Six Things You’re Cleaning Too Often

What if we told you you were cleaning too much? Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? While some items in your home should be washed daily, weekly, or monthly, other items are better left alone. Apply a less-is-more approach to the following six items and spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your apartment!

Cast Iron Pans

Step away from the soap! Washing your expensive cast iron pans with soap and water after each use will strip away the seasonings that build up and ultimately ruin the pan. With no protective coating, your cast iron will rust and have to be disposed of.

Instead of soap and water, add half an inch of water to the bottom of your pan and let it come to a boil. Once the water has evaporated, scrape out the food remains with a plastic scraper and wipe dry with a paper towel.

Dishes

Stop wasting time rinsing your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. A dishwasher is there to clean your dirty dishes, not your pre-rinsed ones. Scrape any food into the garbage and then place your dishes right in the dishwasher, no preliminary rinse required!

Jeans

If you’re tossing your jeans into the wash after every use, you’re doing more harm than good. Jeans are made of durable denim and are designed to withstand long periods of time without washing. The material will actually break down and lose shape if cleaned too often! Put your jeans back in the drawer the next time you wear them instead of in the laundry basket.

Your Carpet

The more carpet cleaner, the better, right? Not really… Saturating a spill with carpet cleaner will break the fibers in the carpet down and lead to damage. For a more natural carpet cleaning solution, mix apple cider vinegar with water and keep in a spray bottle.

Wood Furniture

Wood specific cleaners will make your furniture dirtier over time if used too often. When used more than once a month, oil can build up which attracts dust and dirt. Use a microfiber cloth in between more thorough cleaning sessions to remove any dust or dirt from your furniture.

Your Hands

Yes, you’re washing your hands too much! Keep washing your hands after using the bathroom (please!) and before eating or preparing food. Otherwise, keep hand washing to a minimum. Washing too often or using hand sanitizer every half hour will strip healthy, immune-building bacteria from your hands and make you more susceptible to catching a cold or virus.

Looking for more cleaning tips and tricks? Learn 9 ways to organize your closet or how to properly declutter your home!