Common Cleaning Mistakes: The dirty surfaces that are not cleaned and maintained attract accumulation of dirty substances, germs and grime. Sticky fingerprints, patty patches and stubborn, greasy fingerprints are certainly a sign of a dirty surface.
Professional cleaning experts at Montrose Marble and Granite have listed a few of the most common mistakes made by homeowners that result in premature wear of natural stone surfaces, and other materials used in the house.
Cleaning with Harsh Cleaning Chemicals.
Common Cleaning Mistakes: Severer cleaning chemicals should not be applied on the more delicate surfaces because this can damage the surface or leave a residue of cleaning chemicals that will attract more dirt.
PH balanced cleaners are safe to surfaces like stone or wood which are natural surfaces. Finishes can be stripped away, the shine can be lost and irreparable damage can be caused by the use of the wrong cleaners.
The warning signs or indicators are usually put on the label of sharp cleaning products, and may be: flammable (E), toxic to aquatic life (F+, F), harmful to health and skin (T+), corrosive (C), irritant (Xi), or carcinogenic (Xn).
And when you can afford to clean the house with natural or homemade cleaners or hire a professional cleaning service in Galway to maintain your home clean and you will have a shining clean house without causing harm to your home and health.
The other error that individuals can make is excessively adding cleaner. When the surface is clean, you feel like wiping down and proceed to another part of the house. But this may cause streaks on glass and windows or soaps scum on kitchen and bathrooms.
The best way of eliminating streaks and achieving smooth surfaces is the application of less of the product and by letting the product remain on the surface to take a few minutes as recommended on the label. Then, use a damp cloth to wipe off the excess.
Scrubbing Too Hard
Cleaning may be considered as a rather easy task, but on different surfaces, we should use some techniques and products in order to clean it.
Regrettably, the majority of homeowners do not comprehend how to do this right and leave the mirrors with smudges or kitchen counters with residues or permanent damages on such surfaces as hardwood floors.
Cleaning professionals have to cope with these errors every day, yet they are aware of how to prevent these errors with time-tested methods and training.
Over scrubbing with abrasive cleaning substances such as steel wool, nylon brushes is the most common mistake. Otherwise, weaker abrasives such as baking soda need to be utilized, which will provide effective cleaning at a lesser harm.
Scrubbing: remember to refer to the instructions on the label of the product to make the most of it, so that it is both effective and safe. The initial cleaning should be done prior to disinfection so apply the cleaner and wait (also referred to as dwell time) before wiping away.
Wasting Water
It is so easy to do a quick clean up. But, actually, they only have the power to put surfaces in a more dilapidated state, or create more wear.
Fortunately, the majority of these typical cleaning errors can be prevented. It is important to use the appropriate cleaners, processes and equipment to ensure that the home feels fresh and last longer.
Excessive spraying of product on surfaces is one of the largest cleaning errors. Having more is not better, it is more likely to leave traces and cover surfaces with dirt than to shine. And it is also wasteful, as the majority of cleaners and disinfectants require some time to decompose and kill bacteria.
The other issue is that of scrubbing too aggressively which may spoil surfaces and form water marks. And using the wrong cleaner on the wrong surface (such as vinegar on the natural stone or scrubbers on wood floors), can even cause marks and scratches, which are difficult to remove.
Resting on these motives, there is need to observe the content of the instructions of the product and wash it with soft cloth that can trap dust and dirt rather than blow it away. Microfibre cloth should be used or cloth with a colour coded per area to avoid cross contamination. It should also be exercised to clean and disinfect tools, although, as they may still transmit rest of the germs on a surface to another.
Combining Cleaning Products.
The second myth is that a combination of two cleaning products will be more powerful or do their job quicker. The point is that even in reality it can even wear surfaces down, and subject people to dangerous gases.
This is especially true where the two products differ in terms of their chemical characteristics e.g. bleach and vinegar. When these are combined they yield chlorine gas which could cause coughing, difficulty in breathing and watery eyes.
Another cleaning mistake, which may lead to quick wear of the surfaces, is the over-dilution of cleaners. This occurs when you put more water than the one that is suggested on the label. This dilutes the product resulting in its wastage and traces of the product are left behind. The answer is to take the labels and take only what is necessary.
It should also avoid disinfectants and sanitisers but should be left to work. It involves them taking no less than 3-10 minutes to decompose them and kill them.
Lastly, remember to clean and disinfect your cleaning equipment. Bacteria are propagated in dirty cloths, sponges and mops. Always wash yours, and replace them with new ones- microfibre is the most effective. And be sure also to clean the floors frequently, and to change your dirty mops and vacuum filters.
Removing Cleaning Solutions off Surfaces when it takes too long.
It is time consuming and energy-consuming to keep a clean house. It also needs the appropriate tools and supplies in order to make sure that surfaces are adequately cleaned and that negative bacteria are eliminated. Sadly, it is so simple to get sucked into cleaning behaviors that ultimately result in introducing more dirt to the house, in an attempt to cut corners or to save time.
It occurs when you put cleaners and disinfectants on the surface for extended periods of time. The majority of cleaners and sanitisers require several minutes to disintegrate, and kill bacteria. To swipe them and not even done is like spraying and running – no use!
To correct this, be sure to read the labels and give time multitask its time. Wiping down surfaces prior to and following use and higher surfaces (such as shelves or cupboards) before floors should also be tackled.
It is also expected that you wash and change sponges regularly, rinse mops and empty and clean vacuum filters regularly so that they do not get clogged. This will assist them in lasting longer, work better and lessen the quantity of dirt they move about the house.
Miscellaneous Cleaning Products to apply to Natural Stone Countertops.
There are numerous cleaning products used by homeowners that are excessively acidic or chemically active to use on natural stone. They are capable of cutting, or wearing out the sealers of stone countertops, exposing them to stains and more severe chemical damages.
The use of the same cleaner repeatedly causes this damage, which is mostly cumulative. Vinegar is especially devastating in a way it does not cut granite (quartz and feldspar are not attacked by acids) but rather solubilizes the stone sealer leaving the stone porous to stains.
This is one of the major reasons why granite counter tops are prone to look dull and stained as compared to other counter tops.
Natural stone counters can also be damaged by the use of scouring pads, powders and other abrasive cleaning products. They are able to scratch and erode the surfaces of the stones decreasing their lifespan and predisposing them to damage. The PH-balanced cleaners will be required to loosen the dirt and stains without damaging the surface to clean this stone daily.
Stone tops are not only beautiful, they are also durable and yet they need some TLC to retain their good appearance. Washing and coating is used to avoid staining, wear and tear caused by wetness and daily usage. With such simple tips your counter top will not be only beautiful but useful even in many years.
Removing Dust off Glass and Mirrors, using Rough Materials
When cleaning your glass and mirrors with a rough or scratchy piece of cloth it will leave streaks. Instead, wipe down with a dry microfiber rag to avoid a streak and a residue. Any dirty or grime that can be hard to cleanse may be used with white vinegar to make a natural cleaner to your glass surfaces.
Vinegar would take off gunk, smudges and streaks. Nor does it have to be rinsed and is therefore safe and ecologically friendly to the rest of your home.
The other mistake is to use the same cleaning product on all surfaces. This can be damaging to surfaces, as different surfaces need some requirements in order to give the ultimate outcomes.
What is perfectly alright on counter tops may be placed on floors or destroy finished wood. Depending on the kind of a surface, professional cleaners have strict guidelines and procedures.
On the right technique, mirrors and glass surfaces are streak-free. Cleanse the surface firstly with a weak detergent or cleaner. Then apply a disinfectant to the surface and allow it to sit on the surface, also referred to as dwell time, and then remove it.
Finally, wipe surface with a dry microfiber towel. And with these simple tips and tricks you can eliminate the typical cleaning mistakes that lead to creation of a worse state of the surfaces than they were initially in.