Let’s talk about cleaning!

Whether you just bought a home or you plan on selling the one you have so you can move elsewhere, there are some things that not a lot of people know. We often think that cleaning is exactly what your property needs to be nice, fresh, and cozy, but did you know that the way you clean your home could lower its value?

You sure don’t want to hurt your home and then pay a lot of money to fix it, so it’s a smart idea to learn about these things so you know what to avoid in the future. Cleaning is a mandatory process, regardless of how much you like or hate it, but it’s the one that will help you keep everything in order. It makes everything look put-together and organized, and it also gives you mental clarity.

But if you want to clean your home smartly, here are some mistakes you should avoid, so you won’t hurt your home’s value! Let’s begin!

1. Not washing your windows

Windows are an important part of your house because they allow light to enter, and they’re one of the first things someone notices when they look at your home.

I used to be one of those people who would clean their entire home, but the moment I had to clean my windows, I would just stop the entire process since I was thinking that it would rain anyway, and there was no need to waste my time doing that.

So yes, I kept postponing it, and when I finally realized that it was time to stop all those excuses and make my windows pretty and shiny, it took me an entire day to get the job done. There was so much dirt and grit there that it was impossible to make them pretty in just a couple of minutes.

So don’t make the same mistake I did, because it’s going to hurt your wallet in the long run. If you don’t clean your windows regularly, I’m sorry to tell you this, but they’re more likely to become permanently etched.

It all comes down to a simple explanation: the glass of your windows expands and contracts as temperatures change, which means that over time it can trap dust and lumps, so that annoying grit can become permanent.

You should wash your windows at least each season, so you can keep them looking fresh and avoid any serious damage. Cleaning your windows will allow more light to enter your beautiful rooms, boost your home’s curb appeal, and make everything look better.

2. Forgetting about appliances

Did you know that if you forget to clean your appliances, they might need more energy to do their job? This is why experts say that you should give your appliances a spruce at least twice a year, if not every season.

If your fridge has dirty coils, for instance, it will need to work harder because the debris insulates the coils rather than allowing them to distribute the heat and keep all your food cold and fresh.

If you plan on selling your home and think that the grease in your oven or microwave isn’t your problem anymore, I’m not sure that potential buyers will think the same. And even if you don’t want to sell your home, too much dirt and bacteria won’t do you any good, so it’s time to start cleaning!

3. Bad humidity

Humidity is a huge problem for everyone, regardless if you live in a house or an apartment. If your home is too dry, you might experience a dry mouth when you wake up and an uncomfortable feeling overall. If it’s too humid, on the other hand, you might notice some mold spots here and there. No good! So, how are you supposed to know how humid or dry your home should be?

Experts say that the proper indoor humidity is somehow between 40 and 50%. This means that you won’t have any problems with mold, runny nose, dry mouth, and so on.

You can check your humidity level with the help of a small, inexpensive hygrometer. You can find one at any hardware store, or you can get this one from Amazon and keep track of your home’s humidity levels throughout the year. Besides the health issues you might experience due to humidity, this can also cause some trouble with your home.

For instance, if there’s too much indoor humidity, get ready to see a lot of condensation on your windows. And that’s like a vicious circle, because it can then ruin your sills and frames, make your doors swell up and make it hard to open them, cause wood rot, and even cause you to see mildew in your carpet.

And if there’s too little humidity, that might cause your paint or hardwood floors to flake or crack; your pretty wallpaper might start to peel off; and you’ll notice some gaps between your trim and nails. And of course, your health won’t exactly be at its best, since you’re more likely to cough and have a sore throat.

4. Not paying attention to the floors

Cleaning your floors is one of the most important things when it comes to having a beautiful and valuable home, but some people neglect it.

Speaking of that, did you know that approximately 80% of the things you vacuum from your floor are mainly dirt and bacteria that are tracked in from the outside? The worst thing about this is that it might damage your floors if you don’t properly take care of them.

Carpeted floors

If you have carpeted floors, for instance, you should vacuum them weekly, because germs, dirt, and bacteria will turn your carpet into their home, and that’s surely not something you like.

If you forget about cleaning, all that annoying grime might bond with the fibers, and you won’t be able to remove it, even if you go to a professional carpet cleaner. Just make sure that you clean everything weekly or 1-2 times a week in the high-traffic zones, and don’t forget to steam clean or shampoo your carpets once or twice a year, so they stay fresh and germ-free.

Hard floors

Dust and dirt not only look bad and can make you cough or sneeze, but they’re also abrasive, which means that they’re more likely to leave fine scratches on the surface of your beautiful hard flooring.

You can easily get rid of the dust by using a dry mop or a microfiber cloth (like this one from Amazon, which is affordable and gets the job done perfectly), but if there are many people in your household, you might need to take your cleaning routine to the next level.

Experts say that you can sweep or vacuum your hard floors every week to keep them clean, but if any areas are high-traffic, you should take care of them every other day.

Your kitchen, for instance, is a place where germs and bacteria can live happily because it’s a place where people spend a lot of time, which means that tiny particles of food can fall on the ground and cause more grime.

Don’t forget to mop every week, after you’re done sweeping or vacuuming, so that everything is fresh and shiny. Put on your favorite music and let’s start cleaning!

5. No HVAC maintenance

This cleaning mistake is going to cost you a lot in the long run, so make sure you don’t do it! An HVAC that is full of dirt is going to need more energy to do its job, which means that your bills are going to be higher. And if you plan on selling your home, potential buyers surely won’t like something like this.

However, a little bit of cleaning and extra care are all you need to keep your HVAC system in check. Here’s a small checklist that will help you: don’t forget to change your filters at least once every season, and if you have any allergies or pets, it might be better to change them monthly.

Cleaning your floor registers and air ducts at least twice a year is going to do wonders for your home since your system isn’t going to circulate any debris.

Besides cleaning, you should contact a professional to check out your entire system in the spring and winter, so you can make sure that everything runs smoothly. They’ll also help you with cleaning everything and identifying any signs that a problem might appear along the way, which is a plus.

Do you have a hard time cleaning? Say no more, because I know how to help you! Check out this article: These Experts Revealed The Best Cleaning Products Under $10!