8 over-cleaning habits that are ruining your things

This might come as a shock but when it comes to cleaning, sometimes more isn’t better. In fact, using too much product or wiping things down is often a sure-fire technique of wearing down your beloved belongings even faster. As compiled from Good Housekeeping magazine, if you’re guilty of any of the following practices, you’re definitely going to want to break them once you’re done reading this!

You wipe mirrors obsessively

Okay, we’re not saying leave your mirror to fend for itself for months, but one derisory fingerprint might not be enough reason to bust out the spray bottle! “When moisture from humidity or over-spraying cleaner gets behind the mirror, it can damage or remove the backing,” explains Carolyn Forte, director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. It might be hard but refrain from cleaning mirrors more than once a week!



You use extra detergent for stained clothes

Contrary to popular belief, this won’t make your whites any whiter. Use too much and it might not rinse out of clothes, according to research conducted by Forte. Turns out, too many suds also can hamper cleaning. They cushion fabrics and dirt so stains get trapped and not washed away as they should. Bottom line: don’t overuse detergent, even if last night’s chocolate cake icing has inhabited your white tee. A normal amount of detergent should take care of it!

You rush through wiping down counters — a lot

Even though we strongly recommend you clean such surfaces on the daily (think breadcrumbs and other food particles resting on countertops), if you don’t have time to do it right, don’t do it. “If it’s not buffed well and a film is left behind, that will make them look dull,” Forte explains. So it would essentially defeat the point. However, if you do have time, wipe on!

You utilise dishwashing liquid a little too much

Didn’t rinse off all the grease of aloo gosht from your plate? Extra dishwashing liquid or soap won’t fix it. In fact, it will harm your dishes. “Too much can leave residue, film, and spots behind,” explains Forte. However, if there’s grease that’s just too stubborn, soak dishes in hot water before you give them a wash. This simple tweak will surely get the work done and save you time and cash!



You’re heavy-handed with water on wooden surfaces

Even though mopping involves coating a wooden floor or any other wooden surface with a healthy serving of water, too much of it can actually damage wooden materials, warns Forte. “If there are scratches or gouges in the finish, water can seep underneath and damage the wood,” he said. So in the case of wooden surfaces, just make a note in your head that less is more!

You grab the vacuum every time you see a stray hair

We understand…this is unquestionably, the easiest way to take care of annoying hair shedding. But those stringy pieces can end up tangling up the brush roll inside of your vacuum cleaner. Instead, stick to the old-fashioned broom. However, Forte says you can still use this appliance for your furry friends: “It’s fine to do a weekly sweep of your puppy’s favourite spot on the couch.”

You wash clothing after every single wear

For sweaty gym gear and overused shirts, and tights, this is fine. But many items can and should be worn three times before you drop them into the laundry basket, advises Forte. “Over-washing and over-drying fabrics can cause fading and wear.” So if you’ve worn an outfit to a friend’s dholki, don’t send it to the dry cleaners just yet.

You spray polish directly on wooden furniture

It’s the most efficient way to make sure you get rid of all of the dust on your wooden bed, right? You couldn’t be more wrong! Doing this could lead to a filmy build-up on wood that is difficult to remove and ultimately attracts more dust, shares Forte. The solution? “Always spray your cloth and pass it gently across the furniture’s surface,” she recommends. If you prefer to spray your furniture, do so lightly and after you dust, buff again with a clean cloth to remove any polish residue

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th,  2016.

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