Do you ever feel like you're constantly cleaning, only to find your home seems dirtier than before? It happens to the best of us. You might be surprised that some of your cleaning habits could actually be making your home dirtier in the long run.
 

Common Cleaning Mistakes:
 

1. Only Using Water and Dish Soap to Clean the Garbage Disposal Water and soap aren't enough—you need to thoroughly clean your garbage disposal to avoid mold and buildup. Run ice cubes through it with cold water, then add a cut-up lemon to cut through the grime.
    

2. Rubbing Carpet Fibers to Remove a Stain This actually opens up the carpet fibers to hold more dirt in the future. Instead, dab at a stain or use an all-purpose product and press with a clean microfiber cloth. For set stains (usually older than 24 hours), call a professional carpet cleaner.
    

3. Buying Fancy Products to Clean Stovetops The most expensive cleaning items aren't always best. You likely have effective cleaning supplies at home already. Sprinkle baking soda on the stovetop, add water to make a paste, cover the stain, and let a warm, damp rag sit on top for 30 minutes. Then wipe clean.
    

4. Using Dish Detergent to Clean Everything Dish detergent is great for attracting grease, but soaps attract dirt—that's how they clean. Using dish detergent too broadly might leave a dirt-attracting residue behind.
    

5. Not Cleaning Your Dishwasher Dishwashers need regular cleaning and maintenance. Remove baskets and racks, spray the inside with a 50/50 water and vinegar solution, and wipe down the door, sides, and bottom. Replace racks and baskets, then run the empty machine on its highest temperature setting without detergent.
    

6. Using Stainless Polish on Your Fridge Stainless polish leaves a bright, attractive finish, but it also attracts fingerprints and pet hair. If you have a shedding pet, you might end up with a hairy fridge from knee level down.
    

7. Not Removing Dust from the Fridge's Condenser Coils Dust buildup can be unsanitary and affect your fridge's cooling efficiency. Use a vacuum cleaner attachment and long-handled brush to clean dust and dirt from condenser coils on the bottom grille/kick plate.
    

8. Taking a Magic Eraser to the Walls Magic Erasers can buff off the top paint layer, leaving dull patches. Instead, use a slightly damp light-use sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe scuffs from walls.
    

9. Overusing Floor Polish Using too much product leaves a sticky residue that attracts dirt. Start by vacuuming or sweeping, then use minimal product with warm, clean water. Hand-clean edges under counters and by baseboards in bathrooms.