13 Common Cleaning Mistakes That Can Do More Harm Than Good

DON'T. MOP. THE. HARDWOOD.

Cleaning may seem pretty straightforward, but there are actually a lot of ways you might be damaging your house — and your health — without even knowing it.

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But no worries! I've got you covered.

Here are a few common cleaning mistakes you might be making, along with an explanation of what you should be doing instead:

Unless otherwise indicated, all information is sourced from Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson, which you should totally check out if you have any other questions or concerns.

1. You're mopping your wood floors.

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Too much water can discolor or damage wood floors — and wooden furniture too! Instead of a standard mop, use a dust mop or vacuum to clean dirt and dust, and if your floors are feeling especially mucky, use a specially formulated wood floor cleaning product. If you insist on using a mop, use the least amount of water possible by thoroughly wringing it as you clean. Learn more here.

2. You're using dryer sheets in every load.

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Dryer sheets can actually reduce the absorbency of your towels, sheets, and t-shirts, so definitely don't use them every single time. If you do like using them for every load, Mendelson suggests cutting sheets in half or lightening the dose of fabric softener. They won't release quite as much of the waxy substance, but will still reduce static and soften the fabric.

3. You're using an acid to clean your marble countertops.

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Vinegar, Windex, and bleach will all dull your marble or any stone surface in your home so stick to a mild dish soap and hot water. Learn more here.

4. You're mixing bleach with other cleaning products.

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No. No. No. Just, no. You know chlorine gas? The stuff that can kill people? That's what you make when you mix stuff like ammonia with bleach. Mendelson says that the only thing you should really be mixing bleach with is laundry detergent and/or a tiny bit of dish soap. And no matter what, always clean with bleach in a well-ventilated area.

5. You're tossing your bras in the dryer with the rest of your clothing.

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Machine washing and drying is bad for bras as both can stretch the elastic and bend the hooks out of shape. If hand-washing and/or line drying is not your thing, be sure to put your bras in a delicates bag. It's not a perfect fix, but it will definitely help your bras stay in shape for longer. Learn more here.

6. You're dusting with a feather duster.

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A feather duster looks nice and probably makes you feel very posh while cleaning, but it doesn't do much more than move the dust around. Vacuuming with a soft bristle brush is the best way to get rid of dust, but a microfiber cloth or duster will also do the job. Learn more here.

7. You're washing your windows on a sunny day.

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A bright, sunny day is the perfect day to do all your outdoor cleaning, right? Wrong. When glass dries too quickly, it streaks. Mendelson says that doing your window washing on a cloudy day is best. Windex or watered-down ammonia (1/2 cup per gallon of warm water) both work. Once you've cleaned the glass, rub it completely dry with a microfiber towel or squeegee.

8. You're scrubbing stains out of carpet or upholstery as hard as you possibly can.

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Please, no! I can't watch, it's too horrifying! As tempting as it is to frantically rub at a stain, you're only going to make it worse. Take a breath. The first thing you need to do is pick up or blot as much of the substance that you can. Patience is key. Keep blotting until the area is as dry as you can get it. After that, it all depends on the kind of stain. Check out this guide to common carpet stains for more info on stain removal.

9. You're putting your makeup brushes back in their cup to dry after washing.

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In her book My Boyfriend Barfed in My Handbag...And Other Things You Can't Ask Martha, Jolie Kerr explains that it's essential to gently squeeze and wipe your brushes on a paper towel, then rest them flat to dry after washing. Otherwise, the water is gonna seep into the brush and ruin the glue that holds your bristles together. Plus, they'll probably start to smell.

10. You're not cleaning out the lint screen in your dryer after every cycle.

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Do you wanna start a fire?! Well you're gonna if you don't get a handle on the lint buildup! Pull the lint off the screen after every cycle, and give it a proper wash once or twice a year (or whenever it's visibly dirty). Around the same time, you should snake the dryer duct. This cleaning kit can make the job super simple.

Get a dryer duct cleaning kit from Amazon for $22.48.

11. You're using harsh cleaners on your stainless steel.

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Besides being pretty easy to scratch, stainless steel really doesn't need much more than a wipe down with mild soap and water. If you do have visible stains on your steel, make a paste with soap and baking soda. A microfiber towel and stainless-steel cleaner can also help with serious smudges and streaks. Learn more here.

12. You're not letting your pans cool before washing them.

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Any extreme change in temperature will cause the metal to warp, so wait at least a few minutes before washing your cookware. When you do, use tepid water and don't submerge it unless it's completely cooled down. Learn more here.

13. You're using a sponge to clean your home.

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Sponges are fine to use on the dishes (as long as you're sanitizing or throwing them out every week or so), but using that same sponge to wipe down the kitchen table is actually pretty gross. Sponges soak up and spread around bacteria, so if you're using the same one for the whole house you're picking up germs from one area and moving them to the other. Additionally, the scrubby side of a sponge can scratch delicate surfaces, like glass. Instead, Mendelson suggests using a microfiber rag (which has the added benefit of attracting and holding onto dust and dirt) or a paper towel to clean the surfaces outside of your kitchen sink.