I like to keep my cleaning routine efficient—I don’t want to spend all day scrubbing when I
could be doing something more enjoyable. Over the years, I’ve learned that some habits actually make cleaning take longer than it needs to.
If you've ever felt like you're putting in the effort but not seeing results as quickly as you'd like, you might be making
one of these common cleaning mistakes. Let’s make sure you’re not working harder than necessary.
1. Cleaning Without a Plan: It’s easy to start cleaning whatever catches your eye, but that often leads to bouncing from room to room without ever really finishing anything.
Instead, I find it works best to focus on one space at a time, top to bottom. I start with high surfaces like shelves and counters, then work my way down to the floors so I don’t have to clean anything twice.
2. Using Too Many Products: There was a time when I had a separate cleaner for every surface—one for stainless steel, one for granite, one for glass, one for wood. It felt like I was running a cleaning supply shop.
Now, I stick to just a few multi-purpose cleaners that work on several surfaces. Less back-and-forth, fewer bottles cluttering my space, and a much quicker cleaning process. Keep your essentials in a cleaning caddy for easy access. 3. Letting Dishes Sit Too Long: I’ve heard people say they let dishes “soak” for hours, but what’s really happening is those dishes are just sitting there, becoming a bigger,
smellier problem.
If something needs soaking, 15 minutes is plenty. But most of the time, a quick rinse right after using a dish means I don’t have to scrub at all later.
4. Scrubbing Too Soon: In the past, I’d spray a cleaner and immediately start scrubbing like my life depended on it. Then I realized—cleaners actually need time to do their job.
Now, I spray, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and wipe it clean with far less effort. It’s a simple trick that saves time and energy.
5. Overloading the Washing Machine: I get it—sometimes it’s tempting to shove just a few more things in to avoid doing an extra load. But overloading the
washer makes clothes come out less clean, which means I either have to rewash them or deal with clothes that don’t smell fresh.
Giving laundry enough room to circulate makes everything cleaner the first time.
By the way, in my opinion, cute dryer balls make doing the laundry way more fun. 6. Ignoring the Vacuum Filter: A vacuum that isn’t working well is frustrating. And most of the time, the issue isn’t the vacuum—it’s the filter. If it’s clogged or the bag is full, it takes twice as long to pick up
dirt.
I make a habit of emptying the canister regularly and cleaning the filter as needed so vacuuming is as quick and efficient as possible.
7. Cleaning Around Clutter Instead of Dealing With It First: If I have to keep picking something up to wipe underneath it, unless the thing I'm picking up is decorative, that’s a sign it doesn’t really belong there.
Before I clean, I do a quick pass to put things away—paper, mail, stray items on the counter. Not only does it make cleaning faster, but it also keeps my home feeling more organized all the time.
Cleaning doesn’t have to take all day. By avoiding these common time-wasters, you can clean smarter, not
harder—and free up more time for things you actually enjoy.
Do any of these mistakes sound familiar? If so, making a few small tweaks can make a big difference.
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