3 Things a Pro Housekeeper Wishes You Would Stop Doing When Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning your home, you might have your own preferences for the products, tools, and methods you stick to. But it can also be worthwhile to explore new strategies, the latest cleaning finds, or even get some expert advice on the things you should and shouldn’t do. After all, you never know what you can learn to help aid you in achieving a sparkling clean home.

Here’s one place to start: In a recent video by Vanesa Amaro, a former professional housekeeper (and TikTok’s “Queen of Cleaning”), she outlines the three things she wishes people would stop doing when cleaning their homes. And honestly, you’ll want to heed her advice right now.

Here’s what she had to say.

Amaro stresses the importance of never mixing chemicals when you clean because it can be dangerous not just to your home, but also to yourself. “You can become really sick and end up in the hospital,” says Amaro in the video. Some cleaning products that should never be mixed include hydrogen peroxide and vinegar, bleach and ammonia, rubbing alcohol and bleach, and vinegar and ammonia.

Bleach is a powerful chemical product, so using it requires some caution (plus, you have to make sure it’s still safe to use). One spot you should never use it on? Stone surfaces. Bleach will damage your stone surface, so Amaro suggests using a cleaner that’s specifically made for your type of surface.

Once you’re done cleaning, Amaro urges you to disinfect the area. What’s the difference between cleaning and disinfecting? According to the CDC, cleaning means physically removing most germs, dirt, and impurities, while disinfecting means killing remaining germs on the surface. Additionally, cleaning should always be done before sanitizing or disinfecting.