The biggest time wasting cleaning mistakes

We all have much better and more enjoyable things to do than scrubbing counters or washing dirty pots and pans. But a few key cleaning mistakes can make your chore list take longer than it needs to , leaving you with less time to do the things you really enjoy.

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Luckily, by keeping a few magic cleaning rules in mind, you can make sure every second counts when washing dishes. Most of these common cleaning mistakes are just plain laziness. They help you clean smarter, not harder.

Cleaning things out of order

Yes, there's a very specific order to cleaning your home, to avoid having to re-sand something you've just polished. In most rooms, a top-to-bottom approach is best—letting the dust and dirt from dusting and wiping the countertops fall to the floor should be the last thing you do in any room. But sometimes you can miss a few sticky spots and end up having to redo them. Where are the places people are most likely to make mistakes? They wash the stove before they clean the microwave on the stove, or they wash the bathtub before they clean the bathroom tiles.

Product abuse

More isn't necessarily better when it comes to cleaning products. And too much cleaner can dull your finish, take longer to rinse off, or even attract dirt and make your floors and other surfaces dirty faster. Be sure to follow the product instructions when cleaning—and only spray or wipe on the amount of cleaner you need to get the job done.

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Spray and wipe immediately

This is probably one of the most common cleaning mistakes out there—especially since it seems like every cleaning video or commercial these days shows people spraying a product and then wiping it off immediately. But that doesn't give the product time to do its job, so you end up doing more work, especially if you're dealing with a stubborn stain or dirt.

What's your best option? Spray on the cleaner, then let it sit for a few minutes (you can move to another room or do something else while you wait). When you come back, it will be much easier to wipe the dirt away.

Don't let the dust settle

Dust doesn't fall to the floor immediately after you sweep it—it hangs in the air for a while. So it's not necessarily in your best interest to go straight from dusting to mopping, as more dust will fall after you think the task is complete. So you should give the dust at least 20 minutes to settle before you start mopping.

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Do not soak difficult to wash dishes

Burnt or dried-on food can be tough to scrub off—but a soak in hot, soapy water can get it off for you. For burnt-on food on pots, you can fill the pot with water and a little soap, then boil it for a few minutes to help loosen the crust from the pot's surface.

Using the wrong cleaning tools and products

The wrong cleaning products won't be effective at cleaning your home (and can actually be harmful—like using vinegar on a granite countertop). Using less effective dusting tools, like a feather duster, can actually just spread the dust onto more surfaces, making it take longer to clean.

Marvin Fry

Update 08 February 2025