Whether it’s sticking to a fitness regime or a cleaning schedule, finding routine is hard. But having a clean space and a clear mind go hand-in-hand—and once you get the hang of it, the process of cleaning can actually help relieve stress instead of causing it.
So building better habits towards a clean home is one of your goals, scroll on: our experts are breaking down the most common bad habits they see, and exactly how to fix them.
Meet the Expert
- Rosa Picosa is a cleaning content creator, and Fabuloso cleaning expert.
- Vanessa Bossart is the founder of GreenTerra Cleaning, a San Francisco-based eco-friendly cleaning service.
Starting Without a Plan
As glamorous as a Sunday reset may seem, cleaning expert and content creator Rosa Picosa says in reality, knowing exactly where to begin with your home cleaning day can be a major obstacle.
“One of the biggest mistakes I used to make was cleaning without a plan,” Picosa says. “If you don’t know where to start, the best thing to do is break your cleaning tasks into categories like trash, laundry, dusting, and vacuuming. This keeps your energy focused ,and your mission clear.”
To avoid stress, she advises allocating 15 minutes to each task, setting a timer, and taking a quick break once it goes off.
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Not Cleaning Top-To-Bottom
For the most part, selecting cleaning techniques for your space is a personal choice. But according to cleaning pro Vanessa Bossart, there’s one foolproof method that should always be followed.
“Many people start cleaning lower surfaces like countertops or floors before addressing higher areas like shelves, cabinets, or ceiling fans,” she says. “This leads to dust and debris falling onto already-cleaned spaces, requiring extra time and effort.”
Once you’ve cleared any objects, Bossart says to always work from top to bottom. Start by running an extendable dusting brush around the corners of your ceiling, then work your way down to shelves, tables, and sideboards.
By the time you finish, all the dust will be on the floor ready to vacuum away—not knocked back onto your freshly cleaned surfaces.
Using Too Many Products
With so many options for cleaning products on the market, and countless viral videos pushing the next best thing, it’s tempting to stock up on it all.
But Picosa warns there can be too much of a good thing. It’s best to avoid buying into the fads and creating cleaning cocktails, because too many products can actually end up creating more buildup and clutter.
“I get it—it’s easy to latch onto the latest CleanTok trend, and buy a new product you don’t really need,” she says. “But this can end up making the entire cleaning process feel even more stressful than it needs to be. To streamline, I recommend finding a solid multi-purpose cleaner you can use for everything.”
Using the Wrong Tools
If you want the most effective clean on each surface in your home, Bossart says it’s key to use the right tools and supplies.
“Using improper tools—such as abrasive scrubbers on delicate surfaces or the same cloth for different areas—can lead to damage or cross-contamination,” she says.
When it comes to wiping easily-scratched areas made of glass and stainless steel, make sure to use soft microfiber cloths—and have a few on hand, so you can keep your kitchen sink free of the leftover toothpaste and germs picked up from your bathroom mirror.
Overworking Yourself
Another major drawback of the once-a-week clean is that it takes a lot of time and energy, and can be both physically and mentally draining.
“Don’t try to get everything done all at once,” Picosa says. “All this will do is clutter your mind, overwhelm you, and create a barrier between you and a clean, peaceful home.”
To minimize aches and pains, she suggests focusing on a specific task or room each day, and breaking cleaning down into shorter, more manageable sessions.
“It might take some trial and error to find what works best for your lifestyle, but take the time to figure out a weekly cleaning schedule,” she says. “I promise, you will notice a difference.”
Forgetting to Clean Supplies
When it comes to home maintenance, Bossart says setting a schedule for refreshing and replacing your supplies and tools can be almost as important as doing so for the tasks themselves.
“Dirty cleaning tools, such as mops, sponges, or cloths, spread grime rather than removing it,” Bossart explains. “Wash microfiber cloths and mop pads after each use, and replace sponges weekly. Also, make sure to keep your vacuum’s filter and brush heads clean to maintain optimal suction and performance.”
Unhealthy Comparison
Although using the right tools and techniques are great, one of the most crucial cleaning habits you can build is maintaining motivation and a positive mindset. And according to Picosa, one of the biggest mistakes we can make is comparing our spaces to the picture-perfect homes we see on social media.
“While you’re learning and establishing your new cleaning system, give yourself grace,” Picosa says. “The unrealistic expectation of a perfectly clean home 100 percent of the time will only discourage you, or send you into a rage clean that you can’t sustain—and I’m willing to bet your home doesn’t need to be immaculate at all times for you to feel relaxed and at peace.”
