You may know the basics of a good deep cleaning routine by now: sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, dusting, and wiping. However, there are so many cleaning dos and don’ts you read about on social media and hear from your mom that it’s hard to figure out the ideal way to make your property shine. The risk here is that not only are you spending money on things that could prove useless, but those things might actually be bad for your property’s surfaces and fixtures.
Many cleaning misconceptions persist today because they were once popular tips and tricks that most people sworn by, which were passed down through the ages. So, to help you separate the myths from the really helpful tips, we have compiled this list of the top deep cleaning misconceptions that you’ve probably fallen for.
Getting your carpet professionally cleaned will ruin it
If there’s one reason that you haven’t yet called upon a professional cleaning company, it’s probably because you’re scared that they will do more damage than good. Well, rest assured – it’s a myth that the powerful cleaners used by professional companies will wear you carpets out. In fact, these professional tools are designed to remove the effects of wear and use and extend the life of the carpet.
A feather duster is enough to do the job
Sure, modern feather dusters are softer and more colourful – a step-up from the fake ostrich feather dusters from yore – but that does not mean they’re more effective. Truth is, feather dusters don’t really remove dust from surfaces but simply stir up these particles, which land on other surfaces. The best way to dust is to ditch the synthetic feathers and use a soft damp cloth or microfibre duster.
Newspapers will leave windows spotless
Newspaper is not the most effective way to keep windows and mirrors streak-free as it leaves behind bits of paper due to the cheap quality paper of modern newspapers. What’s more, damp newspaper can rip apart easily and can leave finger marks on the glass or ink smudges on the frames. Window cleaning spray and microfibre cloth make a better job of it.
It doesn’t need cleaning if it’s not dirty
It’s easy to let your cleaning duties slide for another week and another or until signs of dirt finally begin to show. However, just because something doesn’t appear dirty doesn’t mean it’s clean or free of bacteria. There are things that need to be cleaned on a weekly basis, even though they look spotless including kitchen sinks, countertops, the bathroom and toilet, and carpets and floors.
Cleaning, sanitising, and disinfecting are the same thing
The terms cleaning, sanitising, and disinfecting are often used as if they are the same thing. They’re not and understanding the differences can help make things a lot easier knowing when you need to clean, disinfect, and sanitise. Cleaning usually involves removing dirt and grim from surfaces using detergent and water. Sanitising is aimed at reducing, not killing, germs on a surface, whilst disinfecting eliminates bacteria. Bleach, for example, is a great disinfectant but not really effective at removing dirt and residue from surfaces. Cleaning with soap and warm water mostly removes dirt and not germs, therefore, if you want germ-free areas, you’ll need to use a disinfectant as well.
There are tons of cleaning tips out there without any validation behind them. If you’re unsure about the right way to clean something and don’t want to risk damage to your property, it will benefit you to call upon a cleaning company. Professionals that provide deep cleaning services know all about the ins and outs of office and residential cleaning, and they’ll keep your property looking and smelling great.