How To Clean A Tiffany Bracelet At Home

Reusing Rags

Have multiple rags handy when you're cleaning your home and avoid reusing the same cloth to wipe down different surfaces. Using a fresh rag will help to contain bacteria and dirt and avoid the spread of germs.

Read More: Toss It: 25 Household Items That Love to Harbor Bacteria

Choosing a Sunny Day for Washing the Windows

The warmth of the sunshine quickly evaporates window cleansers, and when the cleanser dries on the window, it can result in streaks. Save window duty for a dreary, overcast day.

Get the How-To: How to Clean Windows

Overworking the Dishwasher

Homeowners frequently ask too much of their dishwashers, which directly affects its ability to do a five-star job. Avoid overloading, alternate the direction of your silverware to help with water flow, put plastics on the top rack to avoid damage, and keep in mind that this appliance can dull sharp knives and damage wooden cutting boards and utensils. (Wash those items by hand instead.)

Read More: 10 Bad Habits Around the House That Cost You Money

Using Harsh Cleaners

Take the time to learn the best solution for cleaning every surface in your home, so that your "all-purpose" routine doesn't accidentally cause damage. Some important tips: Don't use vinegar-based cleansers to clean a granite countertop, use gentle cleaners on wood floors to avoid weakening the polish and don't overuse disinfectants, like bleach.

Read More: 8 Cleaning Mistakes That Are Damaging Delicate Surfaces in Your Home

Forgetting to Empty the Vacuum

Remember to clean out the bag or canister of your vacuum after every use to fully rid your home of the dust — and perhaps bugs — you picked up during your chore session.

Read More: HGTV Editors Swear By These Vacuum Cleaners

Sweeping and Dusting Too Infrequently

Dirt left on the floors is the leading cause of scratches on the finish, so if you sweep more often, there'll be less opportunity for those granules to dig in. Similarly with dusting, if you fail to collect dust on polished wood shelves, the dust can begin to interact with the finish and discolor it over time.

Read More: 10 Things People With Clean Houses Always Do

Ignoring the Drains and Disposal

Remember to clean kitchen and bathroom sink drains regularly, and run and refresh the kitchen disposal, too. Maintaining both will prevent unwanted smells.

Get the How-To: DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaners

Using Disinfecting Wipes on Dirty Surfaces

There's a notable difference between cleaning and disinfecting, and a surface needs to be clean of dirt for any sanitization efforts to be effective. Use a cloth to wipe a dirty surface with soap and water first, and then follow up with a disinfecting cloth to sanitize and disinfect.

Read More: Game-Changing Life Hacks You Didn't Know You Needed

Using Steam Mops on the Wrong Surfaces

Steam mops are worth their weight in gold on ceramic tile and porcelain floors, but they're much too intense to use on laminates or engineered hardwoods. The intensity of the steam can affect the glues used in flooring assembly, causing irreparable damage.

Read More: Is Your Steam Mop Damaging Your Floor?

Failing to Ventilate Cleanser Fumes

If you're using harsh chemicals during your cleaning routine, be sure to open a window to improve airflow — it's for your own health. Also, be sure to wear gloves to prevent chemical burns if you're cleaning with bleach.

Read More: Say No to Fumes in Your House

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Forgetting to Clean Your Appliances

Detergent itself isn't going to keep the inside of your washing machine or your dishwasher clean, but those are just two of the appliances frequently overlooked when it comes to routine housekeeping. Make it a goal to clean these appliances at least twice a year, so that they do their respective jobs well.

Get the How-To: How to Clean a Washing Machine

Neglecting Bath Toys

Get the How-To: An Easy, Natural Way To Clean Your Kids' Bath Toys

Cleaning From the Ground to the Ceiling

If your routine has you first cleaning the floors, consider how much dust you drop as you clean upwards, tackling walls, windowsills, curtains, fans and fixtures. Start at the top of the room and work your way down, leaving the floors and carpets for last.

Read More: 10 Things People With Clean Houses Always Do

Not Cleaning the Toilet Brush

T oilet brushes are not self-cleaning, and even holders with ventilation holes can breed germs if the brush is not well-maintained. After using the brush to clean your toilet, rinse it and thoroughly allow it to air dry before returning it to its holder. Once a month, submerge the brush into a cup of white vinegar to reduce the presence of lingering bacteria, and again, allow it to dry completely before returning it to storage.

Read More: Home Hacks: Stuff You Can Clean in One Hour or Less

Cleaning Pet Bowls Irregularly

Cleaning your pet's food and water bowls should be an everyday chore. Saliva on the bowl and in the water serves as a breeding ground for bacteria, and crumbs left in the food bowl are bait for ants and other bugs. Keep your pet healthy and your home clean by washing both bowls daily with soap and water. If you use a mat beneath the bowls, you should wash that daily, too.

Read More: 13 Must-Know Cleaning Tips for Pet Parents

Rubbing Carpet Stains

When it comes to lifting stains from a carpet or area rug, always blot the stain with an absorbent cloth or paper towel. Press firmly and do not rub at the stain, as rubbing can further spread and embed the mess.

Read More: DIY Carpet Cleaning Without a Machine

Ignoring the Walls

Walls get dusty and dirty but are often overlooked. Check your home's painted walls (especially if you have kids) and commit to a cleaning plan to keep the surfaces stain-free and spotless. Knowing what paint is on your wall surface is the first step, but many spots clean easily using soapy water. Prevent streaks and uneven wear by always wiping down the entire wall ceiling-to-floor, rather than spot cleaning.

Get the How-To: Everything You Need to Know About Cleaning Walls and Wallpaper

Using Harsh Countertop Cleaners on Granite and Marble

Vinegar-based cleaners are too harsh for granite and other natural stones; they can actually cause irreparable damage. Instead, opt for non-acidic cleaners to protect and seal granite and marble surfaces.

Get the How-To: How to Clean Countertops

Using Expired Cleaning Products

Though it's not always marked, many household cleaners have a "best by" date. Antibacterial ingredients may only have a shelf life of one year, as do detergents, which may become less effective at cleaning or lose their scent. Always store cleaners in a cool, dark space to help them last longer.

Forgetting to Wash Your Pillows

Bed pillows collect more germs than many areas of your home, and laundry day shouldn't only involve the linens. Make it a habit to wash your pillows at least twice a year, and combat viruses in between washes by running pillows through the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes to disinfect. Always pay attention to manufacturer cleaning labels, as different fills require different cleaning techniques. If your pillow feels flat after being cleaned, run it in the dryer with wool dryer balls to help fluff it up.

Using Abrasive Cleaning Pads on Stainless Steel

Tough scrubbies wreak havoc on stainless steel, so opt for gentle cloths to clean your surfaces, whether you're combatting fingerprints on the dishwasher, stuck-on food on your stainless steel pans or grime around the drain of your kitchen sink. A microfiber cloth is the best tool for your stainless cleaning routine.

Get the How-To: Cleaning Stainless-Steel Appliances: 3 At-Home Methods + 3 Store-Bought Picks We Stand By

Using Bleach as an Everyday Cleaner

Bleach is much too harsh for most applications and should be used sparingly when disinfecting. It's best reserved for when you need to clean against bacteria and viruses, and always in diluted concentrations. You should also never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, rubbing alcohol or other cleaners, as this can produce dangerous, toxic fumes. Opt for gentle cleansers, such as plain soap and water, when cleaning everyday surfaces like tabletops and counters.

Read More: Top Mistakes You Make When Cleaning With Bleach

Putting Wooden Cutting Boards in the Dishwasher

Prolonged exposure to heat and moisture can warp and crack wooden cutting boards, and it's not good for wooden or wooden-handled utensils, either. Instead, opt for soap and water and a thorough rinse in the sink, and white vinegar if you need extra cleaning power. Dry the wood by hand and allow it to thoroughly air dry. Maintain the wood by seasoning it with a food-grade mineral oil.

Get the How-To: How to Clean and Disinfect a Wood Cutting Board

Forgetting to Wash Your Shower Curtain

Clean your shower curtain monthly to reduce dust and germs in your bathroom. If you have a fabric shower curtain, disconnect and launder it at the same time you're running a load of towels or your bath mat. Clean the plastic liner too, by washing it in a diluted vinegar bath right in the bathtub. Use a cloth to wipe down both sides, and then allow it to air dry before the fabric curtain is reinstalled.

Get the How-To: How to Clean Your Shower Curtain (and Keep it Clean)

Using Too Much Detergent

Both in the washing machine and in the dishwasher, adding too much detergent can actually cause the appliance to clean ineffectively. When cleansers aren't able to properly dissolve and rinse, residues remain, and dirt that you intended to clean away might stick around, too.

Read More: 10 Ways to Better Clean Your Clothes and Make Fabrics Last Longer