Cleaning Like a Busy Bee? Why It Is Bad!

Do you find yourself cleaning quickly so you can tick off another task from your cleaning to-do list? This "busy bee" approach may seem like a good way to save time and get things done. However, rushing through cleaning - especially doing tasks like mopping carelessly, can create safety hazards and leave behind poor cleaning results.

In this blog, we'll explore why rushing to do the cleaning jobs is not the best approach and how taking your time can result in effective and thorough cleaning.

The 8 out of 10 Rule: Why Rushing Is Harmful?

The 8 out of 10 rule states that when you rush through completing your cleaning tasks, you might save time. However, it might leave many spots missed while cleaning, overlook many safety hazards, and result in poorer quality outcomes. The key challenges faced include:

• Health Concerns: Rushed cleaning may fail to properly disinfect high-traffic areas, leaving behind germs, bacteria, or molds. It contributes to poor air quality and increased risk of illnesses.
• Increased Safety Risks: If you rush over the cleaning process, for example, rushed mopping, it will lead to dangerous outcomes. Walking barefoot on a dirty floor is bad enough, collecting germs and other harmful bacteria; yet walking barefoot on a wet floor is even more hazardous. When mopping is rushed, the mop head may not be properly wrung out—or worse, not wrung out at all. Cleaning like this may leave uneven wet spots across the floor and can result in dangerous possibilities such as; slipping and falling,  causing sprains, fractures, and furniture damage.
• Lower Productivity: When you rush through cleaning tasks, you don't clean your home thoroughly and efficiently. The mold or mildew could start to develop and require a much more intensive cleaning process later. Furthermore, areas like the corners of a room, spots on the kitchen cabinets, areas behind furniture, dusting on kick-knacks, and other details could be missed if you don’t pay proper attention.
• Compromised Quality: Hurrying through doing cleaning tasks may leave small corners and hidden spots in your home untouched. It might cause potential damage to surfaces and require rework and additional cleaning. For example - You might miss some important areas like air vents and ducts. If the accumulated dirt and dust are not properly cleaned from these items, bacteria, and harmful allergens will continue to circulate throughout your home.

How to Clean More Effectively Without Rushing?

Cleaning your home is all about creating a safe environment for your family members. However, your busy schedules might let you follow the "busy bee" approach, which can tick off as many tasks as possible on your to-do list but create many unwanted and unintended challenges. Therefore, you should follow some strategies to clean floors and your home effectively without compromising quality.

Set a Schedule and Prioritize Tasks

Organize your tasks and set a schedule for each cleaning job, such as cleaning the bathrooms, mopping the floors, or dusting furniture based on priority. Try to focus on one task at a time to see effective results. To do this:

• Set the Right Schedule: Allocate specific times and days for a more focused approach to accomplishing different home cleaning tasks. Instead of trying to do everything in one day with time, try to break up the workflow based on priority. For example, you can clean the bathroom in the morning, then bedrooms can be cleaned in the afternoon, and you can leave the kitchen to be cleaned in the evening after it is used for the day. You can deep clean your bathroom and bedroom twice a week and schedule kitchen cleaning for once a week.
• Prioritize Your Tasks for More Efficiency: Most professional Chicago house cleaners suggest starting with tasks that require little effort. For example, if you are cleaning your bathroom, clean your mirrors and counters first. After that, move to the shower bath, then the toilet, and end with floors. It's always best to work top to bottom, so dirt can travel to the floor and be swept/mopped all up in one spot without the need to re-clean.

Choose the Right Types of Cleaners for Different Floorings

You need different types of cleaners for a variety of floors. The right cleaning product and equipment for the floorings ensures more clean floors and better results without damaging the surface.

• Utilize a steam mop to deep-clean tile floors.
• Use eco-friendly and natural cleaners such as a mixture of water and vinegar and clean it with a soft mop to maintain the natural shine of the hardwood floors.

Handle Cleaning Supplies Safely to Prevent Accidents

The rushed approach to cleaning, especially when handling heavy equipment and cleaning supplies, increases the likelihood of accidents. The 8 out of 10 Rule states that when you are rushing to do the cleaning tasks, you give your 80% potential to accomplish the job. It means that you neglect safety measures. Slow down when using equipment like a steam mop or Swiffer, and take your time while mopping, vacuuming, and moving furniture to reduce the risk of accidents.

• Place anti-slip mats in high-traffic areas where moisture is present on the floors.
• Move furniture carefully to avoid the risk of accidents.

Handle Fragile Items Carefully to Avoid Damage

Pay full attention to fragile items, like glassware, ceramic decorations, or even delicate electronics, when you are accomplishing cleaning jobs.

• Slow down and place each item carefully when you are dusting.
• Clear off fragile items before cleaning countertops to reduce the breakage of these items.
• Wipe down counters that have fragile items slowly.

Take Breaks When Needed

Rushing to do cleaning tasks leads to burnout. Therefore, to maintain a steady pace with doing cleaning jobs, taking breaks helps you remain consistent, focused and full of energy.

• Try to focus on one task and then take a 5-minute break after completing the job.
• Step away and take a rest whenever you feel tired, stressed, and overwhelmed.

Hire Cleaning Professionals for High-Quality Cleanings

You miss areas or fail to clean floors and other surfaces properly when you are rushing to complete your tasks on the to-do list. Therefore, you should consider hiring a reliable and reputable cleaning company for high-quality home cleaning results.

• The professional cleaners focus on details and clean every surface thoroughly, including corners, edges, and hard-to-reach areas.
• Most of the professional cleaners utilize eco-friendly cleaning solutions that are safe for you and the environment.
• Professional cleaning uses the right products and tools tailored to fit your cleaning needs.
• Professional cleaning reduces your workload and allows you to focus on other tasks.

Conclusion: Clean Your Homes Efficiently by Slowing Down

Rushing through cleaning tasks too quickly causes the risk of accidents, breakage of items, damage to the floors, poor cleaning quality, and increased cleaning time to be spent on more often overlooked spots in the long run. Therefore, slowing down and doing cleaning tasks more thoroughly can offer more productive and higher-quality cleanings in your home.

So, if you're unable to give the necessary hours for detailed cleaning, you can hire a cleaning company like Fresh Tech Maid for thorough cleanings at your home. The cleaning company is known for offering top-notch deep cleaning services in Chicago, utilizing the right tools and products for different types of floors.  Schedule your cleanings today with one of the best cleaning teams in the area, to keep clean floors in your homes!