7 mistakes to avoid for a squeaky-clean toilet

7 mistakes to avoid for a squeaky-clean toilet

A spic-and-span washroom is a sign of a clean and hygienic home. Maintaining a clean toilet is all about using the right products and following certain cleaning practices systematically. Today, the market is loaded with multipurpose cleaners and disinfectant products that are highly effective, facilitating a clean washroom. However, it is also essential to avoid certain cleaning mistakes, which can lead to hygiene problems. Some such common toilet-cleaning mistakes are as follows:

Treating all bathroom surfaces similarly
Each surface in a bathroom typically has different textures, requiring different cleaning products to be used for each. For example, a mildly abrasive cleaner should be used to remove scum, whereas non-abrasives are ideal for tiles, and bathtubs.

Not cleaning the toilet brush
The toilet brush can be a petri dish for bacteria and germs if left uncleaned and can lead to major hygiene issues eventually. It is advisable to clean the toilet brush thoroughly after every use, preferably by filling a bucket with warm water, adding some bleach to it, and leaving the brush in this solution for an hour. The brush should then be rinsed with fresh warm water before use.

Not cleaning the exhaust fan
An exhaust fan is essential in the bathroom to get rid of odor, moisture, humidity, etc. An unclean exhaust fan can lead to the development of mildew due to moisture and contribute to an unclean bathroom. Thus, it is important to clean the exhaust fan regularly, at least once in a fortnight, to avoid such problems.

Not dusting the surfaces
Not dusting before cleaning the bathroom and toilet can cause dust particles to circulate around the place, causing dust allergies and preventing the cleaning process from being effective. Engaging in an extensive dusting process before each cleaning session is important to ensure that all the dry dust is removed.

Using the same sponge for all surfaces
A common bathroom-cleaning mistake is to use the same sponge/duster for all surfaces. This practice does not help get rid of dirt and bacteria – it only transfers them from one surface to the other. Therefore, one must purchase different sponges for each surface.

Ignoring the toothbrush holder
The toothbrush holder is typically overlooked, as it is only used to store dental tools like brushes and tongue cleaners. However, wet toothbrushes are often placed directly on the holder, causing them to drip. Thus, these holders collect bacteria over time and can be the breeding grounds for infections. Cleaning toothbrush holders from time to time are important to avoid such issues.

Cleaning the bath mat infrequently
Bath mats are exposed to constant moisture and can collect bacteria and germs with time. Therefore, it is important to clean the mat regularly to avoid infections and facilitate hygiene.

Using superior-quality cleaning products for your toilet is half the battle won. Clorox’s Pine-Sol® multipurpose home disinfectant can be used to clean various surfaces, including toilets, tubs, urinals, and showers, and remove infection-causing bacteria, leaving your bathroom clean and tidy.

Previous Read

Mistakes to avoid while using a vacuum cleaner

Many people use vacuum cleaners but still can't figure out how to use the appliance properly. If you don't use a vacuum cleaner the right way, you'll never get the desired results, plus you'll end up damaging the machine. Regardless of the type of vacuum cleaner you own, there are certain mistakes you must avoid while using it to improve its efficiency and longevity. Read on to know what these mistakes are. Emptying the dust bag only when overfilled Although inconvenient, it's necessary to empty the dust bag well before it's full or after each use. If you operate a vacuum cleaner while its dust bag or container is full, performance drops drastically. It doesn't pick up dust and dirt as effectively as it can. Moreover, a full dust bag can restrict airflow within the appliance, increasing the risk of overheating and damage. Don't want to empty the dust bag frequently? Consider buying a vacuum cleaner with a bigger dust bag. Assuming it's broken If your vacuum cleaner stops working suddenly, that doesn't necessarily mean it's broken. Vacuum cleaners often lose suction when the dust bag is full, or the hose is clogged. Also, many models today come with a feature that makes the appliance shut off automatically when the motor becomes too hot. This is to prevent further appliance damage and hazardous incidents. Empty the dust bag and clean the filter, hose, and brush roll to restart successfully. Vacuuming everything It can be hard to resist the urge to vacuum just about anything and everything when in a hurry. This is one of the costliest mistakes vacuum owners make! Most vacuum cleaners are designed to pick up everyday dust and dirt. Running them over small, hard objects, such as a penny or screw, can seriously damage or even break the appliance. You must also avoid trying to suck up water or other liquids, as it ruins the motor and can cause an electric shock. Using baking soda to pre-clean or deodorize Many homeowners use baking soda to remove resilient stains and get rid of odors from carpets and upholstery. While that may be effective, it's not advisable to run vacuum cleaners over surfaces rubbed with this chemical compound. The tiny baking soda particles can clog the filter over time, making the machine work harder and decreasing its longevity. Operating with the wrong attachments Not getting the desired vacuuming results? Maybe you're using the wrong attachment or not using one when required. Most vacuum cleaners come with dusting brushes, crevice tools, and sundry attachments to clean hard-to-reach areas, such as ceilings or under the furniture. These attachments also eliminate dust and allergens from spots homeowners overlook, such as light fixtures, baseboards, lampshades, and furniture upholstery.

Next Read

Cleaning window blinds – Key supplies and steps

Window blinds are an essential part of home decor, providing privacy, light control, and aesthetic appeal. However, they can quickly become a breeding ground for dust, grime, and allergens, making it essential to keep them clean. So, regardless of the kind of blinds you have—wooden, vinyl, or fabric—here is a comprehensive guide with all the necessary steps to clean your window blinds and keep them dust-free for a long time. Key cleaning supplies Before you start cleaning the blinds, you must have the following: microfiber cloth or duster, a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, mild detergent, warm water, a bucket, a spray bottle, and clean water for rinsing. Cleanup process The first step for cleaning your window blinds is to close the blinds entirely and dust them with a microfiber cloth or duster. If your blinds are particularly dirty, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to get rid of any debris or dust. Here is all you need to know about working with different types of blinds: Horizontal blinds: If you are working with horizontal blinds, tilt the slats in one direction, and clean each slat with a microfiber cloth or duster. Once done, tilt the blinds in the opposite direction and repeat the process. If you have wood window blinds, be careful not to use too much water, as it can damage the wood. Instead, use a wood cleaner and conditioner. However, this won’t be a concern when working with vinyl windows and blinds, as vinyl is incredibly easy to clean. Vertical blinds: Using a microfiber cloth or duster, gently wipe down each slat, making sure to get into all the little nooks. Don’d forget to repeat the process on the other side of the blinds. With just a little bit of patience and elbow grease, your vertical blinds will look as good as new. Fabric blinds: The process here is slightly different from cleaning horizontal or vertical blinds. Start by vacuuming the blinds to remove any dust or debris. Then, spot-clean stains using a mild detergent and warm water, being careful not to oversaturate the fabric. Rinse with clean water and let it dry completely before reinstalling. Final steps Before you call it a day, take a moment to give the surrounding areas a quick once-over. Dust tends to accumulate in the nooks and crannies around the windowsill, especially when working with sliding windows. A quick wipe-down with a damp cloth or duster can help prevent any buildup. Once everything looks spick and span, it is time to reinstall the lovely blinds and enjoy your sparkling-clean windows. Cleaning window blinds may seem time-consuming, but with the right tools and steps, it can be a breeze. Regular maintenance of blinds not only improves their appearance but also extends their lifespan, saving you money on window replacement costs. So, don’t wait until your blinds are covered in dust. Start cleaning them today and enjoy a clean and healthy living environment.

Our Blogs

4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

An investment advisor can be a game-changer. A capable advisor can help solve most of your financial issues and give you the best investment advice so that you can turn market situations to your favor. But, finding the right investment advisor is not easy. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while looking for the best investment advisor. Know what type of service you need First, you need to decide what kind of financial assistance you need. Do you need help picking investments? Or are you seeking advice on real estate, retirement, or insurance needs? Asking yourself these questions will help determine the type of investment advisor you are looking for. Nowadays, many people use a robo-advisor, which is as competent as a human investment advisor. A robo-advisor is great for investment management and other basic investments. But if you want substantial transformation in your money-situation, a human advisor is the viable option. Choose a fee-only advisor If you’ve decided to pick a human advisor, the next step is to choose the type of advisor: commission-based, fee-based, or fee-only. If you’re planning something big financially, you must pick a fee-only advisor. Such advisors work for and get paid by other clients like you, so they always act in their clients’ best interest.
Read More
Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

With pension plans becoming more and more obsolete, retirement-focused investments have come to the fore in the past few years. Besides helping you fund your future, these valuable assets also provide incredible gains, and in some cases, constant income till the end of life. Since investing for retirement—and planning it—can prove to be challenging, we have put together a list of tips that may be helpful in the process. Assess your options Multiple investment vehicles are ideal for long-term gains and can return a sizable amount by the time you retire. Mutual funds, stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, cash investments, annuities, and dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) are also good sources of high returns, although they depend on investor characteristics and risk aptitude. Saving money in certain tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k), individual retirement accounts (IRA), and brokerage accounts is also an option. Start early and young No one is ever too young to invest. It’s a healthy habit that can earn serious money in the long term, with even the smallest of investments capable of making a difference a few years down the line. Starting early gives your money time to grow and lets you accumulate more compound interest over a period of time.
Read More
4 popular credit cards for college students

4 popular credit cards for college students

A good credit score is essential as it can be a criterion for lucrative job prospects or renting an apartment. Moreover, a good credit score is an uncompromisable necessity while applying for a loan that has terms and conditions that favor you. To ensure that you have a good credit score, it is better to start building it young and early. One of the easiest ways to do so is by applying for a student credit card from prominent credit cards companies. Now, there are several credit cards companies that offer lucrative credit cards, making choosing the right one confusing. To help you narrow down your choices, here are some of the best credit cards companies that offer student credit cards. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: One of the biggest credit card companies in the country Bank of America offers a slew of benefits with its student credit card. With each dollar spent using this card, students can earn 1.5 points. This applies to purchases without any caps. The points can be redeemed as discounts on hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation packages. There are no restrictions or blackout dates applicable for availing these discounts. With no foreign transaction fee or annual fee, the card allows one to earn nearly 25,000 points on spending about $1000 in the first 90 days.
Read More
What you must know about guaranteed business loans

What you must know about guaranteed business loans

If you’re looking for funding your small business with a loan, you’ll most likely come across the term “guaranteed business loans.” People often misunderstand this term as business loans that are guaranteed to be approved. But, this is not what guaranteed business loans means. To clarify the confusion, let’s understand what the term actually means, and discuss the most popular types of guaranteed business loans. What are guaranteed business loans? In simple terms, guaranteed business loans in the world of small business loans refer to loans that are secured or backed by a guarantee. The guarantee can be in the form of collateral, deposit, or an agreement. This essentially means that the lender is guaranteed to receive their money back even if the borrower fails to pay. When we talk about guaranteed business loans, we refer to loans with a personal guarantee or, more commonly, loans guaranteed by the small business administration (SBA). Let’s take a look at both these types. Personally guaranteed business loans As you understand from the term “personal,” when you make a personal guarantee on a business loan, you essentially agree to sell your assets to pay off the loan, if your business is unable to do so.
Read More
5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

Exchange-traded funds (ETF) have been gaining popularity in the investment sector for some time now. Along with mutual funds, they have been one of the most preferred investment options among investors. With investors having pumped in billions of dollars in ETFs by now, these funds sure seem like a lucrative investment avenue. However, financial experts suggest treading this path carefully so as to avoid unforeseeable losses. Here are a few mistakes that you can avoid while investing in high dividend ETFs: Overlooking long-term investment Looking at long-term goals is the golden rule when it comes to any type of investment. However, seasoned investors invest in ETFs on a short-term basis through a type of trading called intraday trade. This type of trading allows the investors to buy and sell stocks and other investments on the same day. However, if not thought out carefully, investing in high dividend ETFs through intraday trading can result in lower returns and higher trading costs. Buying an ETF simply based on its name This is one of the most common mistakes people make when investing in high dividend ETFs. Investors may think that an ETF’s name provides an insight into its investment reach, i.e., whether the ETF has local or/and global investors.
Read More
How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage provides the elderly access to equity in their homes and supplements their income. With its flexible repayment option, it gives homeowners more control over their money. However, the government has laid out strict rules and guidelines concerning reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. So, if you’re considering a reverse mortgage, read on to know the reverse mortgage eligibility criteria and the types of reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgage eligibility criteria The first criterion for a reverse mortgage is that the primary homeowner must be at least 62 years of age. If your spouse is under the age of 62, you might still be eligible if you meet other reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. If you’re not 62 or older than 62, then you won’t qualify for a reverse mortgage even if you satisfy the criteria mentioned below. You must be the primary resident of the home you’re seeking a reverse mortgage for. Note that vacation homes or rental properties do not qualify. You must either entirely own the house or have at least 50% equity in it. If you have any mortgage balance remaining while applying for a reverse mortgage, you must be in a financial position to pay off that balance.
Read More