The weather has finally graced us with some really warm and sunny days. Naturally, your energy levels might have spiked up and you may even feel more motivated to deep clean your home. After such a long winter and so many challenges we have been facing, perhaps it is a good idea to cleanse your space and invite new energy in. But don’t rush. Deep cleaning is a serious job and it is amazing how many mistakes people make in the process. Here’s a list of the most common ones, so be sure to avoid them.
Disinfecting Before Cleaning
We’ve seen this too many times to let it slide. It is impossible to disinfect a dirty area. Your disinfectant will not get rid of the dust and allergens or stains that might be present on the surface. The only thing you will achieve if you spray a sanitiser before you’ve cleaned that space is locking the dirt in. Make sure you thoroughly clean any surface with the appropriate products before finishing it off with a disinfectant. It is the final touch, not the starting point.
Starting From The Floor
For some of you it may sound logical to start your deep cleaning from the floor and then move around. But that’s a mistake. Always start from the top and work your way down. Remove any cobwebs, dust light fixtures, paintings and other wall decor, clean the skirting boards and after everything else has been done, move to the floor.
Not Moving Furniture
You can’t say you have deep cleaned your home if you haven’t cleaned behind and under the furniture. This is where most of the dirt is accumulated and it is also a prime hiding space for pests, bugs and other nasties. It is a good idea to team up with a family member, a neighbour or a friend so that you can move heavy pieces easily and without injuring yourself.
Missing The Details
80% of deep cleaning is in the detail. General tasks like dusting, wiping and vacuuming or mopping fall under regular domestic cleaning. When you are going for a bigger challenge, you must pay attention to the details – wipe the window sills, clean behind the toilet bowl, get rid of limescale and hard water stains.
Forgetting The Appliances
You’ve cleaned all the rooms and they now look immaculate. Well done, but please don’t forget that your appliances need cleaning too. This includes the washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, microwave, oven, toaster, kettle and so on. The fridge, in particular, will need a lot of your attention. Defrost the freezer too and make sure you give them both a good clean.
Using Antibacterial Products To Kill Viruses
This is such a common mistake when it comes to cleaning in general. People use a lot of antibacterial wipes and sprays on surfaces when they mean to protect their home from viruses. There’s nothing wrong with antibacterial products and they are absolutely important, so keep using them in reasonable volume, but don’t forget virucidal agents too. That’s what kills viruses and protects you from a viral infection contracted by contact with a surface.
Alternatively, use steam cleaning – it gets rid of the toughest stains and it is also one of the most effective disinfectants, destroying over 99% of all known germs.
