Professional cleaner claims people make 1 mistake that stops house being clean

Keeping our houses clean can be a big chore, and for many of us, it's not something we want to spend our evenings after work doing when we'd much rather be doing something we enjoy.

This can leave us wanting to get the chores out of the way as quickly as possible, whizzing a vacuum cleaner around the living room at record speed and quickly wiping a duster over our shelves just to get the job over and done with.

But according to one professional cleaner, not doing things properly could mean that our homes aren't actually clean.

In a video on TikTok, a cleaner named Harriet said there's a big mistake most people make when cleaning their houses, and it's all to do with how much patience you have - and whether you read the directions on your cleaning products.

She shared a clip of herself cleaning a sink and said that most people spray the sink with a bathroom cleaning spray and then immediately begin wiping with a cloth. However, this is not the right way to do things.

Harriet shared that most cleaning products will have instructions on the back that say you should leave the product to sit for a certain amount of time before you start scrubbing. This can allow the product to get to work, and can make sure you really lift all of the dirt and grime from the area you're trying to clean.

In her video, she said: "This is cleaning. Product sprayed, sat for the approximate time it says on the bottle, and then scrubbed with an antibacterial liquid. Properly dried and polished."

Instead of using a cloth to wipe away the product, Harriet went in with a washing up brush that had a sponge on one end and space in the handle to fill it with washing up liquid or another antibacterial product.

She then showed the results after the clean, and the sink was sparkling - including the tap and the plug which had both been dull before she started thanks to limescale buildup.

Commenters on the video agreed with Harriet's tip, with many saying they get "suspicious" when people say it doesn't take them long to clean their houses.

One person said: "My tiny bathroom takes me over an hour to clean. If you take less time to clean a bathroom, I automatically assume it isn't actually clean."

Another added: "Nothing wrong with a daily wipe over for maintenance and a weekly deep clean."

Tips to maintain a clean home

Create a Cleaning Schedule:
Break tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly chores. Consistency prevents messes from piling up.

Declutter Regularly:
Keep only what you need and love. Donate or discard unused items to reduce clutter.

Make Your Bed Every Morning:
A made bed instantly makes your bedroom look tidier and sets a productive tone for the day.

Clean as You Go:
Wipe down kitchen counters after cooking, rinse dishes immediately, and put things back in their place after use.

Tidy Up Before Bed:
Spend 10-15 minutes each night picking up toys, folding blankets, or putting away stray items.

Use Storage Solutions:
Baskets, bins, and organisers help keep items sorted and out of sight.

Do a Load of Laundry Regularly:
Stay on top of laundry to avoid overwhelming piles.

Wipe High-Touch Surfaces:
Regularly clean doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls to keep germs at bay.

Involve the Whole Family:
Assign age-appropriate chores to everyone in the household.

Keep Cleaning Supplies Handy:
Store cleaning products in convenient locations so you can quickly tackle messes as they occur.