The Biggest Mistake in Cleaning

When I began my cleaning company I had to learn how to clean from the ground up and I had to really learn from my mistakes. Whether cleaning is very difficult for you or simply just another annoying task, here is my number 1 tip to help you clean better and more efficiently than ever!

Dwell Time

Dwell time or pre-treating is the practice of spraying down a dirty or stained surface and letting the cleaning solution sit for a little before wiping away the mess. This will allow you to get the most out of your cleaning solutions and will always result in a better clean.

When considering ‘dwell time’, it’s important to understand different products and how they react to different surfaces. People often forget you can’t just spray a product on and have it work instantly. It needs time to pre-treat and dwell on the surface. Products work best when we give them the opportunity to shine!

Dry Surfaces

If you’ve got some dry toothpaste splatters on your bathroom counter or some spilled jam on your kitchen counter, you may find they can be tough to clean. If you simply spray the surface and wipe it immediately, it won’t clean very well, if at all.

So, instead, spray down your dirty surface liberally, continue cleaning around the room, then come back after 2 or 3 minutes for a wipe-down. The most important thing with dwell time is you always want your surface to be sufficiently wet, so spray that solution on heavy, let it sit, and then wipe away! This will totally change the way you clean your bathroom, kitchen, and other often-used areas of the house.

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Disinfecting

Dwell time is extremely important when considering tasks that require serious disinfecting. Usually, when we watch product commercials, they only have a 30-second spot, so they don’t really have time to discuss dwell time. But, if you look at the back of the disinfecting solution, you’ll see that it’s recommended to leave products on a surface for anywhere between 2 and 10 minutes.

This will leave your surface looking cleaner and will ensure that you kill all bacteria and germs. Again, it will always come down to selecting the right product for the job. At the end of the day, we always want to make sure that the money spent on products isn’t going to waste. Pick the right product, let it dwell, and see the amazing difference it makes!

Stain Removal

Stain removal is both an art and a science! The most important thing here is always to treat your stain really quickly. This will give you the best chance to effectively get the stain out and clean the area thoroughly. It’s also important to consider the type of product you are going to use.

If you’re using an enzyme-based cleaner, you’ll want to let it sit longer than if it’s an oxygen-based or bleach-based cleaner. The product really needs a chance to break the stain down, break the bonds to the fabric, lift the dirt off the surface, and prime the garment to release the stain. The next time you go to treat a stain, give the product a few minutes of dwell time before you toss your garment into the wash. Voila! No more lasting stains!

Heavy-Duty Cleaning

Dealing with heavy-duty messes can be a real headache. Whether it’s a large build-up of soap scum in the bathroom or a super greasy stove backsplash, it can be tough to know where to start and how to tackle such a big task. Personally, I like to make each cleaning job as easy as possible and I know that if I use the right product, in the right way, it will make my job so much easier.

Level up your cleaning game by making sure to pick a product that is suitable for heavy-duty cleaning. Then, spray liberally on the dirty surface and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Sometimes, if it’s a particularly difficult job, I’ll let it soak for 5 minutes, re-spray the surface, then let it sit for another 5 to 10. This will leave you with better results every time. Less effort, a cleaner home, and more time to spend doing the things you love. It’s a win-win-win!

Learning how to use dwell time in my professional and personal cleaning life has dramatically reduced the amount of time I spend on these annoying tasks. When it comes to cleaning around the house I like to get the job done right the first time around. Work smart and you’ll never have to stress about cleaning jobs again!

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