing What You Start
Let’s face it, with so many things vying for our attention these days, it’s easy to get distracted.
I understand how we can get busy with other things like:
- The kids
- A movie, TV show, or YouTube video that we really want to watch
- Getting distracted by another cleaning project
And, then we either forget or run out of time to finish one or even several cleaning projects. What you then end up with is what you started with, a mess.
As exciting as the next shiny object may seem, it’s important to buckle down and complete one task before moving to the next one. Break the bad habit before it’s too late, and replace it with the good habit of finishing the task at hand. Trust me, you will end up with a tidy home and not feel embarrassed if unannounced guests drop by.
Bad Cleaning Habit #3: Poor Food Storage
Okay, now this one right here – this bothers me! Probably because I love to cook and eat, and I can’t stand wasting food.
And, when you don’t store food properly it goes bad faster. This is a waste of your hard-earned money and the time spent preparing it.
Also, improper food storage makes your fridge smell and could result in spills, which turn into stains. This means spending more time cleaning your fridge than you need to.
So, now you’re wasting food, cleaning your fridge for a longer duration, and, you’re already busy!
Keep in mind, poor food storage doesn’t just take place in the fridge, but in the cupboards too. If you are not storing dry foods properly little critters may start to invade your home. And, all this can be avoided by simply storing your food properly.
Here are some food storage tips:
- Make use of reusable, airtight containers for leftovers
- Utilize freezer bags
- Use removable food labels to keep track of how long leftovers have been in the fridge and to track the expiry dates of dry goods in the cupboard
Essentially, make sure that everything is closed, sealed, and labeled properly.
Bad Cleaning Habit #4: Using Too Much Cleaner
It’s a common mistake to think that the more cleaning product you use, the cleaner you’re making something. There is a reason why there are instructions on cleaning products. You only need to use the recommended amount. Beyond that, you’re just wasting it.
A couple of things can happen when you use too much of a cleaner. You can end up getting a build-up on the surface you are trying to clean. When this happens, it’s not really clean, it can end up being sticky or slippery. Either way, you don’t want this happening.
Using too much of a particular cleaning product can also be harmful to the surfaces you are using them on. This is one of the biggest reasons the companies have recommended amounts to use on the product labels. Testing is typically done on the products, so trust them on the amounts to be used.
Bad Cleaning Habit #5: Using the Wrong Cleaning Products
A lot of people think that it doesn’t matter what type of cleaning product you use, just as long as you use one. Wrong. You need to know what type of surface you are dealing with and to make sure the product is made for that type of surface.
Most cleaners are made for a specific use, like hardwood, tile, glass, etc. So, make sure you are using the right product for the job.
It only takes a few seconds to read the label. To save yourself the hassle of dealing with potential damage, do your reading.
It will certainly take a lot more time and money to repair or replace any damaged areas. Therefore, get into the good habit of reading the label, instead of just shrugging your shoulders and thinking, “I’m sure this will work.”
Turn That Bad Habit Around
If you are a person that has been practicing any of these bad habits, it’s not too late for you.
You can break the 5 bad cleaning habits outlined in this post, by replacing them with these 5 good ones:
- Use cleaning tools that are clean
- Complete what you start
- Store the food in your fridge and cupboards properly (airtight containers, freezer bags, label leftovers)
- Use the right amount of cleaning product
- Use the right cleaning product for the job at hand