6 Outdated Cleaning Habits That Don’t Work Anymore, According to Cleaning Pros

Cleaning practices change over time as new products are developed and new takeaways become apparent. That said, it’s easy to get stuck in the past due to a lack of information surrounding the most effective approaches of today.

Here, three professional cleaners share insights on six practices that they would suggest you avoid, all the while sharing lots of great alternative suggestions that will help you achieve your cleanest home yet.

Wiping Away Disinfectant ASAP

You know how in cleaning commercials, actors are super quick to spray and wipe down disinfectant? Don’t take this approach to heart, cautions Sara Aparacio, Homeaglow’s resident cleaning expert, who explains that disinfectants need a moment to break down on a given surface.

“If you’re simply spraying and then wiping right after, the spray doesn’t have time to cleanse the area thoroughly, so you end up leaving grime behind,” she says.

Consider this your sign to slow down for a moment while cleaning your place—taking your time truly will yield the most beneficial effects.

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Following Standard Detergent Dosages

If you still fill your detergent cap all the way to the top and pour it into your washing machine, you’re not alone, but this practice has become a bit antiquated and is no longer necessary, Aparacio notes.

These days, she explains, detergents are more concentrated and powerful, meaning that you don’t need to use as much liquid to get the job done effectively.

Aparacio recommends checking the directions on the back of your detergent bottle and adds that generally, you’ll be just fine using one tablespoon of detergent per eight-pound load of laundry in order to clean your clothes sufficiently.

Using Fabric Softener on Towels

Fabric softener and towels don’t actually go hand in hand, despite what you might think. Though it might seem difficult to believe, fabric softener won’t actually help your towel become more plush, Aparacio explains, noting that this is due to the fact that its waxy layers will build up wash after wash.

“While you might add a pleasant fragrance, you end up with a less drying towel,” she says.

Instead, stick with detergent only when it comes time to wash your towels, Aparacio offers, and if you really would like, you can add some dryer balls to the mix to help soften everything up and remove wrinkles.

Cleaning With Paper Towels

It’s time to ditch paper towels for cleaning purposes once and for all, states Nicole Kent, the owner of Hubbard’s Maid Service. Not only can purchasing them add up cost-wise, but paper towels aren’t good for the environment, she says. Plus, Kent explains, they’re simply not that effective when it comes to cleaning, for a handful of reasons.

“They tend to smear anything that is not a liquid, and they do not do a very good job at removing bacteria,” she says.

Not to mention, she adds, the lint that the towels leave behind from their paper can cause even more of a mess.

What to use instead? Microfiber cloths, a pro-cleaner favorite. They’re reusable and remove 99.9% of bacteria all on their own, Kent shares, noting that they’re a great choice for everything from wiping up spills to cleaning glass surfaces.

Using Feather Dusters

Feather dusters are a stereotypical cleaning item that you do not actually need to add to your toolkit, according to Alicia Sokolowski, the president of ApsenClean, who does not consider them to be effective.

“Feather dusters don’t capture dust; they simply flick particles into the air,” she says. Using one can simply lead to more of a mess.

Again, microfiber cloths make for the best alternative material to use here; dampen one and get to work wiping away dust, all the while saying goodbye to smudges and streaks, the cleaning pro shares.

Over-Bleaching Grout

It’s time to stop using chlorine bleach to clean your grout, Sokolowski states, noting that this actually weakens grout and causes it to deteriorate over time.

Grab an oxygen bleach or paste made with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to use for this task instead, she recommends. You can also steam clean your grout before doing this for an even better result.