The bathroom is one of the hotspots of germs and bacteria, which can lead to the spread of health problems like urinary tract infections, hepatitis A, and Salmonellosis. A clean bathroom is the indicator of a healthy, hygienic home. Several multipurpose cleaners and equipment are available to facilitate clean bathrooms with minimal effort. However, avoiding some common bathroom cleaning mistakes is essential to enhance the effectiveness of such cleaners and ensure a spic-and-span bathroom.
Not using different sponges for each surface
A sponge absorbs dust and dirt from the surfaces that it cleans. Therefore, using the same sponge to clean different surfaces does not help remove germs and bacteria from the bathroom; rather, it only transfers them from one surface to another. For this reason, one should use different sponges to clean each bathroom surface.
Forgetting to clean the toothbrush holder
A study by the National Sanitation Foundation listed the toothbrush holder as the third grimiest and germ-filled area in one’s home. Toothbrush holders are often unclean because wet toothbrushes are directly placed inside them. Consequently, the toothbrushes drip inside the holder, which collects bacteria and germs over time. Hence, toothbrush holders should be cleaned frequently to facilitate a germ-free bathroom.
Leaving spray-and-go cleansers on surfaces for long
Spraying cleansers on surfaces and not wiping them immediately can cause them to stick to the surfaces. Such cleansers can additionally breed bacteria and dust, leading to an unhygienic bathroom. Thus, spray-and-go cleansers must be wiped off surfaces within two minutes of spraying.
Using the same products for all bathroom surfaces
This is one of the most common bathroom cleaning mistakes to avoid. Every surface in the bathroom entails a different texture and has distinct cleaning requirements. For example, an abrasive surface cleaner should be used to remove molds or scum accumulated on a surface, whereas non-abrasive or mild cleaners are best suited for bathtubs and tiles. Abrasive cleaners should particularly be avoided on surfaces made of glass, metal, ceramic, plastic, and other such delicate materials.
Not cleaning the exhaust fan
An unclean exhaust fan can prevent air from passing through the duct and lead to the development of mildew and mold in the bathroom over time due to excessive moisture. Thus, cleaning the exhaust fan should be a part of one’s bathroom-cleaning process.
Forgetting to clean the bath mat
Bath mats are exposed to moisture around the clock and tend to collect bacteria, dust, and germs over time. However, a common bathroom-cleaning mistake is to forget cleaning the bath mat. Most bathroom mats can be cleaned using a washing machine. While selecting a bath mat, it is important to avoid ones that are not conducive to high temperatures, particularly if one is living in a region experiencing frequent humidity.
Mixing cleaning products
Mixing certain cleaning products can produce harmful chemicals and should be avoided. For example, mixing bleach and vinegar can lead to health repercussions like coughing, watery eyes, and breathing problems, while chloramine, the solution obtained by mixing together bleach and ammonia, can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. Thus, it is best to use such products in isolation or purchase cleaning solutions from reputed brands to avoid the negative consequences.
Not washing the shower curtain
Another common bathroom cleaning mistake is to overlook the importance of washing the shower curtain. The bathroom typically contains high levels of moisture, which can lead to the accumulation of mildew and mold. Thus, it is advisable to wash shower curtains at least four times a year.
Not dusting before cleaning
Dusting is a preliminary step before beginning the cleaning process because directly cleaning the bathroom surfaces can cause dust particles to circulate around the room and lead to allergies. Dry dust should be removed using a feather duster or microfiber towel before proceeding with the cleaning process.
Missing the bathroom corners
The corners are where dust and bacteria typically collect the most. Ignoring the corners of the bathroom leads to an incomplete cleaning process. It is ideal to clean bathroom corners with small, narrow brushes entailing long handles, which can easily navigate narrow spaces and remove the accumulated dust.
Ignoring excessive grout
Grout refers to the fluid that is used to fill in the gaps between tiles. It typically comprises water, sand, and cement and is required to hold tiles together. However, excessive grout accumulation can cause it to crumble and litter the floor of the bathroom. It is best to remove such grout from the tiles. A power tool may be used to remove excessive grout with ease.
Not using the exhaust fan
An exhaust fan helps remove moisture from the bathroom and prevents mildew and mold formation. Thus, it is important to use the exhaust fan during and after one’s bath to ensure the bathroom is clean and tidy.
Not cleaning the toilet brush
Although the toilet brush is an obvious Petri dish for bacteria and germs, most individuals overlook cleaning it. It is important to clean the toilet brush regularly by soaking it in bleach or ammonia solution for an hour.
Keeping the bathroom cluttered
A cluttered bathroom can cause chaos, leading to spillage and making the cleaning process tedious. A minimalist bathroom has all the necessary products, is well-organized, and does not contain excessive products. It is important to declutter the bathroom regularly and dispose of used bottles and other unwanted items so that the bathroom can be easily cleaned.
A person excited about agriculture would understand the joy of seeing the first little bud or a blooming flower. The positive effects of gardening go beyond enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your home – they work wonders on a person’s respiratory health. They are associated with mood enhancement and stress reduction. Gardening is a long-term activity demanding commitment and an understanding of each plant’s requirements. Some common gardening mistakes that one must avoid are listed below.
Using too much or too little mulch
Mulch is essential for plants to obtain the required nutrients for healthy growth. However, adding too much or too little mulch can prevent the plant from thriving, as mulch contains nitrogen, and excessive nitrogen levels can harm plants. In contrast, adding too little mulch can deprive the plant of the required nutrition. Thus, gardeners should understand the amount of mulch plants need for healthy development.
Treating all plants the same way
A common mistake several gardeners make is to treat all their plants equally. One size doesn’t fit all, even when it comes to plants. It is important to know the differences in each plant’s requirements and cater to them accordingly. For example, some houseplants, like lucky bamboo, survive in dryer conditions and should not be watered every day, whereas others, like dwarf rose, must be watered daily to survive. Seasoned gardeners understand what every plant needs.
Not considering the climatic conditions while choosing plants
The growth and blossoming of plants depend mainly on the climatic conditions of an area. For example, poppies, European roses, and Alpine plants will not be able to survive in tropical climates, as they require cold climatic conditions to thrive. In contrast, other plants like okra, tomatoes, peppers, and basil require abundant sunlight and cannot sustain in cold conditions. Thus, gardeners must consider the climatic conditions of their area while deciding what plants to grow.
Choosing the wrong spot to grow plants
Some areas of a garden or balcony may not receive the same amount of sunlight as others. Choosing the wrong spot to grow plants can cause them to become weaker with time and eventually wither due to insufficient sunlight. So, it is imperative to designate a spot with adequate sunlight to ensure that plants remain healthy.
Not removing the weeds frequently
Weeds can take up space in the garden and compete with the plant for sunlight, water, and nutrients. With time, weeds may cause plants to grow weak and lack essential nutrients. Therefore, gardeners should remove weeds from time to time. One can set reminders for removing weeds if required.
Avoiding crop rotation
Crop rotation helps retain soil nutrients without needing synthetic fertilizers and other inputs. Therefore, it should be an essential process in gardens to enhance soil health and increase biodiversity.
Not planting flowers that attract pollinators
Pollination is an essential process for plants to produce fruits and seeds. Bees, flies, beetles, and butterflies are common pollinators attracted by plants like sunflowers, lavender, cuphea, and calendula. Gardens should include at least 2-3 plants that attract pollinators.
Not leaving sufficient space between plants
Growing plants in congested environments can hamper plant growth and prevent each plant from receiving adequate nutrients. It can also increase the susceptibility of plants to contracting diseases. Therefore, growing plants 18-24 inches apart in gardens is advisable to ensure the space is not congested.
Placing plants too deeply into the soil
When transferring plants from pots to the garden, it is important to plant them only as deep as they were rooted in the pot. If mulch must be added, it should be placed an inch above ground level. Planting them too deeply in the soil can cause them to weaken and die early.
Pruning too early
While pruning is an essential aspect of gardening, over-pruning or pruning before time may cause one to remove the buds off their branches. Consequently, there may be no flowers in the plant during spring; therefore, it is important to be patient and prune only during spring.
Using too many chemical fertilizers
Chemical fertilizers may help ward off pests and insects; however, they may destroy the plants over time and harm health if any part of such plants is eaten. Therefore, it is advisable to replace chemical fertilizers with organic ones and use fertilizers only if the plants require them.
Working on wet soil
According to experts, working on wet soil can destroy its structure, requiring long recovery periods. So, it is important to wait for the soil to dry a little and begin working it when it is moist but not too wet.
Not harvesting ripe fruits, vegetables, and flowers
It is best to harvest fruits, vegetables, and flowers on time when they are ripe and ready. Leaving them on the plant can cause them to wither or rot eventually and become food for birds and insects.
Not experimenting with different gardening styles and plants
Stepping out of their comfort zone can help gardeners understand the skill better, as each plant has specific gardening requirements. It can serve as an enriching learning experience for gardeners and help them master the skill of gardening “on the field.”
Maintaining a healthy home garden is a hands-on task. You need to consider everything from the ideal weather to the best supplements for stimulating plant growth. This also includes getting rid of weeds—plant killers that can be a nuisance and prevent you from maintaining a lush, green outdoor space. So, you should keep an eye out for weeds and stop their growth. Here are 6 useful tips for managing and preventing weed growth:
Identify the type of weed
You may think all weeds are bad and should be removed. But it is important to identify the type so that you can choose the most effective countermeasures. For instance, many types of weeds are unaffected by pesticides and sprays. So, to avoid wasting time, first, you should try to identify the type of weed growing in your backyard. For example, broadleaf weeds grow flat and are not grassy or needle-like. Common examples here could be dandelions, clovers, or ground ivy. Grassy weed is a more common type that resembles regular grass but is easily identifiable due to its distinctive growth pattern. If you spot triangular or tube-like weeds that are not as flat as the blades of the grass, then these are regular wild creepers.
Use a potent spray
Some growths, like crabgrass, persist and dominate the entire garden. Crabgrass is an annual weed that thrives in hot and humid weather and targets barren spots in the garden. The weed can ruin the look of the garden and potentially produce over 150,000 seeds for a single plant during the growing season. One of the best ways to target its growth is by using Preen® Lawn Crabgrass Control. This product comes with pre- and post-emergent action to counter crabgrass overgrowth. The dual action formula comes in a granular form and is potent for 4 months after it has been applied. Alternatively, if you are looking for the best plant killer sprays, you can try the Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns, which is effective against 470 different types of weed growth. The spray covers up to 5,000 square feet and works well in both warm and cold climates. You can find several crabgrass killer products today intended for use in different temperatures and climates.
Manually pull out the weeds
Many types of weeds are resistant to chemical sprays. Here, manually yanking the overgrowth by the root can prevent the weeds from sprouting seeds and germinating. There are many techniques you can choose, like hand pulling—a popular technique where you identify the patches of weed growth and pull out the baby plants before they mature. But this is the most labor-intensive technique and is advisable only if you are dealing with smaller patches of weed growth. Alternatively, you can also use a weeder tool to get more control and exert minimal force while pulling out the weeds. Or, a scuffle hoe can help you tackle larger patches of overgrowth. Scuffle hoes can burrow deep and cut the plant at the roots while pulling a large patch of overgrowth in a single action. You can save time and effort by using such tools in the process. You can even apply a layer of herbicides or plant-killer sprays to tackle leftover roots.
Use organic herbicides
Herbicides are potent sprays that can control the growth of weeds around plants. These liquids come in handy in places where it is not possible to manually remove weeds. It is better to use organic herbicides that naturally kill the weed plants and avoid damaging any other growths in the vicinity. Corn gluten is a popular compound used to control the overgrowth of crabgrass and different types of lawn weeds. You can also consider a white vinegar-based herbicide to counter fast-growing weeds.
Try flame weeders
If you tend to your garden often, then a flame weeder to destroy weed growth can be a suitable option. This tool is designed to wipe out excess weed growth by torching the grass and burning off the excess in small patches. But the technique does not destroy the roots, so you will have to use the flame weeder several times in a growth cycle to properly tackle and address the problem. On the one hand, burnt weeds can be used as a supplement as it replenishes the soil with nutrients to aid the growth of healthy plants. Flaming also gets rid of pests that can thrive among the weeds.
Water just the cultivated plants
One of the common mistakes among first-time gardeners is watering the entire garden. But here, you are simply providing additional nourishment to the weeds along with the plants. Weeds mostly grow in patches, so you can strategically deprive these growths of all forms of nourishment. Over time, the weeds will wither away, leaving behind a clean patch ready for new plants. You can place drip soakers around plants and vegetation and deprive the weeds of any nutrition. While this does not ensure the complete removal of harmful weeds, it will still them from growing and starve the smaller weeds before they mature and deprive healthy plants of all nutrition.