18 Bad Cleaning Habits You Need to Break

Allowing Paper Clutter to Accumulate

Scale down that mountain of paperwork piling up everywhere. Even with online billing and banking, there are still magazines, newspapers, school papers, and projects accumulating.

Take a few steps to reduce the clutter. Designate a place near the entryway for all mail, periodicals, and paper forms. Sort and shred once a week (keep the shredder close by). Immediately file important papers, like tax receipts, and take digital photos or frame special artwork by kids. Get rid of magazines by donating to schools and retirement homes.

Leaving Wet Towels and Shower Curtains Bunched Up

Spend less time in the laundry room and scrubbing mildew from bathroom surfaces by tackling wet, bunched-up shower curtains and towels.

"Be sure to leave a few inches of space to either side of the shower curtain so air can circulate and help it dry, too," cleaning expert Katie Berry notes. This will cut back on mildew and dampness. As far as damp towels on the floor, they'll give your bathroom that mildew smell and attract pests. like ants and silverfish." Hang wet towels to dry to reuse and lighten your laundry loads. (The dryer your towels stay, the better.)

Using Too Much Cleaning Product

Use cleaner in the amounts recommended by the manufacturer because using too much cleaner can backfire.

"Those cleaning videos on TikTok with all the suds are satisfying to watch, but that much soap can leave a film that attracts grime," Berry explains. "When you use too much product, there's also a risk of the residue remaining active and conflicting with other cleaning products to form dangerous fumes."

Cleaning With Dirty Tools

Thoroughly clean tools after every use. Dirty tools yield poor results. For example, your clothes will stink if your washer smells from built-up bacteria in the detergent's residue. Your vacuum won't function well if the bag is full or the filter is clogged with dust. Your floors will stay dirty if you use a soiled mop or sponge.

Using One Disinfectant Wipe to Clean Entire Bathroom

Clean your bathroom using multiple disposable disinfectant wipes, not just one. A single wipe does not have enough disinfectant to clean an entire bathroom and you will spread bacteria from one surface to another.

To be effective, the wipe should contain enough disinfectant moisture so the surface remains wet for at least four minutes.

Leaving Dirty Dishes in the Sink

Train everyone in the household to either put the dishes in the dishwasher or wash them immediately. Leaving dirty dishes in the sink is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and a jackpot for hungry insects. 

Wearing Outside Shoes in the House

Remove shoes when entering the house. It'll save you hours of vacuuming and keep bacteria and germs out of living areas. Provide a bench or chair for easier shoe removal. Keep a shoe tray close for wet or muddy shoes and a bin to collect each family member's footwear.

Storing Cleaning Products Incorrectly

Gather the cleaning supplies for each area of the home and properly store them close to that area. For example, stash cleaning supplies in a basket under the sink in each bathroom and keep all laundry products safely in the laundry room. This way you won't spend time searching for proper cleaners and tools.

"Clear glass bottles might look nice on a shelf, but they're not appropriate for all products," Berry explains. "Some, like hydrogen peroxide or chlorine bleach, lose their effectiveness when exposed to sunlight. Others, including solvents like rubbing alcohol or acetone, are flammable, so they must be kept in tightly sealed containers away from heat and light."

Hoarding Food in the Refrigerator

Toss food promptly if you know your family won't eat leftovers. Improperly stored food promotes mold and bacteria growth (and smells) and makes cleaning out the refrigerator a much bigger task than necessary.

Leaving Beds Unmade

Make your beds every day because even if the rest of the bedroom is neat and clean, a rumpled bed makes it look messy. Making the bed each morning is a habit that will promote keeping the rest of the room (and maybe the entire house) organized. Simplify the task by selecting unfussy bedding. A bed with a simple comforter and pillow shams is easy to make.

Wiping Cleaners Too Soon

Allow a cleaner to work its magic by letting it sit for the appropriate time on the surface. Most cleaners don't work instantly and need a bit of time so that the ingredients can break down and lift the soil. Spend 30 seconds reading the directions to avoid 30 minutes of extra scrubbing or repeating the task.

Using Harsh Cleaners

Always use the gentlest cleaning products needed to produce results. It can do more harm than good if the cleaner strips away finishes or creates hazards for your pets or family. A good example is chlorine bleach. While it is a good disinfectant, it is not a good dirt and grime remover, and the fumes can be toxic. Sometimes simple steaming can be more effective for cleaning and disinfecting certain surfaces.

Dusting After Vacuuming

Dust before you vacuum. A room should be cleaned from the top down so the dust lands on the floor and can be swept or vacuumed away. When using a disposable duster, grab a clean duster or cloth as you go along so you don't push around dirt.

"This was the way to go when vacuums didn't have HEPA filters to keep their exhaust from spewing dust into the air," Berry shares. "It's still a good approach if you use a broom to clean your floors, and for the same reason—you'll stir up dust that settles back onto your furniture. For those using a modern vacuum, though, it's best to dust first to move dirt off of surfaces and onto the floor then vacuum it away."

Not Washing Pillows

Clean bed pillows by hand or machine at least once or twice a year to remove body oils and dead skin cells. Avoiding washing stained and soiled pillows attracts dust mites and more. Use proper cleaning techniques for synthetic and down-filled pillows to make them last.

Mixing Different Cleaners

Mixing cleaners improperly could create dangerous chemical gases or cancel out their cleaning properties. Always approach cleaners with caution. Some combinations should be avoided completely, such as chlorine bleach with just about anything else. You'll also need to be careful when using vinegar with another cleaner—even baking soda and vinegar lose their oomph after a few seconds combined.

Skipping Deep Cleaning

Deep clean your home to avoid health consequences. Without deep cleaning spaces or items (such as small appliances), a host of problems occur from the inevitable accumulation of dust, allergens, bacteria, germs, soap scum, mold and mildew. Air quality improves, as well, when you deep clean upholstery, carpeting, and window coverings. In addition, deep cleaning the crud out of appliances extends lifespan and functionality.

Not Completing Tasks

Focus on a cleaning task, even if it's just 15 minutes, so you don't get sidetracked and leave the job half-done. Interruptions are normal but try hard to avoid stopping for breaks until you've completed the task.

Waiting Until the Cleaning Job Is Overwhelming

Do a bit of routine cleaning each day. Putting off cleaning and waiting until the task has become overwhelming is one of the hardest bad habits to break. Load and empty the dishwasher, complete a load of laundry, and vacuum one or two rooms a day. This way, cleaning the entire house will not be so overwhelming.