Australian consumer group CHOICE reveals the serious cleaning mistakes you’re making at home

From pre-rinsing your dishes to using bleach to remove mould: The serious cleaning mistakes you’re making at home – and what you should do instead

  • Experts have revealed the biggest cleaning mistakes you are making at home 
  • Australian consumer group CHOICE has compiled a list of cleaning blunders 
  • List includes pre-rinsing dishes and using bleach to remove mould

Consumer experts have revealed the biggest cleaning mistakes you are making at home, from pre-rinsing dishes to using bleach to remove mould.

Australian consumer group CHOICE has compiled a list of blunders many are all guilty of when it comes to domestic chores – and there are a number of serious mistakes that actually leave your home filthy.

PRE-RINSING DISHES 

One of the serious cleaning mistakes people make is pre-rinsing dirty dishes before stacking them in the dishwasher, which usually come with in-built sensors that allow them to determine how dirty the dishes inside them are.

CHOICE whitegoods expert Ashley Iredale said by pre-rinsing can ‘trick’ the dishwasher into thinking the dishes are cleaner than they actually are so it won’t clean as well.

He suggested scraping leftover food into the bin and loading dishes as they are. 

One of the serious cleaning mistakes people make is pre-rinsing dirty dishes before stacking them in the dishwasher (stock image)

The biggest cleaning mistakes you’re making at home 

1. Pre-rinsing dishes before stacking them in a dishwasher

2. Not cleaning your vacuum cleaner

3. Forgetting most-used touch points

4. Not washing your washing machine 

5. Using hot water to clean stains

6. Not replacing sponges regularly

7. Not cleaning your chopping boards sufficiently

8. Using bleach to remove mould

NOT CLEANING WASHING MACHINE

One of the things people forget doing is washing their washing machine, which get clogged up with detergent residue.

‘Over time detergent residue, or scrud, can build up inside the machine, potentially causing it to break down or leaving flaky deposits on your clothes,’ Mr Iredale said.

USING BLEACH TO REMOVE MOULD 

Before you get rid of the mould in your home, the experts said you should avoid using cleaning products with bleach that claim to kill mould.

Bleach can take the colour out of fungi, making it invisible but the experts warned it’s still ‘lurking’ beneath the surface.

The best cleaning solution to remove mould for good is to use vinegar, which is much more effective for use on porous materials.

Before you get rid of the mould in your home, the experts said you should avoid using cleaning products with bleach that claim to kill mould. The best cleaning solution to remove mould for good is to use vinegar, which is much more effective for use on porous materials (stock image)

Before you get rid of the mould in your home, the experts said you should avoid using cleaning products with bleach that claim to kill mould. The best cleaning solution to remove mould for good is to use vinegar, which is much more effective for use on porous materials (stock image)

Cleaning a chopping board with hot water and dishwashing detergent is not enough to eliminate harmful bacteria after cutting up raw meat (stock image)

Cleaning a chopping board with hot water and dishwashing detergent is not enough to eliminate harmful bacteria after cutting up raw meat (stock image)

NOT CLEANING CHOPPING BOARDS SUFFICIENTLY 

Cleaning a chopping board with hot water and dishwashing detergent is not enough to eliminate harmful bacteria after cutting up raw meat. 

To really make sure chopping boards are spotlessly clean, the experts suggested placing plastic chopping boards in the dishwasher on a hot cycle.

While wooden chopping boards should be cleaned with a hydrogen peroxide solution, which is effective at removing bacteria.

‘If you’re chopping raw meats and foods that have strong odours, such as onion and garlic, soak the board in boiling water and rub a cut lemon on the washed surface to help remove any odours,’ CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair said. 

USING HOT WATER TO REMOVE STAINS

Using hot water will actually set the stains in instead of lifting them, especially protein based stains like blood. 

The experts suggested using cold water.

FORGETTING TO CLEAN MOST-USED TOUCHED POINTS

With millions of Australians in lockdown amid Covid-19, the experts highly recommended regularly cleaning light switches, door handles and even TV remotes.

These are the most touched points around the house, so it makes sense that they harbour germs and bacteria.

Ensure you clean these spots using a disinfect that kills viruses.



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