Japanese expert points out 4 mistakes that make the house dirtier the more you clean it
Common cleaning methods such as wiping the floor with a wet cloth actually spread bacteria and dirt, making the house dirtier.
Cleaning expert Tadao Matsumoto, representative director of the Japan Medical Hygiene Association, who has 35 years of experience in hospital cleaning, said that bacteria, pollen, dust mites, mold and other allergens are found in most homes. Wrong cleaning methods can cause these germs to spread and pose a health risk.
Japanese cleaning expert Chiaki Fujiwara also said that if the house is not cleaned properly, it can easily cause dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma and other problems, especially in high temperature and humid environments.
Experts point out four common mistakes people make when cleaning their house.
Should you open or close the windows when cleaning your house?
Many people think that they should open the windows when cleaning their house to let the dust fly away. But according to Tadao Matsumoto, this method is only suitable for well-ventilated single-storey houses, not suitable for townhouses and crowded residential areas, because a large amount of dust will be blown up by the wind and spread throughout the room. No matter how you clean, it will not be able to remove it all.
"One of the cleaning tricks is to collect dust most effectively without blowing it up," said Matsumoto. In other words, all you need to do when cleaning is to determine the path of wind and dust, and focus on areas that tend to accumulate dust. Therefore, when cleaning the house, you need to close the door.
After cleaning the house for about 15 minutes, proceed to ventilate. To ventilate, you should open 10 cm on both sides of the window. The narrower the window opening, the faster the wind speed and the more effective the air circulation between the air intake and the outlet.
Wet or dry cleaning?
We often clean the house with a wet cloth first. In fact, floors and furniture tend to accumulate a lot of dirt, hair and food crumbs. If you use a wet rag to wipe, the dust will easily stick to the gaps on the floor, making it difficult to remove.
Matsumoto recommends folding disposable paper towels into a V shape and wiping them to collect dirt. Then mix a spoonful of baking soda with 500 ml of 80-degree hot water in a spray bottle and spray it on the dirty spots on the floor. After 3 minutes, use a microfiber cloth to wipe it clean. At this point, you can use a mop one last time.
If you don't have time, you can just focus on cleaning the corners. Especially in the morning, all the dust in the air has settled on the floor, gently wiping the dust with a dry cloth will be very effective. It is recommended to clean before family members get up and walk around.
How to wipe?
There are two types of wiping: one for removing dirt and the other for disinfecting. If you just want to remove stains, there is no need to be particular about the wiping method.
When wiping tables, toilets, and handrails for disinfection purposes, you basically need to wipe in one direction. If you move it like a car wiper and wipe back and forth, not only will bacteria and viruses stick to your hands, but they will also spread dirt to clean areas. Especially when cleaning toilets, which are at high risk of infection, you need to wipe in one direction.
"Bacteria change over time, so it's best to clean as soon as possible. If it's a dining table, wipe it right after you finish eating," the expert said.
What is the order of cleaning your home?
Today, there are many types of cleaning products on the market, from vacuum cleaners to robot mops to other innovative gadgets. Cleaning can vary depending on the floor and purpose, but Matsumoto says there are three basic steps: sweeping, vacuuming and mopping.
"In modern times, sweeping has been reduced, but it is still an effective cleaning method for moving debris," he says. The most important step is mopping, and the key here is dry mopping.
Matsumoto says that dust generated in a room floats in the air and falls onto surfaces like floors, or furniture. It then travels along with the air currents created when people move around, turn on the air conditioner or open a door.
Dust is initially scattered throughout the room, so it may seem clean at first glance. However, if you leave it alone, it will gradually accumulate in the corners of the room and around furniture. “To vacuum effectively, it's important to focus on cleaning areas that tend to collect dust, such as the corners of rooms and around furniture,” says Matsumoto.
