Maintaining a well kept house has numerous benefits. It promotes good health, brings mental clarity and reduces stress. You can enjoy a harmonious, positive and comfortable indoor environment while keeping grime, gunk and germs at bay.
For some, performing house cleaning chores is like a meditation, while others see it as an added burden due to their hectic schedules. Those who tackle dirt, gunk and debris often face potential challenges, such as time constraints, lack of proper tools, and cleaning difficult-to-access spots. This can do more harm than good, leading to injuries, potential damage, cleaning stress, etc. Therefore, it is essential to prepare everything in advance, use proven hacks and follow safety measures to streamline the process.
In today's guide, we will discuss the top 7 challenges of DIY house cleaning. It also covers the best ways to overcome potential issues and achieve a spotless home. You can also prefer hiring experts for a cheap end of lease cleaning Sydney to secure your hard earned bond money.
Let’s Get Started!
1. Lack of Specialised Cleaning Tools/Gadgets
Detailed house cleaning requires proper tools to eliminate soap scum, food debris, buildup grease and grime from different surfaces.
Without HEPA filtered vacuums, microfiber cloths, steam cleaners, assorted brushes, and scrubbing pads, it could be difficult to tackle embedded dirt, allergens and stubborn stains effectively. This often leads to surface damage, half baked cleaning and overuse of chemical cleaners.
The Solution: It is good to stock up on all the necessary cleaning tools in advance. Investing in a vacuum cleaner, mops, and microfiber cloths can help deliver exceptional results. Ensure you prepare a proper cleaning caddy to save time and energy.
2. Using Wrong or Hazardous Cleaning Products
Did you know that the majority of store bought household cleaners contain harmful chemicals? Ammonia, bleach, phthalates and other VOCs can lead to indoor air pollution. Excessive use can even trigger your allergy symptoms, pre existing asthma condition, etc. Moreover, using abrasive products on delicate surfaces like hardwood, painted walls, etc can cause permanent damage or lead to costly repairs, especially when moving out of your tenancy in NSW.
If you are looking for safe and sound alternatives to traditional cleaners, prepare homemade cleaning solvents at home using natural ingredients:
- White Vinegar: Use it as a natural all purpose cleaner to tackle dirt, grime and gunk from almost all surfaces, except for natural stone. From windows to mirrors, carpets to microwaves, clean everything without any toxic fumes.
- Baking Soda: A versatile and eco friendly deodoriser, degreaser and disinfectant. Use it as a paste or sprinkle it on carpets to banish bad smells.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: It is one of the most effective mould removers on the list.
- Rubbing Alcohol: Use it as a disinfectant to kill germs and bacteria
- Crystal Soda: Clean oven racks, fridge shelves and sinks with perfection.
- Castile Soap: Use it to clean floors, tiles, faucets, carpets, etc.
- Essential Oils: Refresh your home using lavender, tea tree, and lemon essential oils to create a soothing environment.
3. The Risk of Damage: Scratches, Warping and Dullness
There is always a risk of surface damage in a DIY house cleaning process. Using the wrong techniques or abrasive tools on delicate surfaces can cause scratches, dull finishes or even warp the top layer. To overcome this challenge, you should always read the care labels when cleaning upholstery, carpets and rugs. It can help you determine the right cleaning approach to prevent damage. Also, blot the stain rather than rubbing to prevent further deterioration.
When removing stains from natural stone surfaces like laminate or porcelain counters and sinks, ensure you avoid using acidic cleaners like vinegar. Instead, use mild dish soap or baking soda. For hardwood floors, never use water in excess to prevent moisture and mould infestation.
If you are concerned about your bond money at the end of your tenancy, hire end of lease cleaning Sydney professionals and impress your fussy landlord. They follow tried and tested methods to clean different surfaces without causing any damage or discolouration.
4. Cleaning Hard to Reach Surfaces
This is one of the most common challenges of DIY house cleaning. Most people overlook their ceiling fans, air vents, walls, and light fixtures due to accessibility issues. Leaving these areas dirty can cause indoor air pollution, triggering underlined allergies and other health conditions.
If you want to create a healthy and hygienic home, clean every nook and cranny. To overcome this issue, use a telescopic duster or a microfiber cloth with an extendable handle to clean ceiling fans, walls, light fixtures and fittings.
To clean window tracks and tile grout lines, use an old toothbrush to trap accumulated dust, grime and grease and create a healthy home.
5. Tackling Mould and Mildew: The Real Challenge
Mould and mildew spores thrive in dark, humid and damp areas, posing a health risk while causing structural damage if not treated promptly. Most homemakers don’t know the right way to banish these black spores. So, here is a solution to help create a breathable and healthy home environment:
- Address mould spores and apply 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide to tackle stains. You can use it on your bathroom tiles, shower area, walls and curtains.
- Fix the leakage problems in your kitchen and bathroom
- Apply mould resistant paint on your garage walls and other damp areas
- Ensure proper ventilation to banish moisture from the air
6. The Struggle with Clutter Chaos
Believe it or not! Scattered clutter across the rooms can make DIY cleaning overwhelming, ineffective and challenging. Excess items on couches, floors and tables hinder the cleaning process, making it difficult to reach every corner. It also increases the overall cleaning time.
To solve this, ensure you regularly declutter room by room. Spend 20 minutes daily in the morning to create the mess and create an organised home. Using storage solutions like shelves, bins, and multifunctional furniture can also help you reduce clutter. If possible, donate or toss unwanted items and maximise your living space.
7. Time Constraints Due to Busy Schedules
Cleaning an entire house is one of the most challenging tasks. This becomes more overwhelming for working couples, busy parents, and individuals stuck between family and social responsibilities. Whether you’re cleaning carpets or degreasing kitchen appliances, you'll need at least an hour or two to achieve spotless results.
To solve this problem, it is good to create a 7 day cleaning routine or speed up the task using smart tools like a robotic vacuum or steam mops. Sharing cleaning responsibilities with other family members can also save you time. If you are at the end of your tenancy, leave the time consuming tasks to end of lease cleaning Sydney experts. You can focus on other important tasks to ensure a seamless move out experience.
Challenges of DIY House Cleaning and Their Solutions
Wrapping Up
Cleaning an entire house can be overwhelming without proper tools and products. You may face challenges in maintaining a tidy abode. However, with this guide, you can easily overcome them and achieve spotless results with precision.