You got to clean right, or you’re just wasting your effort and time. Here are some common cleaning mistakes you should stop doing now.

There is a right way to clean your home, and these should definitely be avoided, as advised by cleaning company Helpling.

Clean Your Washing Machine

The tropical Singapore weather makes it easy for mould and mildew to grow in humid and damp areas, such as in your washing machine. Run an empty cycle at the highest level and hottest setting, and add two to four cups of white cleaning vinegar (with equal parts of baking soda) to it.

After the cycle, wipe down the drum with a damp microfibre cloth and leave it to dry. Clean the detergent dispensers with a toothbrush, too.

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Female hand with yellow cloth cleaning the window. House cleaning concept. Image from 123RF

Don’t Leave Surfaces Damp

The moisture, which might take a while to dry up, will simply attract even more dust. Finish off by wiping the surfaces dry, or try anti-static wipes.

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Don’t Overpack Wardrobe

A musty smell develops easily when the closet is packed to the brim. Hang an air fresher into a corner of your wardrobe that enjoys the best ventilation, or mix a packet of bi-carbonate (baking) soda with a packed of loose tea leaves and place them in your wardrobe.

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Dry All Cleaning Tools

With over 10 millions germs, the sponge is generally seen as the dirtiest cleaning tool. However the mop is the real winner, moving over one billion bacteria per 10 sq ft from room to room instead of cleaning them. After every use, wash the removable cloth at 60°C.

A fixed fringe wiper needs to be exchanged every two months.

Avoid leaving things moist, be it the toilet brush, your mop or sponge. Leave them out to dry in an area with good ventilation and sunlight before storing them.

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Don’t Clean Windows On Sunny Days

The heat, which is especially strong in the afternoon, can cause your cleaner to dry before you finish, leaving a streaky mess. Clean your windows when the weather is gentler, or at least when the sun isn’t shining straight at your window.

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Don’t Use Too Much Detergent

It’s a common misconception that the more you use, the cleaner it gets. But less is more with solutions, because if there is too much foam, it prevents dirt from being removed effectively.

It is a common misconception that the foamier it gets, the more effective the clean. However, too much foam inhibits the fibres’ movements, and dirt cannot be removed from surfaces efficiently. Whether washing or wiping, let’s keep the foam to the minimum.

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Change Vacuum Cleaner Bag Frequently

Is your vacuum cleaner bag always overlooked and not changed until it’s about to explode? Well, sand and dust can reduce the suction power, and food leftovers can decompose in the warm environment of the bag.

The evolving mold can then lead to a bitter smell in the vacuum cleaner. Change the bag when it’s two-thirds full, approximately every six to eight weeks!

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Wear Rubber Gloves with Powder

Sweat or water that enters the gloves while cleaning can actually attract and multiply germs due its moist environment. To avoid this, sprinkle some powder or flour into the gloves before using it, as it helps absorb moisture.

After the cleaning, rinse, turn them inside out and leave to air-dry.

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