8 Common Cleaning Mistakes and What the Pros Do Instead

Let’s be honest: cleaning seems pretty straightforward. You spray, you wipe, you vacuum, and ta-da! Clean house. Right? Well, not quite.

Even the most enthusiastic at-home cleaners can fall into habits that make the job harder, less effective, or, worst of all, undo some of their hard work. The good news is that these common cleaning mistakes are easy to fix, and we’re here to help with some insider knowledge from the pros at Absolutely Spotless Cleaning.

Here are a few things we see people do all the time, and what we recommend instead.

1. SPRAYING AND WIPING IMMEDIATELY

That trusty all-purpose cleaner? It needs a few seconds to actually do its job. Spraying and instantly wiping it away might make you feel like you're getting things done quickly, but it doesn’t give the product time to lift dirt or kill germs.

Pro Tip: Spray, let it sit for a minute or two (follow the label’s directions), then wipe. You’ll get a deeper clean with less effort.

2. CLEANING WITH A DIRTY SUPPLIES

From cloths to scrub brushes, your tools can make or break your clean. Using the same grimy rag across rooms spreads germs instead of eliminating them. And worn-out tools? They don’t clean, they just push messes around.

Pro Tip: Use colour-coded cloths for different areas and wash or sanitize them frequently. Replace brushes and sponges when they start to wear down. We always bring fresh, sanitized tools so your home gets the real deal every time.

3. SKIPPING THE HIGHS AND LOWS

Dust loves to hang out on top of door frames, light fixtures, and baseboards. These areas are often forgotten because they’re either out of sight or just plain annoying to get to.

Pro Tip: Working from top to bottom when you clean ensures any falling dust or debris ends up on the floor, where it will get cleaned up last. At Absolutely Spotless Cleaning, we always include high and low areas in our cleans. It's one of the ways we go above and beyond what many other companies offer.

4. USING TOO MUCH PRODUCT

More cleaner equals more clean, right? Not quite. Overusing product can lead to streaky surfaces, sticky residue, and wasted time.

Pro Tip: A little goes a long way. The right amount of the right product, used properly, will give you far better results. That’s part of why we use eco-friendly Canadian products. We know how well they work, and we use just what we need.

5. NOT HAVING A SYSTEM

Cleaning randomly might feel satisfying in the moment, but it’s easy to miss things or redo work you already did.

Pro Tip: Professionals always have a plan. We move through your space systematically to make sure nothing is skipped and no surface is cleaned twice. It’s efficient, effective, and it keeps your home Absolutely Spotless!

6. VACUUMING TOO FAST

Fast vacuuming might grab the crumbs, but it won’t give your floors the deep clean they deserve.

Pro Tip: Whether you’re doing a touch-up or tackling a spill between Absolutely Spotless Cleaning visits, take it slow. Make overlapping passes and clean or replace filters often for maximum suction.

7. USING THE WRONG PRODUCT FOR THE JOB

It might be tempting to grab one all-purpose spray for everything, but not all surfaces are created equal. Using the wrong product can lead to damage or build-up.

Pro Tip: Always check the label or do a spot test first. We use specific products for each surface to protect your home while making it sparkle.

8. FORGETTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES

You’ve cleaned the counters, floors, and bathrooms, but it's the little things like smudged light switches, dusty picture frames, or fingerprints on mirrors that can make a home feel less than spotless.

Pro Tip: Keep a microfiber cloth handy for a final once-over of small surfaces. We always do a final walk-through to make sure the details shine.

AVOID COMMON CLEANING MISTAKES - LEAVE IT TO THE PROS

Sure, you could spend your weekend Googling “how to clean grout properly” or “best way to degrease stove knobs.” But why not just let someone else do the dirty work?

At Absolutely Spotless Cleaning, deep cleaning is our standard, and we back it up with our Service Guarantee. We use proven systems, eco-conscious products, and a whole lot of experience to keep your home fresh and healthy.

Need a little extra help or want to see how we can take your cleaning routine to the next level? Request a quote today and leave the scrubbing to us.

Proudly serving: Hamilton, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Caledonia, Burlington, Waterdown, Oakville, Brantford, Cambridge, Paris, and Woodstock.