Don’t Make These 9 Spring Cleaning Mistakes

Spring has sprung, and if you’re an adult very different from myself, you’ve taken it upon yourself to do a deep clean of your entire home. While it can be tempting to snap into action without any thought or plan, like all things, it’s best to think it through.

There are actually a few crucial mistakes you can make while you’re launching your spring cleaning plan. Want to know what not to do? Here are nine big things to avoid while you’re spring cleaning.

Paper towels may seem great because you’ve already got them on hand, but the truth is that they’re designed to absorb things. A microfiber cloth is the only real way to wipe everything down effectively, because paper towels will shred and leave lint behind.

Vinegar is an incredibly popular cleaning method, especially since you can avoid all the nasty chemicals in mainstream cleaners this way. However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, because certain surfaces can be damaged by vinegar. Avoid cleaning hardwood this way, as well as stone, metal, and grout.

Though it’s easier to see what you’re doing when you clean the windows on a bright, clear day, this may actually ruin things for you. Sunlight will dry the windows faster than usual, and if you don’t take great care with each wipe, you’re gonna create streaks.

Disinfectants do one thing: disinfect. This doesn’t mean that they necessarily clean things, especially if the surface you’re working on has built up a layer of dirt first. Disinfectants are best used on a surface that’s already been cleaned.

Most dusters really just move dirt around rather than clean it up. As it is the greatest tool ever invented for the lazy man, I am a huge fan of everything that Swiffer does. I love those damn things, and I would never in good consciousness tell you not to use a Swiffer to dust.

That said, most will agree that a microfiber duster is more effective. Sorry Swiffer! I still love you!

Abrasive cleaners like Comet, Soft Scrub, and Mr. Clean may seem like good ideas for extra dirty surfaces. The problem is, because abrasive cleaners have tiny little particles in them with which to do all their titular abrading, they can actually scuff up and scratch the surface if not used properly.

Make a plan, people. Go room by room, top to bottom. If you wander aimlessly, you’ll never get anything done. You can take my word on this, as I am the championed king of trying to clean my home and instead just wandering aimlessly.

Is your broom clean? Is your duster clean? Are you scrub brushes clean? Is your vacuum already stuffed with dirt? Cleaning with dirty equipment won’t get you very far.

Wood gets hit pretty hard with moisture damage, so even though you might be itchin’ to take a steam mop to your hardwood floors, you should reconsider. You could get some warped floors out of the deal if you’re not careful. I swear I’m not working for Big Microfiber, but this is another situation where you should use a microfiber mop instead.