7 bad habits that are making your house dirtier

“Take the time to thoroughly clean tools after every use by emptying completely or washing in hot water and adding a disinfectant. Periodically replace with new tools.”

Additionally, grimy appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers and vacuums, won’t clean as effectively, leaving everything you clean them with a little dirtier than it could be. Keep all your tools clean and in good condition to make sure you’re getting the most out of your cleaning efforts.

4. Neglecting kitchen towels

Speaking of tools: Few cleaning items are as helpful or used as often as your trusty kitchen rag. Just make sure you’re cleaning that rag enough. The data shows that kitchen towels are easily contaminated, and even if you’re only using those towels to dry clean hands, you’re probably not tossing them in the wash enough and spreading bacteria and other filth to your clean hands and other surfaces every time you use the towel. Try to wash these towels more often, especially if you’re using them to clean up after cooking with meat or fish.

5. Skimming the instructions

Few things are more frustrating than when a cleaning spray or tool doesn’t work as expected — but sometimes, you can’t blame it all on the tool.

“Maybe you didn’t read the directions,” Leverette writes. “Most cleaners don’t work instantly. Bottom line: Spend 30 seconds reading the directions to avoid 30 minutes of extra scrubbing.”

Many of these instructions are necessary to use a product to its full potential, too, particularly if you’re sanitizing or disinfecting, so be sure to read those directions carefully and follow them exactly.

6. Trusting everything you see online

Viral cleaning videos may be entertaining, but they may not all give you the cleaning results you’re hoping for, and some may even lead to declines in the quality of your possessions (we’re looking at you, boiling wooden spoons). Take the tips you find online with a grain of salt. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you see something that would really help you out, test it carefully before going all-in.

7. Letting cleaning jobs pile up

“Most of us will find reasons to avoid a mess for as long as possible,” Leverette writes. “But if you and your family do a bit of cleaning each day, like load and empty the dishwasher, complete a load of laundry and vacuum one or two rooms, then cleaning the entire house will not be so overwhelming.”

Make a short daily to-do list or assign daily tasks to everyone in your household: With a few minutes each day, you’ll save yourself from hours of cleaning during the weekend.

(Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine and website devoted to ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden, plus recipes and entertaining ideas. Online at www.bhg.com.)